Does anyone who has one of these have actual chronographed velocities they could share? Really close to picking one up but a bit worried about that 16.5" barrel. Thanks.

I have a 20" ruger .308, but don't have my data handy. I would expect the 16 1/2" tube to be down 200-250 fps over a 22" barrel, whereas the 20" barrel is only down 50-70 fps over a 22" barrel. You'd be best off looking at 15" pistol data and adding 50 fps to see what it'll do.

Generally, high intensity bottle neck rounds lose 25-30 fps per inch in the 20-26" length, but shorter then 20", and you start dropping 50 fps per inch. With a straightwall cases the velocity loss is fairly consistant at 25-30 fps per inch from pistol length on up.

I personally would choose a larger bore in a gun with such a short barrel, or go with the 20" barrel ultralight. Of the ruger compacts I've handled, the stocks were bulbous and chuncky.

I picked up one of these for my boy a couple of years ago when he turned 11. I started him out pretty easy with 125 & 130 grainers in the 2,100 - 2,200 fps range. The only full-house loads I have developed and run over the chrono are with 150 grainers:

46.0 gr Varget - 150 gr Nosler B-tip - 2,630 fps
46.0 gr Varget - 150 gr Partition - 2,595 fps

The way I see it, a decent hunting bullet at 2,700 fps is all you should really need for most med size big game. I'd let him try it on a moose for sure and I'm hoping like hell he (or I) draw a Dall sheep permit next week (Alaska.)

The pencil-thin barrel is a bit problematic in getting consistent grouping. 1.25" for 3-shots is pretty easy at 100 yds/meters with the Ballistic tip. The partition hard to get under 2.0" Still working on this. They don't want to shoot to the same POI either.

FWIW - I have a bit of reduced load data. 125 grain Sierra's down to 1,500 fps are accurate and good practice for the kid. 125-135 grainers at 2,200 fps with take our Sitka blacktails too.

I've looked at these but always wondered just how much muzzleblast there is.

I've got a 16 1/2 " REM titanium in 308. 165 gr. at 2540fps. 3x9 Leupold compact scope. 6lbs. Recoil the same as my 30/06 which is 9lbs.,shooting 180 or 200 gr loads. 308 is loud. I love a carbine style rifle.Have several.