Hi
Just going back through all these posts to see if anyone else has shown an interest in the 7x57AI. I had my FN M98 rebarrelled in 7x57AI a couple years ago and have done quite a bit of range work with it and have accumulated a lot of data.
I've killed three deer with it so far and couldn't ask for more in a deer rifle.

I have a 7x57 Ackley with a 26" Douglas #4 barrel built on a Remington 700 short action. I know it is not supposed to shoot well in this configuration (according to the "experts"), but accuracy stays around the 1/2" mark with just about any bullet weight--even with the bullet seated very deep encroaching on the powder space. I also have a 7mm-08, .280 Ackley Imp and a .284 Winchester--love them all. Every rifle is different and there are not any hard and fast rules--except start low and work up.