The 7X57 can shoot! I have had two Rugers in this caliber, plus three Mausers (two Oberndorfs, one Venez. M 24 FN). All sohot well, but the Rugers have bee superb. Sorry to hear of your difficulties with your Ruger '06. But now you can cook up some loads for your 8X57 that will be as good as any .30/'06! Here's three shots from my Ruger No. 1A, 140-grain Nosler @ 2998 FPS using WW 760 and Fed. 210 primers. It has always shot like this, with all bullet weights from 140 up thru 175-grains.