Just because the barrel is short, does not mean it has a grossly arched trajectory.

Guide gun (18 1/2"bl.) by Marlin, in my buddy's locker, uses 49.0gr. Re#7 - straight from Speer's loading manual.

With the flat point 400gr. Barnes (OS) he uses, we both chronographed it at just over 2,000fps - 2,004fps from my machine and 2,007fps from his. These speeds are 150fps higher than noted in the manual. His rifle shows normal, light pressure with them. The Mauser action is even stronger than the Marlin.

If he wished, he could drive the 350gr. Speers are about 2,100fps from a 2" case (1/10" short).

With a scope, it is easily a 300 yard moose rifle.

When I lived in Smithers in the late 70's, I put together a Siamese Mauser for a friend & helped him develop loads for it.

We found it easily used the same loads in the 2.1" case, that I was using in my .458 American (2"). Thus, from the 22" bl. (same as mine) he was driving 350gr. Hornady's at 2,300fps, 400gr. Barnes Spitzers at 2,150fps and 500gr. Hornadys at 2,060fps.

There are no flies on that rifle or round.

Personally, I think the rifle needs a pistol-gripped stock and a longer barrel, but for a close range, up to 300yard rifle, it fills it's purpose for sure.

Surprisingly, we also found the 300gr. Sierra FN to be a good moose bullet when driven at 2,200fps as well, from my bother's .45/ 3-1/4" Sharps.