My 280AI barrel is 26" and I built it as a beanfield/clearcut rifle to be used out of deer stands...so I don't expect it will be too cumbersome for my purposes.. I left it that long intentionally to get all the velocity I could out of my AI...but that being said..if it turns out to be too cumbersome or my hunting style changes I can always lop it off... I used my 35 Whelen in the S TX brush hog hunting last Dec and it it wasn't a problem with it's 24" barrel...so an extra 2"s might not be a big deal for me...
The 338-06 barrel I have ordered from Shaw is supposed to be 24"...but I am already thinking about shortening it to 22"....but I will wait and see how it turns out before I make a final decision on shortening it...decisions, decisions, decisions....
Zeeriverrat..