I have 5 rifles chambered in 270. The shortest is a Ruger 77 RSI with an 18.5" barrel, three Remingtons have 22" barrels, and a CLR has a 24" barrel. I find the muzzle blast of the 18.5" 270 to be unpleasant. Not a problem when hunting, but certainly noticeable off the bench.
Since the Ruger is a stalking rifle, rather than an over-watch rifle, the shorter barrel make the package handy and while the velocity is a bit lower, it isn't enough lower such that there is a practical difference in performance.
My primary stalking rifle for elk is a 22" Remington 760 in 270, while my primary over-watch rifle for elk is a 24" CLR in 270. The 18.5" Ruger 77 RSI is a hanger queen.
