Winchester 70: I have a "22 Rifle with a barrel 27 1/4" long" - it is one of the most accurate and deadly (on small game and Varmints!) Rifles I have ever seen or owned (and I have owned a couple hundred of them!)!
The appeal of a barrel "longer than 24" is the increased stability when aiming (especially afield!) - also known as accuracy.
The mass (length) of that barrel adds to the accuracy - I am certain.
Witness also the very accurate and popular longer barreled Winchester Model 52's (with 28" barrels!) and Remington Model 37 Targets (with 28" barrels) etc.
I do know this - if you are a small Ground Squirrel you DO NOT want to experience ME aiming my loaded Remington 40X rimfire at you!
My Remington 40X with heavy 27 1/4" barrel is exceptionally accurate.
My 27 1/4" barreled Remington 40X produces accuracy that a 20" barreled Marlin Mountie could never even hope to achieve.
Yeah there are benefits and attributes that "appeal" to some (many) of us with the longer than 24" barreled 22 Rifles.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
