I do prefer heavier longer barrels on some rifles that will see use for long range or high volume shooting. I'm concerned about the barrel weight stressing the action so I bed the stock out to the point of ballance of the barreled action. I hope this will relieve any stress on the action from that heavy barrel hanging out there. I know it won't keep a long barrel from saging, which is why i like heavier barrels if I am going to have them cut long. Any barrel 24 inches long is going to be at least a #4 contour, 26 inch barrels are at least a #5.
Heavier barrels seem to have more stable harmonics under the heat of high volume shooting. Longer barrels seem to be easier for me to hold steady from a sand bag rest for long range bean field deer shooting or prairie dog shooting in the next zip code.
I don't really choose a long barrel because it will give me an additional 50 fps per inch, but it's a nice extra that I won't turn down. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Those are just my observations and opinions bassed on my experience. If anyone has a more educated or experienced theory please share it with us.
