I have had a couple of long rifle barrels and now prefer 24". But to each his own, the Win M70 classics came in 26" if my memory is holding up.
If velocity is the reason for looking at 26" barrels, I could recommend looking at Wby. Mark V with 26" barrel in a 270 Wby. or 7mm Wby. mag., then you would have something that is really fast.
