Alan, bbl life is a non issue for me and the 260, 47 and Creed class rounds. The Magnums, 284 and '06 based rounds would break my pocketbook and make me want to buy a lathe and turn my own
26" does help, about 100 fps more than a 22" I'd guess. Not bad at all considering you are getting more or less 270/140 speeds or right at it, and higher bc bullets.
You will do very well. Looking fwd to my 260 project to wring out what it will do. Running a 23" for handling, not worried about a little loss in potential, should be fine. I may try RL17 in the 260 since others are getting good results in various small bore rounds.
Keep us posted.
6.5 RM is a nice round, more balanced I'd say than a WSM and better bore life. North, I'd guess they are very close to say the 284 and '06 rounds in capacity? Given the 350 RM is about equal of the Whelen.
