Encore .270 Barrel length

[Possum]

I understand the minimum barrel length needed for a rifle, but what is a good length for a "short" rifle barrel that will still perform well.  I want a .270 rifle barrel for my Encore, but I don't want to sacrifice a lot of performance for a short barrel. I would like it as short as possible so I can carry it easier and make it lighter.  20"?  I think the standard is 24" for the older regular Encore barrels. 

[Lone Star]

From a series of velocity tests run in 2003 for RifleShooter magazine.  The same barrel was cut back, recrowned and shot for velocity at each length. 
The .270 WCF load was a 130-grain bullet over H4350 powder:

Length...Velocity
27".........3115 fps
26".........3093
25".........3071
24".........3054
23".........3035
22".........3027
21".........3001



.

[MS10point]

I personally would not want to go less than 20" with a .270 class gun if for no other reason than muzzle blast and rise. I don't know if you already have one or are looking to purchase but you might be surprised how short an encore is with the 24" standard barrel. I gave my Rem. Model 7 to my son and bought an encore .280 24'" barrel as my new "short and light " gun and was surprised that it was almost 2" shorter than the Mod. 7 with a 20" barrel. I also have a 26" .35 whelen barrel and it is not cumbersome but I deffinately don't think I would like the 28".
My 2 cents!
Tim