By the way I voted for the 26" barrel. I have one already, and would like the shorter barrel to fit on the handlebars of my snow machine/fourwheeler, but the 26 inch barrel would be more practical for other hunters. There fore that the one I think should be made. And if I had two, I would not feel so bad about cutting one off to the needed length. Maybe on down to 20 or 18 inches. I already have one .35 Whelen with an 18" barrel, but it's on a Mauser action. About two inches too long. I used the 18" barrel gun to shoot a Grizzly about 8 years ago. Bad situation, bear was too close, and smelled blood. One shot, dead bear. I can't praise the .35 Whelen enough, saved my bacon. Hunting in Alaska sometimes gets exciting, keeps the old heart pumping. When out with one of my .35 Whelens, I carry the gun loaded with 250gr Noslers. I also carry some cartridges loaded with 158gr pistol bullets, in the event that I run into something smaller. Sometimes while sitting on a stand a cayote, or wolf will come by and that way I'm ready.