I've always been biased toward longer barrels. Why? I'd like to offer a better explanation for that than Robert Meuller would, but I'm not sure I have one. For me, I think it's because I've always dual-purposed my rifles as deer/Varmint rigs. I figure I'll use 'em stalking and I'll use 'em prone. When I got my Cooper Custom Classic in .243, I opted for a 24" bbl for this purpose and it fits the bill nicely (and looks good doing it). I do believe however, that some cartridges are better served with a longer barrel but some factory offerings seem to offer standard cartridges in barrels that are too short. I don't think a .25-06 should have a 22" bbl., for example. I'm sorry, I just don't.
Anyway, I do have rifles with 26" barrels too but I still think 24" is the best compromise (for me).
OP, you are asking good questions. At this stage, I would not make a complexity out of it. 500 yards is one heck of a long way. If 24" will suffice, it seems like the best compromise to me. That gives you the extra 2" to accommodate a brake if you want without having the thing be a mile long.
I'll admit that I too have spent too much time obsessing over all these shooting scenarios I could get myself into and whether or not 2-4" of bore is going to make or break the shot. 99 times out of 100 it won't.
Anyway, I do have rifles with 26" barrels too but I still think 24" is the best compromise (for me).
OP, you are asking good questions. At this stage, I would not make a complexity out of it. 500 yards is one heck of a long way. If 24" will suffice, it seems like the best compromise to me. That gives you the extra 2" to accommodate a brake if you want without having the thing be a mile long.
I'll admit that I too have spent too much time obsessing over all these shooting scenarios I could get myself into and whether or not 2-4" of bore is going to make or break the shot. 99 times out of 100 it won't.