Welcome from Idaho biggest state in the USA, after you pound it out flat that is ...... well barrel length is all dependent on what you plan to do with it, if you are just going to plunk it up on a bench and shoot paper or steel the length does not matter but!!!!! if you ever want to hunt with it think long and hard about barrel length. with a 24 inch semi bull barrel and a nightforce scope the y are made about 5 miles from me you are looking at 20 lbs and you will not hunt with it no way no how unless hunting is sitting in a tower or something like that , and that is each to his own but you came to the right place to find out... good luck...