I am looking to buy a new barrel for my encore. I was told that a 24" 30-06 barrel would greatly improve the preformance of the 06 over a 22" barrel. I have seen a 26" barrel for this,and would like to know if the extra 2" would be worth getting the 26" over the 24" . Even with a 26" barrel the gun would still have an overall length of most 22" bolt guns.Most of the hunting would be for whitetail or bear,with an elk trip one day.