I don't know, I prefer a longer barrel myself. My opinion - for what its worth is that the longer barrel make more efficient use of heavier powder charges, give you a longer sighting plane for more precise aiming, and the heavier weight out front, at least for me, balances the rifle better allowing for a more stable hold should I need to shoot offhand. I believe that is the one reason I prefer my 32" barreled MLs over my 28" barreled ones.
But you know what they say about opinions? Some people prefer shorter barrels and some longer. At times I hunt some pretty nasty thick brush (mtn laurel/greenbriar) and I've never found the longer barrels a hinderence.