C'mon Super - if a Whelen needs a 25" barrel to burn, a .30-06 would need 34"!!! While it's nice to have extra length, it's not really a "need." A 35W was one of my first custom rifles, and WAS my first custom big game hunting rifle. I put a 20" tube on it as a brush busting carry rifle. Wasn't winning any drag races, but it was short and handy, and it punched like the hammer of Thor.

It's nice getting the extra velocity, and I expect that is why they made it a 25" instead of a 22". Pick up as much speed as they can on a relatively slow flying cartridge. Of course, a brake on a 200-250grn pill is always nice.

For a break action rifle, I wouldn't balk at carrying a 25" tube. I often carry 26" bolt guns, and they often feel incredibly long in hand and shoulder slung. But a break action 25" barreled rifle is most likely SHORTER than a 22" barreled bolt gun.