Yote Buster - Both calibers you mentioned will work efficiently with either 24 or 26 inch barrels with very little velocity lost or gained to make much difference at most hunting ranges. Thus, you can make "a lot" about loosing or gaining 25fps per inch based on whether you like the "shorter" one for its "handiness" or the "longer" one for its ability to "milk" the most out of cartridge. I personally own two "Whelens" (22 and 24" BBL), and one .375 with a 24" BBL and do not like bolt action rifles with barrels over 24" because most handle like a "cane pole". As you can readily deduce, my logic is very "subjective" as most opinions are regarding length, weight, looks, and design of a given firearm. (I'm of average height and weight; someone taller or shorter will have a different opinion.) Most gun "loonies" (like myself) argue about the various aspects of our sport because we have enough knowledge to "split hairs" over any and all things regarding firearms and enjoy the "chase". I prefer the .35 Whelen (I particulary like the new CDL stock on the Remington) over the .375 for U.S. hunting because it is more comfortable to shoot, can be made in a lighter gun, and has more than enough power to take any animal in North America. Having said that, I'll take my .375 to Afica when I go again, and would consider it first if I won the lottery and could "book" a Brown Bear hunt in Alaska. Your opinion is the one that matters the most; I don't really think you can go wrong with either of those great calibers if the rifle fits you "naturally" (consider the balance difference with a scope and mounts) and comes to the shoulder as if it belongs there! Regards, Riley