20 or 22 in. rifle barrel

I'm in the market for a new, light weight rifle. Something I can carry up & down the mtns all day, hunting elk. I usually hunt in the timber, & 250 yards has been my longest shot so far. Most of the elk I've shot have been under 150 yards. I would want to be able to have the confidence, in the rifle, to take a 300 to 400 yard shot, if I had the opportunity. My question is, at 250 yards or less, does a 22' barrel give any noticable difference in speed &/or energy, over the 20' barrel? If so, how much? How much difference is there in a 300-400 shot? I'm planning to buy a .30-06. Bullet choice could be, 180 gr. Nosler Partition, or 165 gr. Hornady, or Hornady Light Magnum, in 165, or 180 gr..

check out the Remington M700 Mountian Rifle or the M700 BDLSS. the BDLSS has the same stock shape as the mountian rifle, but it has the standard weight barrel. i would also suggest you look at the Detachable Magazine option...i wouldnt buy one without it.

as far as bullets i think the 180gr is the way to go. do you handload?....don't forget the Barnes X Bullet.