Fritz Kraut.
I have never beeen an advocate for short and light barrels.
All my bolt action hunting guns have 24" barrels and my Ruger #1 and H&R Ultra 25-06 have 26" barrels.

A longer barrel helps to control motion better at off hand with the extra forward weight, puts the muzzle blast further from your ears, and of course has more velocity with what ever amount of powder you use, and in general they are easier to shoot accurately.

Yes they are heavier if you have to carry them all day on your back, which in my case I don't need to do.

The long Manlicher type forearms have never broken any accurcy records either. Although they look very nice and trim. As a woods rifle the Ruger #1R 20" should be fine, the 7x57 cartridge is outstanding.

The Ruger #1 action is very strong and can be hand loaded to max 60kpsi.