My vote is for a magnum or heavy magnum contour. Length doesnt matter that much, but 24" is probably a good medium. If you want it shorter, easy to get cut and recrowned. I would jump all over a 6.5 in a heavy magnum, or magnum. Maybe even a 7mm. Either at 22 or 24" would make a sweet deer rifle, that you could also put a few round through at the range!