Barrel length on my 1990 BRNO 375H&H has been reduced from 25" to 21" without re-contouring. Chronographed velocity dropped from 2530fps to 2480fps. We live in a modern world where rifles are loaded into vehicles and aircraft constantly. The 4" difference makes that much easier. At 2480fps I have recovered only 1 solid bullet in 19 shots at buffalo and elephant. The rest penetrated straight through. The barrel is long enough when the rifle handles sweetly and velocity is adequate for the task at hand.