I kinda like the 24 1/2" bl. on my M46 and will leave it such. The length of my 2 mediums, the 9.3x57 and the .385/06 IMP are almost identical, with the .375 weighing 1 1/2 pounds more at 9 pounds sans scope. It needs it, actually, as it boots pretty hard. I'd not want it any lighter. From the FPE category, getting 4,200fpe from an '06 case hits at both ends.
: Unless the stock is quite straight, don't you find the shorter the barrel, the higher the muzzle rise?
; With iron sighted stocks, muzzle rise will be fairly high.
; In thinking it over, the velocity of the short 9.3x62 might surprise you with 286gr., if driven by BLC2. The muzzleflash may or may not be excessive, but I'd lay odds it will run over 2,300fps. Since the original loads ran 2,175fps or so, anything over that is gravy.