Personally, I think part of this type of thinking is because benchrest shooters shoot long, heavy barrels. These are guys that are going for the absolute pinnacle of accuracy, and the smallest of details affects that pursuit. Have you guys ever changed your holdover after accounting for the humidity that day? Me either. There are issues such as barrel whip, but unless you're on a benchrest I don't think such issues would be noticeable to an average, or slightly above average shooter. A heavy barrel will minimize wiggles on the bench too, but for me it doesn't really help with that in the field. I think a much lighter rifle will offer a steadier rifle for the shot in the field, as I sometimes feel the fatigue of holding up my 26" bull barreled rifle on stand. Not to mention you have that much less to carry around... I would be much happier with a light contour barrel than the bull contour I currently have, but I bought the bull under the same ideas that you stated... it being my first centerfire rifle, I quickly realized my mistake. Don't get me wrong, the rifle shoots well, but I have no doubt a Tikka T3 would be right there with it, and I kick myself everytime I walk by those Tikkas in the local Gander Mountain! Bottom line, I vote for the standard barrel, especially since you won't be trying to reach way out there with the .22 mag, nor will the .22 mag heat up a barrel as fast as a centerfire. Look for a high quality barrel, a good barrel in the lightweight form should shoot much better than even a bull of a lesser quality. Good luck, let us know what you decide on.