I second the 25-06. Mine is also 15", but a factory barrel. Bought on a whim because price was great. Still own it 4 years later. I do handload and use Sierra 100 Pro Hunter; those go about 2800 fps. Devastating on smaller stuff like ground hogs and coyotes. Lethal on deer, too. Recoil is surprisingly light; just a shudder, really.