Did the Remington 722 in .244 (6mm) Rem 'grow' from 24" to 26" between '55 and '56?

[pgtr]

I have a Remington 722A in .244 with the earlier 1:12 twist. Its barrel stampings decode to October 1955. It has a 26" barrel. With scope it's about 8.8 lbs.

In looking at Rem's 1955 catalog page 8, it shows the .244 as being a 24" barrel. However it also notes the .244 as being about 1 lb. heavier than other 721A chambered rifles at about 8 lbs. A 'Varmint' rifle is also on the same page as specifically having a 26" barrel but only in .222.

http://cartridgecollectors.org/content/catalogs/REMINGTON/1955-Rem-DuPont-Retail Catalog.pdf

Jump forward to the 1956 catalog page 6, and a longer barreled ''Varmint' rifle is not called out on the bolt action page. But the .244 and .222 are noted as having longer overall lengths of 45.25" and again 8 lbs. That suggests that the .244 indeed had a 26" barrel in this catalog.

http://cartridgecollectors.org/content/catalogs/REMINGTON/1956-Rem-DuPont-Retail Catalog.pdf

Question: Did Remington always offer the early .244s in 26" and the '55 catalog was not clear on this? Or did they lengthen in for '56? Or am I not reading the catalog correctly?

Thanks,

 

[Scorch]

The catalog isn't real clear, but it does say that a 244 weighs about 1 lb more, so that would most likely be the 26" barrel on the 244 vs the 24" barrel for the 257 Roberts (same case, slightly larger bullet in the 257).

 

[old roper]

The first catalog they priced 7lb 244 @ $82.80 and the 8lb 244 @ $89.95 and I'm just guessing but that would be for 26" barrel.