I visited a gun shop in mtns. of NC this week and held several new camo M700 7mm-08s. One was a 22" barrel and one was an 20" barrel and gun was slight bit smaller. With the 7mm-08 would either barrel shoot well at 200-300 yards?

I have a 7-08 in a 788 with an 18 1/2" barrel and will do the trick so either of the two you were looking at would too. If you're looking for a lightweight carry rifle, the 20" version would be the cat's meow.