Hi Jaco

Because I lke short, handy opensight rifles. If you are putting a scope on a rifle, you are spoiling its balance anyway, so you might as well have a slightly longer barrel. With the scope, you can then also actually use the slight increase in velocity that comes from longer barrel. (read- longer shots.)

While a longer sighting radius does benefit taregt shooters, I would hardly worry about it on a rifle intended for DG. Rather learn to shoot it quick and accurate than worry about accuracy. What difference will 0.5 MOA better accuracy make at fifty yards? None

Karl Stumpfe