I've always liked shorter barrel rifles going back to my first a 8mm Mauser cut to 18" in 1968....first year a 450 Bushmaster could be used in Michigan Limited Zone only rifle I could find was a AR-15 with 20" so it was used and but my eye was on a 16" when it was available....
I use a 308 Win. in the UP with a 18" barrel....lot easer using in a box blind....