WWW sir the one that balances better in your arms would be the best one to get. For offhand shooting I like rifles that are just slight nose heavy rather than butt heavy. Everybody is different so go handle each one and see which one fits you best. I don't think 4 inches is going to make a huge difference in accuracy. Good luck on your quest.

Signalman 🚦

 

I’m using the oem bbl with an oryx chassis stock and Timney trigger on my CZ 457 varmint. that combo along with an Athlon Target dot scope makes for a very comfortable and very accurate offhand and bench rest bullseye shooter.

 

What barrel length? 16 or 20 I'm looking at both i heard 16 is better?

 

The 16” is maybe easier to carry, but for many people the 20 is easier to shoot offhand, as it “sets still” easier.
My Pro Varmint is 16, but it sits on a bipod, and I swapped a 16 into my Royal simply to get 1/2x28 threads and the wood stock keeps the weight right, but I sure do love the Jaguar and the 28” barrel!

My synthetic with a 16” stainless sporter barrel is pretty easy to pack around and shoot.

 

I have both and they are both accurate but I think the 20” is a little more consistent and I think the reason for that is the extra weight forward ! Good luck with whatever you go with !

 

I've seen graphs that 16 is best powder performance. Just want to plink and compete with myself only. Don't want a chassis type or one that is to light

 

That may be where the powder is done , but there is way more tloa bullets flight pAth than that. Justl look at at who is winning tournaments.
Did you know the reason rifle length minimum is 16 inches , not eighteen like a shot gun was to facilitate the civilian sales of the M -1 Carbine. As it had only a 16 inch barrel.

 

Actually I’ve been lead to believe all the powder that’s going to burn is gone in the 1st couple inches of barrel no matter the cartridge, some before the bullet leaves the case mouth, and the expanding gases take over from that point.
The distance the bullet travels in the barrel under enough pressure to keep it increasing in velocity is what most consider the “optimal” barrel length. 22lr is often said to get the largest Percentage of its speed from a barrel of about 16”. That isn’t to say it won’t get a bit of additional velocity with a longer barrel, just that it will be a minor amount.

 

Its not speed that determine’s accuracy. Its how little the variations in speed between rounds is that does so. the bullet starts dropping as soon as it leaves the barrel. By having alonger barrel the bullet slows down the slower it goes the less the raw speed variation is, ie the more a curative is. The longer the barrel the less time it spends dropping, again a good thing.
The optimal lenght of a 22 barrel is between 24 and 28 inches , and then the process starts to reverse

 

I agree with @Toomany22s. From the research I have seen on this subject the term to search for is "Mach Trimming". A longer barrel will generally see more consistent velocities.

 

I've shot a ProVarmint with a 16" barrel, an @1 with a 24" barrel, and own 2 with 20½" barrels and a Jaguar with a 28" barrel.

Get whichever one you think will suit your style of shooting the best. They will all be accurate enough for your intended purpose.

 

Varmint type rifles are usually fired from a rest/bipod are more for accuracy at longer ranges not so much off hand shooting. I'd prefer the 20" barrel in a heavy varmint type rifle. That said, I had a 452 varmint model and sold it because it wasn't real accurate. My little scout shoots much better and fills that need despite the short thin barrel. Go figger.

 

heres a 50 yd lot testing target from mine, cz457 pro varmint 16” barrel, stock rifle, super sniper 12x. almost a year old target, but sk std works well and i see little variation lot to lot so far

 

I personally own the 457 varmint with the 20.5” barrel and it shoots fantastic. I purchased the pro varmint stock and mounted it tonight. It may be the perfect match.