I have several shorter rifles for treestand hunting. They are my Howa .243 Youth, Ruger M77/44, Marlin Guide Gun, and a Winchester M94.
The Howa has a very thin 20" barrel and a 2-7X33 VX2, the 77/44 has a 1-4X20 VX2, the Guide gun is equipped with a FX-II 2.5X20 Ultralight, and the M94 has a Williams receiver sight.
I'll take one of those is I know I'll be up in a tree, but I'm not against carrying them around on the ground, either. Conversely, I have several rifles that are large, and I may climb with one of those. I may decide to change my hunting method, or conditions may make the choice for me.
The terrain I typically hunt means that shots are usually short-range and in somewhat thick vegetation, so the shorter rifles are generally easier to move about with.
