I have a Compass Lake Douglas 16", 1-8 SS barrel on my shorty.
It's fun and easy to use for scoped benchrest at my 100 yard range.
It's a flat top and I've shot it competitivly with Iron sights at my local 100 yard ATC. While it'll hammer with the scope-when rested, it's a greater challenge shooting competitively with Iron Sights.
The distance between the front and rear sight on the shorties does not lead itself to the best possible sight picture.
For fun, it can't be beat.
For any serious competion, it'll put you at a disadvantage.
While it's 1-8 barrel is suitable for heavier loads, I suspect the short barrel lets a lot of energy out the front. I found mine did well with .52 SMK's and Black Hills 60's. While it shot 77's ok, I didn't see the same tight patterns the other loads were capable of.
Just my opinion.