I am sure that this question has been asked many times, but .22 barrels vary from 14 inches or less to 24 inches or more.

I believe that .22 powder "burns out" after about 14 inches, so why need a longer barrel, other than the standard answer of a longer barrel may or may not give better accuracy.

The debate is: A friend suggested I get a 16 inch barrel (CZ in this case) as opposed to the 20 inch barrel, so I could at least compensate the balance of the rifle with a moderator if needed. This sounds like a fair argument but is it?