What's the optimum barrel length for 7.62x39?

[trigger'06]

I'm looking at various options for a bolt-action 7.62X39 rifle...some of which have quite short barrels. If I got a BCL Bison with a 12" barrel, am I giving up much or anything with such a short barrel? Would a 14" or 16" be better?

My 10.5" Ar in 7.62x39 was surprisingly accurate, as in easily ringing 8" gong at 100 with iron sights.
Velocity was good as well, IIRC around 2200fps.
And the fireball, well, Priceless.
I would have converted my Ar to a manual action if the barrel was long enough for legal hunting in B.C.