Good offhand rifle—point & shoot!

Agree that bottle guns tend to be a bit more front heavy than cylinder guns. You pay the price for higher shot count.

Cylinder guns: I recommend Artemis m16 / diana outlaw as a very well balanced and light to carry cylinder gun. Low cost, accurate at 50-60 yds, and refined. High shot count. Regulated too.

Also recommend the extremely well built and accurate Gamo Chacal. Compact, fine synthetic thumbhole stock. Well silenced and no need for a reg. Not pellet fussy either. Can't beat the price, it is comparable in quality to the much more expensive Brocock Compatto.

Bottle gun: love my FX Royale .22 ... In a totally different price range than the above cylinder guns though.

Success! 🐦
 
...I don't know if this helps but the Benjamin Cayden I just picked up is a bit too long and heavy but it points very naturally for me and is well balanced...

...the weight helps in obtaining a steady off hand position...the shape of the stock may help too but the rifle seems well suited to shooting offhand...

...this was a major factor in my decision to keep it as I envision some offhand shooting at nearby small game that may or may not be on the move...

...it is not compact nor light but I could call it fast handling and steady...

...these two qualities are mutually exclusive so it is worth noting them balanced so well in this particular rifle, IMHO...

...right now mine has a red dot sight on it and it swings like a big shot gun...


 
A rifle I have always thought would be cool to have is a Steyr Hunting 5 carbine!

Fast follow up shots since it's semiauto, should put all 5 into 1/2" at 40Y, great ergos and points nice when I played with one at the ShotShow. The only reason I never bought one is I'm waiting for a high cap removable mag version like the Steyr ProX, which is not available in the USA.
 
First, you have to consider that I would probably make anyone's top 10 list as as the worst off-hand shooter in the world. That said, my HW100 K (carbine) laminate would be my favorite. The full length rifle is a bit long and muzzle heave for my taste, and the laminate offers the adjustable comb, which I find very desirable, It also has a very good silencer. IMO you are right about the bullpups. My Veteran is one of my favorite rifles, but it is indeed harder to shoot well.