There's nothing particularly special about the Noveske gas length, just have to match up the tube length for physical fit. "Optimized" is a funny word, as it sounds like it means a lot, but in real world application, it means almost nothing. Here are all of the things which must be in congress for that length to be "optimized," and changing any single item from this list changes the dynamic: gas port position (length), barrel length, muzzle device, bore diameter, port diameter, gas tube diameter, buffer spring strength, buffer weight, carrier weight, bullet weight, powder used, powder charge... The Noveske is almost a rifle length, but not quite, and a mid-length with an adjustable gas block will give you better control to optimize, with a lower pressure impulse than the Noveske length.

So what might be optimal for one bullet is not for the rest, what is optimal for one powder is not for the rest. And more importantly, what is "optimal" for one application might not be for another. I run about twice the cyclic rate in my 3-Gun rifles as I do in my hunting rifles, all of them run reliably. But one kicks less, and one shoots faster.

In over 15yrs of building hundreds of AR's, my experience has been such a shortened gas system with an adjustable gas block is the real solution. You can make a short gas system run like a long one, but you cannot make a long one run like a short one.

Mid length, KAC intermediate, Noveske intermediate, it's really all marketing. A sloppily engineered solution to a gas flow and pressure balancing act. Locking into one length is just as much of a mistake as any other, and just as correct. An AGB gives you versatility to optimize the rifle to any load, powder, or bullet weight.

Your expectation for "more options" in intermediate length in the future is most likely misguided. Any custom manufacturer will cut the port position wherever you ask, but really, that's moot anyway. You'll burn out barrels every 3000-5000 rounds, and you'll replace the gas block and tube with them. The erosion which happens in the barrel happens in the block as well, the whole kit goes as one unit when replaced. Even if you did foolishly reuse the gas block, the tubes are $10. You'll be replacing a barrel for a few hundred bucks. In other words, you can pick a new gas length any time you pick a new barrel.

You've also been mislead if you feel the BCG will wear out before the barrel. I have BCG's with more than 50,000rnds on them. Many sets of gas rings, a dozen barrels, but one BCG. The upper will waller loose before the BCG would wear. It only needs replaced if your cam pin track burnishes or if the gas piston bore scorches.

There is no such thing as over-stabilization for 50grn bullets in 1:7" AR barrels under 20", or even longer. You'll get better stability at longer ranges with a faster twist. I shoot 50grn V-Max's from a 1:6.5" 29" high power match rifle out to 600 and 1,000yrds regularly. As long as the bullet doesn't come apart at the muzzle (some of the 32 and 40 grain bullets can, especially in cut rifles barrels), it'll be more stable down range.