Some of those 96 actions from Tradex, are commercial rather than military. The same can be said for the 98s.
The one glaring difference between the two is the availability of parts. The 96 actions have a very limited supply available while the 98 actions have tons of parts and accessories available. It depends on what you're going to do with the rifle.
I personally like them both. I really like the 8x57 as well as the 6.5x55. The 8x57 can and does perform on the same level as the 30-06 when it is loaded to its intended pressure range. There are lots of good bullets available now for the 8mm bore as well, both foreign and domestic brands. Brass can be made from 30-06 cases if it's a problem to obtain. Off topic, but I once bought two boxes of 5000 each range pick up 30-06 cases from a range in the lower mainland of BC. I converted those cases to just about anything with the same rim diameter. Best deal I ever made.
The 98 also has a few cousins. There are small ring 98s, such as the Mexican model, and the shorter receiver, such as the Yugoslavian reworks.
The Tradex rifles are "standard length".
If you're just going to clean the rifle up, it will need it, and use it as is, it won't matter which one you buy, they're both excellent designs and absolutely reliable performers.
If you're going to upgrade the rifle and add after market parts, buy the 98.
Things like beautiful double set triggers, complete with trigger gaurds, show up at gun shows all of the time. They usually sell for pennies on the dollar as well. They've gone out of favor now that there are so many adjustable triggers available, that are so easy to install and adjust.