Short and light hunting carbine build?

wow guys I never thought there'd be so many replies! I deeply appreciate all your suggestions.

- rem 783, sounds like I need to find one in local store and hold it in my hand to tell if I like the weight.
- ruger american ranch/hog hunter, sounds like they will fit my bill if I want to go low cost. Hog hunter does have a 308 16.5" barrel, it's not listed on their website for some reason.
- savage 10/110, I'm not ready to chop the barrel.
- CZ ranger, Kimber, Tikka - out of my league in term of price.
- Remington model 7, this is a nice rifle definitely on my list. Hard to find one on EE though.
- Ruger/Savage/Mossberg scout rifle, I really like the look of these rifles too, but for some reason the listed weight all comes in at around 8 lb. Guess I'll need to hold one in hand to tell.
- Russian TOZ 308, I always love unconventional suggestions and Russian rifles. However for this purpose I think I want to stick to "plain and common" bolt guns. I have a Browning BLR in 308 originally bought to fill this role, but I decided lever action is too finicky in the field.

Why do I feel under-gunned with 7.62x39? Last year I went face to face with a black bear about 5 yards away, on the ground, no back up. The bear did go down instantly with a shot through the ear, but I kept thinking what if my shot missed by inches and hit the skull? On the same hunt my buddy met another bear in a total surprise, took a snapshot, 30+ yards. That 180gr 308 went in from the sirloin area, penetrated the entire bear lengthwise, and torn several holes in the chest where bits of lead came out. Both lungs and heart had shrapnel in them. Needless to say I was impressed with the performance of 308.
 
Loaded with appropriate bullets the 39 is in the same class as the 3030. The 3030 has and will always be a solid deer and moose rifle in the woodlots. I understand feeling under gunned but i hunt bear with my 2506 andtook my largest black bear with a single round. Last trip i guided my buddy to a nice boar that fell to a 32 special. If you shot your bear thru the ear and killed it you hit the skull. Dont let paper and numbers convince you that a 7.62x39 isnt capable within its limits. Inside100 yards the animal will likely neverknow it was killed with an old eastern block cartridge
That said i support the buying of a new gun
 
There have been a couple of camo 308 model 7's on the e.e lately. Don't know how they would be going for more than a used battue though.

The .308 ruger american ranch would probably be pretty good, I have one in .223 that is pretty accurate.
 
Folks, thank you all again for the guidance. I just picked up a Remington model 7 threaded 16.5" barrel in 308 cal for a very good price off EE. Never thought it'd come right up the moment I wanted it. If all goes well I'll be busy developing load for it next week.

Now time to sell off some guns before wife finds out about the growing herd.:dancingbanana:
 
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