If I were to buy one, I think I'd just buy this:
http://www.browning.com/products/fi...duction/blr-lightweight-with-pistol-grip.html
BLR in 7-08. Mount as Leupold Scout Scope and put on a sling. This is a take-down rifle. For back country use there are times when being able to put the gun in a back pack is nice. I have had a few come through my shop and have been impressed with the level of accuracy I have seen from them. My only gripe is that the trigger pulls are mushy, but I have shot enough military rifles for over 50 years that I can get used to the trigger pretty easily.
Now, if I were to
build one I would start with a Small Ring Mauser. 98s are hard to get but I have done plenty of these on 95s and 95s too. I polish up the action until it very smooth, convert them to cock on opening, drill and tap for scope mounts (if any) true the action, install a very slender barrel and head-space. I and then disassemble it and case harden the receiver. I then install a backing plate to the very front of the receiver and turn back a shoulder on the barrel shank to install a 1/4" plate that indexes to the backing plate. I make a take down lever or install a set of take down screws. Now I stock the rifle in 2 pieces cut from the same blank, and slim the whole rifle down to the styling and contours of the early shape of classic arms. I try to get the rifle down to about 6.3 pounds When you add a scope base, rings and a compact scope the gun cubes up to about 7 pounds field ready. In this kind of rifle I usually just use a standard Mauser cartridge. 6.5X55 and 7X57 have been the most popular. 8X57 is excellent, but in a 7 pound rifle they can kick a bit. When you get to the 8MM, 9MM, 9.3mm and 9.5MM is wise to use a heavier barrel unless you are someone who doesn't notice recoil at all. Such compact take down rifles are more user friendly when they gain a bit of weight. My own 9.3X57 is very nice to shoot and hunt with, but it weighs 9 pound 4 oz. I have a Husky 9.3X57 in 100% stock condition that weighs only 6lb 9 oz and it can be a handful when you fire it. Not horrible, but nothing you would fire 40 rounds at a time. I like bigger rifles, but I understand that there is no "virtue" in recoil per se, so if you don't have to deal with it for a good reason you shouldn't.
Anyway......just random thoughts.
But it may be food for thought in your considerations.