I have the Browning a-bolt in wood and blued with the boss. I love the way it shoots, but the weight and barrel lengths are too much for what you want. I don't think recoil is any worse than my 30-06 model 70 and I can't hear anyway.

I bought this gun 2nd hand for $500 in new out of the box condition. I believe the kid I bought it from didn't know what he was getting into with a big gun and bullit cost and just wanted to get rid of it. Its a great shooter, but like I said earlier too heavy AND Pretty to be lugging around the mountains.

Brad