Yeah i realize the caliber difference I'm no newbie.

I just don't know if I can find a carbine short enough in .308. I can sacrifice big game capability if I can't find what I want.

DPMS makes one but I don't care much for it.

The front runner right now is Knight's SR-15 it's amazing. http://www.knightarmco.com/sr_15_16.html

I could also get a 6.8mm PPC carbine from DPMS for under $1k. Too bad that's a worthless caliber.

As far as your reccomendation of a heavy barreled model. I don't think it's necessary. A carbine can certainly provide servicable accuracy out to 400 yards. I'm not asking for 1/4 MOA accuracy or I'd be using my LTR.

Heavy barrel would kinda defeat my #1 purpose as well as portability.

I'll check out Rock River.