Well I have to agree with Retaks on chambering. I would advise you to get a Tikka T3 Lite or Remington 700. Get either of those guns with any of those chambering Retaks has posted you and you have a bear slaying machine. Anything in the .25 caliber range and you can guarantee a kill on any animal the US has to offer, except maybe a moose and a grizzly, but then what are you going to do about carrying one of those back to the truck?

I'm 5'6" so I know what you mean when you need a shorter rifle. I'd seriously advise the Tikka T3 Lite. I got one and it's short really lightweight, and a nice kick to it. Mine's a 25-06 and I guarantee with good shot placement nothing is going to run too far.