308win won't really be a substantial step down compared to the 30-06 you already have. It's shooting the same bullet at a higher pressure in a smaller case which yields only slightly slower velocity than the 30-06 - in other words, very similar recoil and very similar results in the field. The 6.5 Creedmoor will largely match the 308win for hunting field efficacy, for all game save the largest of brown bear and moose in North America, and does so with around 20grn less powder (30% reduction) and 10-40grn less bullet than the 30-06. Much less recoil, but retaining a high sectional density for great penetration and high (highER) ballistic coefficient for improved downrange trajectory and impact energy.

Between the Savage Axis II XP and the Ruger American Predator GII, I'd pick the Ruger.