How about the .250 Savage, either standard or Ackley Improved? It's a sweet round, performs the same or better than a .243, will handle heavier bullets, and kicks less.
Or maybe a .300 Savage. As good as the .308, in a somewhat smaller package.
Or a 6.5-.284. Factory brass available from Hornady and Norma, and is a great long range round, the equal of the 6.5-06 in a shorter package.