It looks like a very nice, purpose built rifle. It is the quality of the optics, not the power of the scope that really matters.
I suspect that your decision on barrel length will ultimately be driven by the balance of the rifle. I have a Ruger Frontier .308 with the 16.5" barrel, and with the sporting contour barrel and the forward mounted scope, it handles nicely in brush. The muzzle blast is not bad (certainly less than my 30-06 with a 20" barrel--but that is will a very hot load).
With your heavy barrel, I suspect if you shorten the barrel that it will balance about like my Ruger. And it will be a bit lighter to lug around while you are getting to your hide.