It soumds like a 15" .308 is the favorite, I have one and it is a great shooter and with factory ammo you can do a lot with it.I hand load mine to what I want. I would use the Warne Maxima base and 2 rings with a 2.5x8 leupold scope and you got a nice set-up! BTW: you you don't like recoil you might want to think about a break on it, JMO...I dont shoot a break.