Per unit of recoil, doubt you'll beat a 6.5 GAP. It snuggles right up to a 7 WSM ballistically but with less pop. Again, a short action cartridge.
What's the value of a short action over a standard action?
Well, value is in the eye of the beholder, right? So a SA might have no value to you. Personally, I prefer short action rifles. Lighter, shorter, and just more efficient.
Edit: all else equal, short actions are more accurate, too.
