Saddlesore,
I second your sentiments. A scabbard gun needs to be a basic and compact carbine. Even protruding bolt handles can be a problem.
A savage 99, Winchester model 88 or BLR carbine would come to mind.
The leupold fixed 2.5, is an ideal, compact scabbard scope.
Those low profile turret caps leave nothing to hang up.
Like the long rangers tune their rifle set-ups for the long shot, a scabbard gun should get equal consideration.
Leave the long ranger stuff at home.
