A lot of great choices here and hunt with a carbine myself(Weatherby Mark V carbine ss with 20" barrel in 7mm-08). To me, if hunting with a gun and the barrel is less than 22", you are hunting with a carbine. The OP's original question on a "Compact" to me says a shorter barrel and length of pull. The Tikka T3 lite compact is a great choice. The gun Jackmountain put together for his son is another great choice. Had one for each of my boys, they get older and want a full length stock, easy enough to find and drop in.
