Though I have not hunted in an area where a short barreled rifle was needed due to brush in a very long time. I built a specialized rifle for that, a 350 Rem Mag on a 600 action.
The short rifles have an advantage, in my opinion, that doesn’t have to do with brush. They are quicker to get on target.
The longer rifles, in general, are easier to shoot accurately if the shooter has time - and more than likely would at the extreme range your considering.
My light 45-70 had a faster recoil, but I’m not sure that it had a heavier recoil.
Wanting a brush rifle and a long range rifle seems to me to be wanting opposites.
