Noise just is what it is--you can just "deal with it." If you can't deal with it, don't got there. But...
Balance is the real key. Build for balance and the rest falls into place.
I really don't think their is much of a difference between shooting a 26" 338 RUM and a 20" 338 Win Mag. My ears rang just fine for about 3 days with both rifles.
