Since this post is almost a month old you have probably already made your decision.
Of course it stands to reason everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to just about everything.
I once owned both the Browning rifle and the SRC. Regrettably I sold the rifle. I kept the carbine for the reasons the OP stated above. In my own personal opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, I prefer toting the carbine over the long barreled rifle because I like the balance better. I once owned a very nice original SRC in 45-70 but sold it because it was back when I was not financially able to keep it since I had taken money from savings to purchase it. I have certainly regretted having to have sold that particular rifle since they are rare and especially in the condition it was in. My current Browning SRC is an effort to satisfy the memory of the original one and to be perfectly clear I really like my current Browning SRC and it is as good a quality as the original one was and shoots as good also.
I am not a person who enjoys pain and at my age certainly doesn't have anything to prove so I keep my hand loads within reason for target shooting and hunting game such as deer since I don't live where there are bears. If I were hunting larger game then I would load accordingly.
Having said all that, not too long ago I purchased a new Winchester 1886 deluxe short rifle, 24" barrel and I love it. It is heavier than the Browning SRC and of course has all the added safeties which do not bother me as it does some folks. Yea, I wish they were not there but they are. The rifles made in Miroku, Japan are of exceptional quality and very accurate.
As previously stated the Browning rifle is of greater value than the Browning SRC all else being equal, so one might expect to have to add some cash.