Rick, one of the advantages of the commercial Mauser actions is that as the bolt sits almost vertical when closed, it is therefore a bit above horizontal when open and it is really the root of the bolt handle that dictates the height of your scope setup.

As for taming recoil and cheek slap the best thing I have found is to remove the cheek piece which causes more trouble than they are worth. I have done it on most of my guns and the difference is chalk and cheese.

Matt.