armageddon

The real answer to your question could be this: Find a really good survival store - the closest location to you. Even if you need to drive some distance - it will be worth it. I'm talking about a store that carries military, civilian and tactical equipment. The better quality military surplus stores will do that (forget the run-of-the-mill army surplus stores). Then handle the packs yourself, and try them on. For an item like a pack ... there is never any substitute for actually putting the real thing on your back. Otherwise you could be really frustrated when you go out into the field.

I recently bought a pack by Stansport that fits my needs pretty well. Their Canyon 75 pack is very tall compared to a lot of other backpacks. That allows you to stow gear that is long, without things poking out of the top of the pack. However - I'm not sure that this particular pack will meet all your needs ... it may not have enough volume. And it looks more like a conventional civilian pack.

Good luck!

Pete