I've dumped Alaska moose with the 300 Win. Mag and those animals can take a lot of lead and stand there lookin at you. I sold that hard kicking rifle and opted for the Browning 338 Auto. The recoil is absorbed a little by the gas absorbsion. I'm going to a 375 for larger and more dangerous animals. You want that bear down and dead right now!

As for scopes - I've been a loyal Luepold user for years without any problems. I would stay with a lower magnification for Western - close in shooting and definetly with 40MM objective. I have a 50MM on my 338 and it just hangs up on everything. Take a look at the ballistics between 338 and 300 Win Mag. and you will understand why going to the 338 makes more sense. Just more selection of bullet wgt.s