Well.......Thinking that the "big bears" hunts will be few and far between, I would go with a 300 WBY or RUM. Either of those (even the 300 Win, for that mattter) will easily fit the bill for 95% of what he is going to do, and I wouldn't hesitate to use a 300 for the "big bears" either. Guides would rather see a guy show up with a 300 they can drive tacks with, than a 338 that makes a guy flinch and anticipate the shot so bad that it's a crap shoot on where the shot will land.

Also, just because a guy is big doesn't mean recoil is not a concern. Some guys can deal with it, some can't. Practice makes it easier to deal with, and proper shooting techniques..... Get your brow split with a 338 and you will flinch the next time you draw down on the target.[:@]

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp