If when you say bear you mean the big bears like browns or grizzly then i'dbe looking at the 338wm. No doubt it will handle anything in NA and is a dyno elk cartridge, in package that most find tolerable to shoot. It may not be the flattest shooter but it certainly packs a whomp on the game end of things.

If you want something a little more enduring based on your experience with 300 wbyand being a reloader the 300RUM might be a good fit. Flat shooting and packs more thanenough punch to be considered a good NA all around cartridge. Maybe able one up on the old man when running them over a chrony!

If black bears and elk are your main concern then anything 280 rem and up will work just fine. Again being a reloader the sky is more open for you in terms of cartridges and bullets for usage.

As far as rifle your budget will allow you to buy a number of production rifles, maybe have a little money to tweak it after to boot. Which one is all based on personal fit, feel and features. Some touchy feely is suggested to trim down the possibles list.

Scope will go nicely with all of the above and is a fine choice. Justhold it with some top quality rings and bases.

Good Luck