My last duty assignment in the U.S. Army, prior to retirement, was with the Noncommissioned Officer' s Academy at Fort Richardson, Alaska. I was assigned as the Operations Sergeant and the Academy Commandant was a Command Sergeant Major. The CSM purchased a Browning BAR chambered for .338 Winchester Magnum specifically for a Brown Bear hunt to Kodiak Island. He took a nice Brown Bear using 225 grain Remington Corelokts, (if my memory is correct). One shot to the shoulder/lungs, and a quick finisher through the skull. I distinctly remember looking at the skull later with a silver dollar sized hole through it! He also used that rifle, with a Harris bipod attached, down at King Salmon to take several nice Caribou. It was a nicely accurate rifle...with a very " soft" recoil for the caliber...(Browning' s gas operating system). He never had any problems or malfunctions with that rifle, but he was fairly meticulous about caring for it. I remember talking with him at that time (about 1993) about the possibility of having it refinished with a " brushed electroless nickel" finish. Similar to matte stainless but a little more dark gray in appearance. I retired in May, 1994, and do not know if he ever had it refinished or not.

I am not sure if Browning offers the BAR .338 Win Mag in a finish other than blue steel and wood. But I know there are any number of " after market" options for a more durable finish. (Electroless nickel, teflon, etc.) They are all good looking in their own right...and very durable. Also I believe there are several manufacturers that offer after market synthetic replacement stocks for the BAR, (maybe even some in camo).

The number of scopes suitable for such a combination is almost endless! More to do with your preference than for " any lack of availability" !

Good luck with your search!