i am going on a spring brown bear hunt next year and the 338 is exactly what my outfitter recommended. also the synthetic w/ stainless steel is what it seems everyone recommends for Alaska. on the scope it would be a personal preference and a matter of where you will be hunting. if you will be hunting an area where it is likely you will have tight quarters and very close shots i would go for the lower magnification. what you are talking about sounds more like an open country scope.