in your post you said you were looking to buy a couple of rifles. if big bears are on your list might i suggest getting a rifle just for hunting bears. you have to remember that grizzly and brown bears eat meat for a living and you wouldnt want to shoot them with something that would just irritate them. id get a 338 or 375 mag just for bears. for deer and elk an 06 or 270, or 35 whelan would do the trick.