welcome bk into the sport cheeta264, i probablely wont be much help but, its all up to prefferance, me personally i prefer a bolt, i own brwn gold med a-bolt 2-7mm mag. but we all have our own preffs. and they all carry different price tags.(like i said not being much help) but as far as cal. goes- you said your not sure where your re-kindled flame will take you, your thought of the 338 would be very sufficient for where ever you go. If I'm wrong, someone (i hope) will correct me. good luck on your buying venture.