If you can handle the recoil I think the 338 makes an excellent all around North American big game cartridge. With the 200 gr. NBT you have an excellent deer killer that is flat shooting. You can take elk with the 210-225 gr. bullets available. You have enough gun for the largest bears if you use controlled expansion 250 grainers. My cousin has a Ruger 77 MKII stainless/synthetic that is a tack driver with his handloads. I mean an honest sub MOA grouper. The recoil is also manageable for him without a muzzle brake.

As far as the Vanguard goes they are made by Howa of Japan. These are good rifles for the money and come with the Weatherby accuracy guarantee. These rifles are a little on the heavy side which should help with recoil. I have a rifle that is a Smith & Wesson 1500 which is also made by Howa and a clone of the vanguard. It's a 25-06 and is very accurate with a 115 gr. NBT and IMR 4831.