The weapons proposed fall within my budget. I'd rather not spend over $800 on any one rifle. I would consider a scope a separate item since I can put it on several different rifles.
Wow, that changes everything. If you're willing to go up to $800
used, and have a separate budget for scope, then you should definitely look at trying to find a nice used
Sako, Steyr, Weatherby Mark V (not Vanguard), high-end
Browning A-Bolt, or high-end
Remington 700, in my opinion. (Buying
new, I'd go for
T/C Icon, Browning A-bolt, or
Remington 700 on that budget).
Understand that I would have a 100% different recommendation if the max budget was around $450 to $550 (CZ/Howa/Vanguard/Savage, etc.)
As for caliber, if you've got
brown bears included on the "menu", you'd better run with
.30-'06 Spgfld at least, and preferably
.338-06, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62mm, .350 Rem Mag, .338 Federal, or .338 Win mag. Probably, .30-'06 is best compromise there between hunting and brown bear defense. But a rifle in
.280 Rem or .308 Win I wouldn't pass up if you find a deal on one of these turnbolt rifles. Personally, for a Canada/Alaska rifle (and take this with a big grain of salt since I've never been there), I like the idea of a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 as the best compromise between "magnum" and "not overkill for most stuff" - an effective killer on creatures large and small, still very good range, but not just a brutal beating everytime at the gun range.
So, my Canada/Alaska rifle (for when I get there) is a CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62, and my two backup C/A rifles are a US 1917 "Enfield" sporterized in .30-'06, and a Marlin 1895 in .45-70 Gov't.
Understand that I would have a 100% different set of caliber recommendations for you if brown bears were NOT included on the list of possibilities.
If your Viagra is not working today, then try this for a substitute:
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=17
Then imagine the one in 9.3x62 with a Burris Signature Select 1.5-6x40mm in Warne Maxima rings and a beautiful leather sling with an Elk on it - yes, it works for me when I look in the safe - woe unto my next girlfriend.