Thanks to all.
Firstly, regarding recoil, I can handle all of these rifles without issue. I shoot BGRC here in Australia regularly. I also have rifles in 458 Lott, 404 Jeffrey & have had a 505 Gibbs.
My previous hunting for bears involved a Win Model 70 in 338WM with 275gr Semi Spitzer by Speer which are bonded, my guide was hesitant using this, he, and his daughter were not fans due to poor shot placement by previous hunters. I actually asked Phil Shoemaker about this combo prior to me going, he said it would work with the right shot placement.
That rifle dispatched my bear as if poleaxed.
They were surprised. The bear didn't twitch.
My current rifle list/weights run like this:
Win Model 70 EW 338WM, Bushnell 3-9x40 weighs 8lbs loaded/sling (Lightest rifle in the list)
Rem 700 Sendero II 338Edge, Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x50, weighs 12.5lbs sling/bi-pod.
Win Model 70 Classic S/S 375 Weatherby, Bushnell 2-7x32, weighs 10.5lbs loaded/sling.
CZ 550 Safari Magnum 416 Rigby, Leupold 1-5x24 detachable scope, weighs 9lbs loaded/sling; weighs 9.75lbs with scope/loaded.
The bullets listed have had no trouble taking down Water buff here, I have complete confidence in all of them.
The comments regarding the 338WM being inadequate is unfounded today, with powders available, getting a 225gr @ 2900fps or 250gr @ 2775fps is not difficult and is ample to bring down a large bear.
My own take on things is this; the 338WM is the lightest and fastest rifle I have for the thick stuff, closely followed by the 375 Bee, although this rifle is barrel heavy, it swings quite steadily.
The 338 Edge is very heavy for a stalking rifle, have packed it in rather than carry/stalked with it so far, I usually set up over game trails and shoot from distance with it.
The 375 Bee is an ideal African safari rifle using sticks, the barrel heavy balance makes stocks very stable. This would be ideal for open country, but I don't think this hunt will have much of that.
The 416 Rigby makes sense to me due to it's stopping power, and no, I do not believe the 416RM is a better round due to pressure issues. I have actually had both, the RM was sent down the road cuz it was not as easy to get 2400fps with a 410gr pill as it was to get over 2500fps with the Rigby. Also, the Rigby has never had a feeding or extraction issue, while the 416RM would get dents on the shoulder from not feeding well and the cases would hang up going into the feed ramp.
Anyway, that's my take.
I will be taking the 375 Bee for sure, and maybe the 338WM with 250gr Accubonds for the thick stuff just cuz it is fast and light to get quick shots away and feeds like butter.
I will say I prefer CRF rifles when crap hits the fan.
Cheers.