The above post will get you started. You can also utilize the search bar at the top. As I said I dont have any experience with either of those scopes you mentioned. Some guys like Leopold's but you wont find a lot of love here for them in general.
What is your scope budget? Those dont typically come to mind as having a great track record. That being said I do not have any experience with them either.
I'm in Idaho, but dogfood and syrup. Donuts, fruit from the produce stand, popcorn, food scrapes. It all works man. Especially once they find it. Get some fryer oil from any local restaurant and dump it around your bait. They will track it out and other bears will follow it in.
Hang a old clean...
Ya, man would be nice with some lighter profiles. Their chassis look I interesting as well. Wonder how this stuff is. Google magic shows kinda mixed reviews.
If your truck camping double your sleeping bags or take some blankets. Good pad. Also liners are good to out inside they add some warmth and protect your bag from sweat and dirt that can decrease and breakdown fill inside your bag.
This! ☝️. @Marbles nailed it. Lived and hunted in Idaho my whole life. Everything from moose to antelope including varmints. That 243 will do the job. No need for a magnum. I suggest using that cash to get very confident In your current rifle especially if your planning shots at a decent range...
Would you be willing to take a photo of what you installed the O ring , as well as a link or description of what one you used. I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks
I have zero experience with that cartridge, but I'm definitely building one soon. Really looking forward to hearing real life data on round count in reference to barrel life.
As of now the plan is a 18" threaded barrel, 1:8 twist.
If you did what you could to recover the animal and learned from it there is nothing more to do. Ethical move on punching the tag. I understand still sucks. Been there.