Like others I don't know what sort of range you would be shooting Russian bears at but of course the thrill of hunting dangerous game is to get in close. I'm a 404 Jeffery exponent myself. Its a truly tried and tested cartridge having taken thousands of elephant and other big and dangerous game. That classic tapered case is just made for reliable feeding and easy reloading. Can be boosted to same pressure and near enough same velocity as the 416s if you ever wish to but this timeless cartridge made its reputation as the workhorse of Africa with velocities around the 2100 - 2250fps mark with the cup and core FMJ or SP bullet. Plenty of factory loads with good bullets available. A very respected round in the top end of Aussie on the big buffalo up there.