With respect to a scope, this is one of those instances where quality really matters. So does last light clarity. Regardless of scope quality, that usually rules out 24mm objective lenses. A Leica, Swaro, S&B, Zeiss Victory class, or Night Force with 40mm objective and low range of 1.5-2.5 will get the job done and be equally useful on plains game.
That said, I used a Trijicon on my .338. But, that was when it was legal to hunt leopard at night in Namibia. Under a spotlight, a Weaver K4 would have done the job.
I think you are exactly correct. Both would exhibit a lot of muzzle blast - visible and sound. My perspective is that in a close range, precision shot placement setting, bigger quickly becomes a liability. Should I go back for another leopard it will be with something in .30 cal.