270 is a poor choice for bear. It doesn't matter if you put it in the boiler room; bears can get into some thick mess if you don't give them abigger dose of firepower.I'd call it the absolute minimum, preferably a 7mm rem. mag or 30 cal such as the -06 or win mag. These guns have the option of very heavy bullets forclose range brushybear hunts, and 'standard' weights for flat shooting deer loads. I won't argue against the 270 on deer, it works very well, but I wouldn't advise it for bear. The savage 111 or stevens 200 are inexpensive rifle choices, however used model 70s, 700s, or 77s shouldn't be overlooked.