Well, i havent hunted brown bear, black bear yea. I prefer a shorter carbine for such things, I'm a big Marlin man and I dont believe i'd feel undergunned hunting with my .35 Marlin levergun. It's dropped everything else its hit in its tracks with one shot. Now if I where looking for just a bear gun...it'd be either the 45-70 guide gun or the Cowboy which holds 9 rounds. now if a bear charges you i doubt you'll get through that whole mag but it'd be there incase.