ORIGINAL: Rammer
I'd steer clear of the Mossberg and get a Stevens 200.
For shooting bears, I'd also pick something like a 270, 308, 30-06, etc.
If you go with a lever, 44, 45-70 would be at the top of my list.
Thanks for the suggestion on the Stevens, looks like an awesome rifle and frokm what i've read a very good rifle. Also it isn't as expensive as i thought it was.
