If you are talking about the Garrett round, you are right, it has a stiff recoil. Am thinking that in a "bear charge", the recoil would be masked by the adrenaline rush you would get.
I did fire off a quick cyl. at a stump in my clearing behind the cabin and found that it can be done. I am 6'2" and 200 lbs. so maybe that helped? I took a 13 mile hike into the back country last Friday and left the Marlin at home. I felt pretty comfortable with my 44 & Garrett combination....