Forlan,

I work in DC, live in Alexandria. If you see any more signs of bear on your property, I'll be happy to drive up there and take care of them for you. In hunting season of course.

If I were going to shoot a bear, I'd use a .3006. From the situation you described, I'd retreat to the barn and shoot it from the elevated location while it was molesting your vehicle. However, if it is charging you and you cannot escape to the barn, a rifle would not be the best thing, particularly if it has a scope. If I were really concerned about this, I'd buy a mossberg 500A 12 gauge. You can find them used for around $200. Load the first three rounds to be fired with 00 buck shot, the last two with rifled slugs. That way if you can get to the barn you can just rack the first three rounds out and shoot it from a distance, but if you can't get to the barn you have three rounds ready to go that you don't have to aim carefully.