I've hunted big bears, both brown & black. Shot a B&C brownie in Alaska in '12 when my brother used to guide up there. Used a .338 Win Mag in AK but for black bears I like my lever guns: Marlin 336 .35 Rem. or even better my Marlin 1895 .45-70 guide gun I know a couple good outfitters (friends of mine) in NC that kill some big black bears each year.