When I first got my rem 50 cal inline I bought it in the winter, so when spring bear came that year I dropped my regular spring bear outfit - Martin Bow in lieu of my new toy. Loaded with 105 gr. of pyrodex, #10 cap and 240 gr Hornady XTP off to the woods I went. I ended up taking a 6 1/2 foot blackie at 40 yards through the lungs. On impact it bowled him and he scampered no more than 50 yards before I heard the tell tale sign - death moan. So IMO a BP is easily suited to handle black bears, with a well placed shot their is never a need for back up!