I can only go by the 400 or so I've taken cubs from and tagged, never seen any sign of aggression, young males are more aggressive towards a prey species like a small man, but again have never had a problem ever.

in the 32 years of shooting bears and taking other to them I have never found bears particularly hard to drop when shot int eh right place. I do have friends who run them and they tell other stories, I have to assume that a bear wound up and excited is harder to put down than a docile feeding one based on that info.

as far as the bullet, it is fine. shoot the bear forward of where you think you need to, most bear hunters shoot too far back. An accurate load is the most important element. If I listened to everyone that told me I couldn't kill a * fill in the blank* with my flintlock I'd still be game less.

I always tell people if I can kill it with a bow I can kill it with my flinter. plain and simple.