RE: .44 for bear protection
I have never been in this position, so I am poorly qualified as most of the replys probably will be. In other words, mostly opinion. But right off hand, I would want a Hard Cast bullet like the buffalo load. At least 300gr with H110 pushing it out.
You can't beat that penetraton. I would stay away from XTP's or even partitions. Penetration is what you want and need I would think.