For Black Bears, .357 Mag with hot 180 grwould be a minimum. Grizzly Bears .44 Mag. with 300 gr. solid cast hot loads or heavier caliber.

Here is what I am planning on getting. No such thing as to dead. Ihave spent my all my life hunting in bear country, and never had more than an intense encounter, but better to be ready than dead.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&a mp;productId=49906&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15707&isFirearm=Y

I have hunted with several Bear hunting guides, All carried 12 Ga shotguns for back-up. Thats good enough for me.

That's fine if you don't have your hands already carrying something or hunting Elk in Grizzly country. If you'd happen to get into a tight spot in a situation where you can't be carrying a shotgun besides a rifle, I'd still carry at least a .44 mag at my side. At close range anyway a scoped big game rifle can be tough to make any kind of accurate shot with.

The reason black bear attacks are up is that 'civilization' is encroaching more and more into their territory, AND the people moving into these developments generally have an opinion of bears reinforced by the 'cuddly-fuzzy' image fostered by what they see on TV... They don't realize a black bear is a potentially deadly wild animal!

The requirement for protection is to use a gun that shoots hard bullets of good sectional density that YOU can shoot fast & accurtely under the stress of a close encounter. Even a .45 with GI hardball ammo will suffice, because you have to get the bullet into the critter's brain right now to stay in one piece.

My buddey from alaska uaaully carrys around this old marlin 45/70 open sightsand he has killed countless grizzleys with that thing he says pepper spray does nothing on account bears really cant see that good it will jsut get them mad unless u use that magnum stuff. Just my 2 cents

Well, there are instances of people deterring a grizzly attack with bear spray, BUT I too would much prefer that .45/70 Marlin!!

if you are carrying a .40S&W for bear protection you should probably be carrying HP or some other frangible bullet. That's what i'd do anyhow. the more stopping power the better

A revolver will be your best bet. I would atleast use a 357 mag with a stout load. For me, im getting a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44mag and will load it with +P+ loads. I think the 44mag is one of the best. A 454 Casull is also not a bad choice but your more limited on your gun selection.