Wayne Bosowicz owns Foggy Mountain Outfitters in ME. He has been in business since 1964 and his clients have taken around 2500 bears. He recommends the 45-70 and for hound hunting and shooting treed bears he likes the 41 and 44 Magnum
Mike Richie is the second generation owner of Richie Outfitting in Salmon, Idaho. He has taken around 450 bears with his clients. For close range shooting, like a treed bear or very close range baited he recommends the 30-30, and the 454 Cassull in a levergun or handgun. He particularly mentions the 300 grain and 325 grain bullets.
That's a lot of knowledge and experience speaking there folks.
I have been running bear hunts for 5 years. I am the booking agent more-so than the outfitter, but I am present for about half the clients each year since I run 3 1/2 weeks or bait hunts. I have seen about 60 kills bun clients. I have personally taken 30 bears over the years, most recently. My 2 cents is that it really helps kill and recover the bear if the bullets exit, the holes are big and their are multiple shots. I recommend leverguns first followed by pumps and semi-auto rifles or shotguns or handguns (revolvers). I like 35 caliber or bigger but what is most important is that the bullet be heavy and well constructed. Bears are thin skinned but they have dense muscle fiber and heavy bones. A 35, 45-70, 45 Colt with 300gr+ loads, 348's - all shine on close range bears.
I'm glad to have found some real experts that agree with me!
