Never been in Brown Bear country, but hopefully I will someday and this thread has been most informative and has changed my mind. I used to think a 44 mag or my 454 Casull was the way to go but not anymore. I think I will carry either a Glock 20 or a 31 with hard cast lead. The two big bores are fine if one is HUNTING, but for close is work like Phil alludes to, a smaller caliber with good bullets and faster (much) follow up shots is the way to go.

A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”