i do NOT consider myself an expert on the subject but someone asked me the other day what the best bear rifle is. I laughed and told him the biggest bore rifle or pistol that he could make a hit with. lol. too many folks i think buy the big magnums and think they are safe till they get in a situation with em and can't hit crap due to the heavy recoil. i would rather go out with a smaller caliber gun that i know i can call every shot with than something huge that i'm not familiar with. Just for my friends sake. anyone out there with experience your input would be welcome on the bear rifle subject. i'm thinking Marlin Guide gun (45-70) for several reasons. small light rifle (compact) with a kick butt type cartidge like the 45-70. Not very fast but a pretty big bullet.

Although I'm no bear hunter, The Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 would be a very potent round for bear and would quickly provide plenty of back up shots. I've got the 1895 Cowboy and shoot 300 grain Barnes out of it for hogs and deer. Really puts the smack down on them.
Yotebuster

When i was in Alaska the guides carried the following guns:416 remington mag.;375 H&H; 458 win. mag.; 358 norma mag.; 375 H&H sako short barrel. No lever actions, these were guides who had to protect their clients(and themselves) in sometimes messy situations. They were out in the field 25-30 days at a time. The Browmies were hunted either spring or fall depending on the season.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

And I bet, grizzlybeardavid, it hasn't changed at all...