your best bear defense remains a couple of these. a gal i work with breeds karelians. horrible house pets though.
i talked to bush pilots, guides, dnr men, etc. the freedom 83 was all on their short list of dream guns. i decided against the .500 wyoming express and linebaugh because those calibres are unobtainable. .454 is over the counter here.
opinions vary. 90% think you need a recoilless rifle to stop a grizzly. 10% have a story about their neighbors 2nd cousins grandma who killed one with a .22 derringer. i am happy with the gun. but if i never test it against a bear i will not be upset.