I have a Ruger SBH in .44 Mag. I didn't get it for bear protection, but I took it to Montana on a recent fishing trip.
I saw a grizzly bear, and also a black bear (separate events). The grizzly bear was
much larger. Fortunately, it was headed the other way.
For folks who haven't seen both up close, you need to do this. Black bears are things you can consider stopping with a handgun. IMO, grizzlies aren't.
If I go back this summer, I think I'm leaving the .44 Mag at home and taking a .30-06 carbine. With 220gr loads. At 8 lbs, it isn't that much heavier than the SBH. (
)
I have no intention of shooting a bear. I have bear spray as a primary defense, and I plan to do everything possible to leave the *#!$ bears alone.
However, I don't want to wind up on the trail "smelling like pepper spray with little bells in it", as the joke goes.