Ok i was off on my numbers, but my sentiment still stands. The guy with the 500magnum didnt have properly designed bullets. A 454 with either hard cast lead, or some of the buffalo bore JSP(they say theres are tougher with a thick jacket) will penetrate to the desired depth. THe 454 has been proven to killl every animal that walks the earth, why wouldnt it take out a bear?
Again the rifle is a better weapon, hands down sure, but that dosent change the fact that out side of Alaska(which is as close to a wild wilderness as it gets in the usa) were you can open carry any gun you wish you cant do that most other places. Here in the lower 48 if your any place were their sizeable numbers of people, such as the afformentioned parks, and other public land, you will get harrassed and or arrested. For most of the places here that joe blow gun owner goes to that is inhabited by bears, and handcannon is going to work out better for him..