You can discuss killing power etc. forever, but the bottom line is that the guy used what he had. It is a different conversation when someone carries an inadequate weapon into bear county on purpose.
I was responding to a poster who was saying that 45APC is perfectly adequate for grizzles and that a friend of his chose to carry it for protection from big bears. Clearly it's not adequate protection from big bears and a 44 mag is the minimum for this purpose.
I said it'll get the job done at close range. .44 mag is better but a .44 mag is big and heavy and without a lot of practice which most people aren't going to do is probably worthless. Hence, a .45 ACP especially with +P loads will get the job done.
Now days if I'm going to be out in the woods and especially in bear country which in Montana is just about everywhere now I'll carry bear spray and my 1911 in .45 ACP.
