I'd rather have a hot-loaded 10 with heavies, or a 40 with same, than a hard-kicking heavy wheelgun. Unless we're talking big coastal bears, then I'd carry a lever gun.
Sooo, you don't think the 10mm is mediocre for bears, but you'll only use it on mediocre bears?
Yes, that's it exactly. A 400# MT griz (and that is probably an old, mature boar) ain't no 800# brownie. And before you mention it, I'm well aware of that #800+ griz that was hit by a truck years ago on the west side of the Bob (It is mounted at the USFS HQ in Lincoln). They are out there, just like there are 400 class elk.....somewhere.
