I bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag with a 7.5 inch barrel after a close encounter with a black bear while bow hunting. In retrospect the bear wanted to get away from me as bad as I did from him. That big hogleg proved to be too big to carry on my hip and ended up in my pack where it was of no use.

I bought a Ruger SP101 .357 with a 3" barrel and it is small enough that I carry it most anywhere I go in the woods.

My point is that your chosen weapon needs to be comfortable and small enough that you actually carry it or you won't carry it. Colorado doesn't have Grizz so my .357 is plenty.