I have never hunted the big bears, so cut me some slack if this is a stupid question. But, why wouldn't a double-barrel be a good option if fast follow up shots are sometimes called for?
Last thing I would want to carry, as a sportsman and not a guide, is a $30,000 blued rifle that weighs 13 pounds on a bear hunt. You are far better off with a good low-power optic so you can really make your one shot count- that's all you're going to get.
