Mike,

I know you said lower 48 but, if you want consistantly big, really big black bear you need to go to Alaska and hunt the blackies found in the Inside Passage. These bears feed on salmon and just like their cousin brown bears and are stunningly large.

I have an outfitter who does a great float hunt out of Wrangle if this is something you are really interested in. You live on the main boat and take small craft to glass the shore then put a stalk on for your bruin. Good fishing while you are there too.

Another option is Manitoba, I've got someone there who has a pretty high color phase population. Problem is many people don't hold out for a big bear and shoot the first color bear they see. So you need patience in a situation like that.

Both are good outfitters.