Yeah, I have to agree with the rifle for stopping a charging bear. If I was going to be in really dangerous bear country I'd be packing my .458 as well... but since I haven't been, I don't know about cartridges. I imagine a 500-grain Hornady Interbond would work for serious bear stopping better than a solid???
Handguns. I have nothing against them and I often carry a .45 Colt in the field for backup to muzzleloaders... but I'd much rather carry a carbine or a shotgun. Seriously, I'd rather have a slung .30-30 lever action carbine in dangerous country than a handgun.