Subsequent to the above, I remember now that some time ago, I almost did the .50 Alaskan re-barrel to my #1 too.
: Since the ballistics available to that case is certainly enough for my North American hunting, the longer 2-1/2" case in not necessary. There would be no discernable trajectoy difference, either, and the .50 Alaskan would use less powder to obtain it's velocities. The longer case needs slightly more to match the smaller case, is what I'm saying.
; For big bears, there are no flies on a 500gr. flat nosed bullet coasting along at between 1,800fps and 2,000fps. Even wheel weights shoots well in that calibre at those speeds.