Yeah I know I'm a little late here and the OP already made a choice, but I think this thread has a lot of bearing here Your Best Handgun Hunting Bullet For The 44 Mag/44Spl

Contrary to what now has become popular belief, it don't take the heaviest bullet you can find launched at frame stretching, wrist breaking velocities to get the deed done. The average black bear is about 150-200 pounds, far short of being a battle tank.