I don't think bear spray or a 44 magnum are going to work if the bear makes a sudden and determine charge from close range. Once he has you either may or may not work. Your going to need a pile of luck, 44 mag or bear spray once he has you. Ya I would rather pop him in the head with a 44, but getting in a fatal shot while being rag dolled wouldn't be any kind of cinch. A bunch of bear spray all over you and him may just work. I sure hope I never find out.
If you see a bear from 100 yds, he probably will not be able to see you well enough to figure you out. I would stay stalk still then slowly back away. I am in the big bore pistol camp, just believe if a bear charges me from close up, I will need some luck to go with my gun. 5 seconds to realize what is happening, draw and fire at a closing bear would intense, to say the very least.
