My .02 cents. I have a .44 mag which I take to Alaska and it serves it purpose for me. Bigger would be better but I figure if I really have to use it, it will be at very close range (a few feet) because lots of time bears do fake charges and most of the time they never charge at all. The other purpose is I put it by the top of my sleeping bag and it gives me piece of mind and helps me sleep (realizing again that I probably wouldn't have a chance to use it if a bear decided to take a swipe at my tent). But what I really was going to say was that you really only a .22 caliber, you only have to be able to outrun your fishing partner after you shoot him in the leg.