.54 cal ball?
I dunno. Think I'd rather have something I could fire again real quick rather then messing with power, patch, ball and primer. This becomes more the case when under extreme pressure, say, shortly after a less then perfect first shot on a bear.
I agree though about the hunting season. Once a population is up and growing, allowing a very limited hunt to occur and charging for the license, is a great way to actually HELP the griz. It is certainly working in Colorado for the elk.
Guess a sidearm might be a good idea, or make sure a large tree is handy.
On the other hand, they killed 'em with Hawkens before.