Heh, I figured that that was the other possible answer.
The bear always eats the slowest person.
Actually, unless I was hunting the bear, I would carry something like a .44 Mag Carbine. I would never go in an area where I could surprise a bear with a bolt action rifle. You are only going to get one shot. The best thing of all to have with you would be a large dog. While the bear and dog were going at it, you would have more time. Plus the dog would normally smell the bear. That would be your best of all insurance.
If I was bear hunting, I would not use anything less than some type of .34 Mag rifle. I would never go alone and at least one person would always have a automatic rifle such as the .44 Mag I just mentioned.