[Trteamer]

[being obviously in bear territory, he'd have been smart to have heavier weapons on hand]....:)

I would consider a 10 guage to be in the heavy weapon category.

[Salamander]

It's heavy enough generally, alright but were it me, I'd prefer a single large caliber bullet rather than "scattershot" for stopping a bear.
We have a .12 ga. stainless steel pump Mossberg and several different loads for it, including slugs.
Slugs I could see being very useful for bear.

Something above .270 would be good, .308 would be better.

[although having lived through one "rampaging neighborhood bear" summer, I'd prefer a .50 caliber military issue, myself]....:D

It was not long after that experience that a .30-30 and AR15 were added to the obligatory assortment of .22s and the Mossberg.