I was just going to post this! LOL!!!My dad always said that if you carried a handgun to protect yourself against the grizzlies, you needed to file the front sight off of the handgun. Thay way, when the bear takes it away from you and shoves it up your arse, it won't hurt hurt nearly so badly.
OP- the first time I went to Alaska I wanted the original GLOCK 10mm. It had been announced but not shipped in time for my first trip. So I ended up with a 10mm Smith - 1006 I think... Second time I carried a Super Redhawk in .44 Mag with HOT ammo.
I ran across some locals when I was hiking out from fishing. They were headed in with a string of horses for the moose opener. Guy at the front of the string and the back of the string each had a 12ga. Loaded with slugs. They told me "If he's too far to shoot with a slug, you don't need to be shooting. If he charges, the slug is the only thing that will stop him." as the discussion continued the point was - Yes a 7mm mag (which they had for moose) will kill a Bear. But he may eat you before he bleeds out. The slug will break him so he can't come eat you!
When I go back I'll take both a 454 and a 870. I'll pick the one that goes each day based on circumstance.
Good Luck, Alaska is fantastic!