Huh... missed this thread. Around here, every knows the MINIMUM in pistol is a .44 mag. Don't get hollow point. As Cindy stated, bears have thick hides and you want penitration. Alot of it, too, is studying bear characteristics. For example, if they are huffing and "popping" their teeth or chattering, he's most likely going to charge. Study their actions. Bears are said to have personalities similar to humans in regards to: Some bears are always pissed and looking for a fight, some are curious, some are just there, etc.
As for the bear spray... I like bullets cause they don't come back if the wind is in your face. I have been 10 feet from 3 bear cubs on the Russian River. No problems, I just moved. You have to be aware and pay ATTENTION!!! That is the problem. People do not pay attention when they are outdoors. Some stumble onto fresh kills or a buried kill that a bear is watching from a distance. If you want a good read, pick up "Alaska Bear Tales" by Larry (Can't remember). Carr's has them in stock. If gives you an idea about bear attacks and also the humorous side to some run in's. For example, a little girl fell asleep picking berries. Parents did a search party and found her. When they woke her, she asked where her berries went (Bucket was full). They noticed bear tracks all around her. Bear wanted the berries, ate the berries and then left. But also, it gives accounts of how powerful bear attacks truly are.
Here's a quick statistic... I would say 85% or more of all hundred and something bear attacks recorded since the late 1800's in Alaska were due to 2 reasons.
1) They startled the bear. Natural reaction is to neutralize the threat
2) Sow and cubs encounter. Motherly instinct takes over.
Get a minimum .44 magnum pistol, pay attention, avoid bears that you have made a visual contact of, cut the line of a fish on, don't leave food in your tent, etc. These things have helped me out in the wild and are just my thoughts. They may be right or wrong, but have kept my butt safe to date.
Also, on a side note... If you encounter a moose around, watch for signs of agression. Ears back, hack raised. They are quick, powerful and will stomp you a new one. If you are in Anchorage, fairly soon you'll see more showing up in town. Plus the darker hours coming, you have a larger risk of hitting a moose as AKIvory stated. Around 280 moose are killed by cars and many of the drivers are seriously injured or killed because you take the moose out at the legs and the body comes down ontop of your car.
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My take on that was you should give it to the bear and ask him to shoot the thing. Bears are nearsighted anyway ... he'd probably miss you....