Have to agree with Lawdog. The big bears are stretching the capabilities of the 7 mag. If that were my only rifle, and I was given an opportunity to hunt them, I wouldn't turn it down, but would want someone with a larger caliber backup to come along. Other than that, the 7mm mag will handle anything on the continent, including prarie dogs with lighter bullets....although the recoil would certainly wear you down by the end of the day!