To the OP I'd be the odd one and go with the lever action. I shoot lever guns quite a bit and like the way they pack. A gun that packs better is more likely to be with me when it's needed, I know myself. I feel like I'd also be more likely to have the lever action in my hand instead of on a sling when it was needed. That's my reasoning more than the effectiveness of either. I think with the right loads both would do a good job. I think if the first hit turns the bear and it starts leaving, the lever gun is a better tool to finish the job with. The way I read the regs if you start shooting the bear they prefer you finish the job. I feel like that's the ethical thing to do anyway if it's reasonable to do so, I don't want someone else to have to clean up my mess if I can help it.
I hope to be in grizzly country in AK this fall if the corona virus settles down. I have a caribou hunt booked that I will go on if I feel like it's a safe choice for my family to do so. I'll be packing a 300 win mag with 180gr Nosler E tips and a 10mm handgun with 200 grain Underwood hardcast ammo. I'm still deciding between my Glock 20 and my Sig 1911 on which 10mm. I shoot the 1911 better, especially past 20 yards, but the Glock is lighter and easier to take down if I get it gunked up. Both have a Razco holster that attaches to my bino harness that holds the gun and a Streamlight TLR-1 light. Both also have night sights. I love my revolvers but I don't shoot any revolvers bigger than 357 as well as I'd like. I tried a Ruger Redhawk and couldn't shoot it quickly as well as my smaller frame 357's. I then tried a S&W 69 and the recoil with even the milder 255gr Buffalo Bore loads was more than I can handle without flinching. While the power is similar, the 10mm's have some advantages over my 357 revolvers with their night sights and light attachment I decided. On the tundra I might be using 2 trekking poles and have the rifle strapped to my pack at times, so I'll take the handgun also.
This is from the AK game and fish website:
If You Kill a Bear in Defense of Life or Property (DLP)
You may kill a bear in defense of your life or property if you did not provoke an attack or cause a problem by negligently leaving human or pet food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears and if you have done everything else you can to protect your life and property (5 AAC 92.410).
Property means your dwelling, means of travel, pets or livestock, fish drying racks, or other valuable property necessary for your livelihood or survival. While game meat is considered your property, you may not kill a bear to protect it unless the meat is critical for your survival. Even in this situation you still must do everything possible to protect the meat (i.e. proper storage, scaring the scavenger, etc. See
Safely in Bear Country) before you may kill the bear.
If you have to shoot a bear, be sure you shoot to kill - wounded bears are potentially more dangerous than healthy bears. Also be very careful of what lies beyond your intended target - stray bullets can travel over a mile and still be deadly.
Bears killed in defense of life or property belong to the state. If you kill a bear you must remove the hide from the carcass and must also salvage the skull.
You must give both the hide, with claws attached, and the skull to ADF&G. You must also notify your local ADF&G Wildlife Conservation office or Alaska Wildlife Troopers immediately. You are required to fill out and submit a
Defense of Life or Property Report Form (PDF 114 kB) questionnaire concerning the circumstances within 15 days.