It does seem odd that a 12 year old female would only weigh 300 lbs even if she did just come out of hibernation. If that is a normal weight for a bear that old, that's amazing because she'll probably weigh 5 to 7 hundred lbs by fall. Bear gotta eat to put on that kind of weight in one summer and fall. Especially taking care of a cub!
I also would like to know what caliber hand gun he was carrying? Based on what the article says, one shot grazed and only one of the other four shots struck and killed the bear. Considering the situation, two hits, one lethal is probably as good as one could expect at a charging bear. To ask one round from a hand gun to put a Grizzly out of commission is expecting a lot.
Honestly, after a up close and personal face to face with a wolf and the knowledge that there were at least three or four near by, I've taken to, when I'm in the hills not hunting, especially with my dogs, carrying my 45LC and a 30-40 Krag loaded with 220 gr. Hornady RNs. I just can't understand the idea of hoping and wishing everything will be just fine instead of being as prepared as one needs to be for the worst case scenario! I'd also like to know if there was an uproar over the guy having his dogs and if they'll (feds and antis) question whether the dogs were leashed or not. It's great that situations like that are being reported about.
Be safe out there!