The bear boss is ridiculous?

[MetalHealth]

There's no strategy I can find? When I fight him I don't even have time to reload. He just follows me super close constantly. If I try to reload he hits me. So I can run forever and never hit him or reload and die. GG

The only kills I've seen on YT are someone with a sniper rifle (never even seen one in game) and someone using powered up dynamite and the no damage from dynamite perk...

Is it not possible to beat with any weapon combo or do you have to have one of those specific loadouts?

Edit:
I beat the bear with the following
4 extra HP
the cannon
TNT immunity
fast reload

The cannon is amazing for anyone else struggling. I went on to kill the next boss too using it

[kBlankii@蛛蛛！]

When you reload, watch for the exclamation mark above the boss's head. when it flashes, simply use a dodge roll to avoid its attack. the dodge roll won't reset your reloading progress.

Try to find a rock pillar and fight it around there. on its second phase, it can sometimes charge towards you. when it doing so, you can just go around the pillar to find cover.

The best weapon choice would be any type of the shotguns. they can deal a serious amount of damage in close range.

[Sunderbrass]

I had three companions when I beat the bear boss. It focused on them pretty much the whole fight, leaving me free to just shoot. But I think I've also only beat the first boss one time without companions as well.

[MetalHealth]

I nearly managed it with one companion and the slow pistol/repeater combo (4 round) but once the companion died it became p much impossible. Bear only had a sliver of health left though

[Goldenaxe]

I've been where you are. Speed upgrade (or speedy characters) is almost a must, because otherwise the bear catches you, especially if you cannot time the reload of slow loading weapons. With speed, it's pretty easy but the first tries are painful because you have to practice the combat while you're actually in it. You gotta have some sort of safe kiting capability, plus if you possess a high dps rifle, it becomes much easier. But it's a long and tiring combat and the space bar will be your best friend.

I chose speed upgrade over any other upgrade in the game. Especially when you're in the third act, it becomes an endurance and tactical mobility game. I usually (try to) go carry more ammo, speed, double heal, more hp bars, lower enemy projectile speed and more heavy gun dmg, if someone is interested for solo gunslinger builds.

[MetalHealth]

You don't get a choice of upgrades though. I think I've only seen speed twice. I've taken it both times.

It's gruelling playing for an hour each time to get to have a go at the boss, only to die every time. Kinda killing my enjoyment of the game

[MetalHealth]

I finally beat the bear with the following
4 extra HP
the cannon
TNT immunity
fast reload

The cannon is amazing for anyone else struggling. I went on to kill the next boss too using it

[Joe/Mel]

Athletics perk makes the boss a lot easier.

[GenuineWinny]

It's a dodge roll test for sure, it has two attacks, a swipe and a charge. The charge has a delay and does damage as if the whole bear were a bullet so you have to dodge roll perpendicular to the bear. It's health bar is huge, so if you don't have the hollow point buff you should probably be using a shotgun of any type, or a slug gun if you can't find a shotgun.

I usually play Buck and the bear is super beatable with him as the slowest dude. It's like a real bear, small ammo just won't phase it, gotta wrastle it true grit style.

[timmythemic22]

This boss still is bullsh..it because even when i dodge with the flash i still get clipped. This boss needs nerfing