308 enough for brown/polar bear?

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Arken7mm

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Have any of you ever taken a brown bear or polar bear with a 308 rifle? Is 308 enough for those size dangerous game? I'm more referring to a defensive gun to stop a charge instead of a long range hunting rifle.

I've read stories and reports that the Danish govt has soldiers on Greenland that have used 308 rifles and 10mm hand guns successfully against polar bears for years.

I was thinking about a 308 semi-auto rifle that can hold at least 20+ rounds like the AK M77, Scar 17 or HK G3/PTR style rifles where you can fire off more rounds quicker than a bolt action or Marlin lever gun.

Ammo? Barnes TSX/TTSX, Swift A-Frame?
 
Considering that when I worked in the north the natives shot them with a 223, and still do, the 308 should work just fine. The northern Rangers used 303 British for 70 years, and have just switched to 308. Those both get used a LOT to hunt with and none of them were ever used to ward off attacks by foreign forces that I know of.
 
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Arken7mm said:
Have any of you ever taken a brown bear or polar bear with a 308 rifle? Is 308 enough for those size dangerous game? I'm more referring to a defensive gun to stop a charge instead of a long range hunting rifle.

I've read stories and reports that the Danish govt has soldiers on Greenland that have used 308 rifles and 10mm hand guns successfully against polar bears for years.

I was thinking about a 308 semi-auto rifle that can hold at least 20+ rounds like the AK M77, Scar 17 or HK G3/PTR style rifles where you can fire off more rounds quicker than a bolt action or Marlin lever gun.

Ammo? Barnes TSX/TTSX, Swift A-Frame?
Click to expand...
Do not worry about other people's thoughts; ask yourself if it is enough to save your life.

What gun would you want now GRIZZLY BEAR.jpg
 
I ask because I contemplated a semi-auto shot gun with slugs but I read and seen a lot of YT videos about how most shotgun shells are not waterproof. Very few manufacturers make waterproof shotgun shells. If I could find more waterproof shotgun slugs I would seriously consider the Beretta AS300 Ultima Patrol. But, I still think the AK M77, Scar 17 or HK G3/PTR could have the advantage with the 20+ rounds of 308.
 
Big bear protection gets quite a bit of conversation here. Choose your weapon and keep it real handy, if you're in bear country. I've done a lot of duck hunting in foul weather and never had an issue with failure to fire. A semi auto 308 is going to be fairly heavy if it is your secondary bear protection gun.
 
Mark37082 said:
Big bear protection gets quite a bit of conversation here. Choose your weapon and keep it real handy, if you're in bear country. I've done a lot of duck hunting in foul weather and never had an issue with failure to fire. A semi auto 308 is going to be fairly heavy if it is your secondary bear protection gun.
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The 308 semi-auto rifle will be my primary protection. I'll also have a 44 mag revolver in a chest holster as a backup. I'm leaning towards the AK Zastava M77.
 
Arken7mm said:
The 308 semi-auto rifle will be my primary protection. I'll also have a 44 mag revolver in a chest holster as a backup. I'm leaning towards the AK Zastava M77.
Click to expand...
Had a M77 years ago. Think it was about a 20" barrel, had a thumbhole stock with a slant cut receiver. Back then, there wasnt much in the way of mags. A company named CSS specs made some nice metal mags. It shot well with some steel soft point ammo. Thats one I wish I hadnt traded away, believe it was 550 back then. Just be sure it will run well with the ammo you choose and mag.
 
Arken7mm said:
Have any of you ever taken a brown bear or polar bear with a 308 rifle? Is 308 enough for those size dangerous game? I'm more referring to a defensive gun to stop a charge instead of a long range hunting rifle.

I've read stories and reports that the Danish govt has soldiers on Greenland that have used 308 rifles and 10mm hand guns successfully against polar bears for years.

I was thinking about a 308 semi-auto rifle that can hold at least 20+ rounds like the AK M77, Scar 17 or HK G3/PTR style rifles where you can fire off more rounds quicker than a bolt action or Marlin lever gun.

Ammo? Barnes TSX/TTSX, Swift A-Frame?
Click to expand...
Consider the sig snakebite in 308. I have one and it runs very well
 
You could do an AR10 pistol in 308....if the bullet doesnt kill it then thr muzzle blast should set it on fire 🤣. In all seriousness a 308 win with a heavy 185-200 stout projectile (something like a hot core or other Spitzer) will kill any large game in North America at reasonable distances. A good charge of 2000MR will get you where you need to be.
 

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