308 enough for brown/polar bear?

[Arken7mm]

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?

 

[memtb]

Yes…..but absolutely "Not" my first choice!

Bullets…. Barnes in what would be considered heavy for the .308 Win. In an attack scenario……Your not worried about long range velocity loss affecting expansion, you want maximum penetration ! memtb

 

[Dean2]

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.

 

[FEENIX]

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?

Do not worry about other people's thoughts; ask yourself if it is enough to save your life.

 

[Arken7mm]

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.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I guess a stout .308 bullet would be fine providing you had a 378Wby case driving it.

 

[FEENIX]

But, I still think the AK M77, Scar 17 or HK G3/PTR could have the advantage with the 20+ rounds of 308.

If you feel confident, then go for it.

 

[Arken7mm]

If you feel confident, then go for it.

This is a little more reassuring...

Alaskan Department of Fish and Game say the 270w, 308W and 30-06 rounds for big game (including 1500lb Brown Bears) are acceptable and that "Big magnums are not needed"...

Firearms and Ammunition for Hunting in Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Information on hunting and trapping in Alaska.

www.adfg.alaska.gov

 

[Mark37082]

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.

 

[Arken7mm]

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.

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.

 

[FEENIX]

This is a little more reassuring...

Alaskan Department of Fish and Game say the 270w, 308W and 30-06 rounds for big game (including 1500lb Brown Bears) are acceptable and that "Big magnums are not needed"...

Firearms and Ammunition for Hunting in Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Information on hunting and trapping in Alaska.

www.adfg.alaska.gov

My response in # 4 has not changed.

 

[mazroth]

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.

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.

 

[allaxis808]

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?

Consider the sig snakebite in 308. I have one and it runs very well