.308 Win for hunting

gdeal · July 22, 2009, 05:29 PM

could you use the Springfield Armory SoCOM 16 for hunting dangerous North American game?

davlandrum · July 22, 2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

hunting dangerous North American game?

Do you mean bears? Grizzly and Brown?

I think you meant the question to be "would you..?" Because I could, but I wouldn't.

gdeal · July 22, 2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Do you mean bears? Grizzly and Brown?

I think you meant the question to be "would you..?" Because I could, but I wouldn't.

Ok. Thanks. Let's cut to the chase and close this thread out.
What would be the best rifle and the best round for hunting Grizzly Bears?
Or.. what would be some very good rifleS and roundS to do that kind of hunting?

Doc Intrepid · July 22, 2009, 06:33 PM

I don't know that it's the BEST....

There are many rounds and rifles that would work.

But the .338 Winchester Magnum is a nice round, and with something like a heavy Barnes bullet would do the trick assuming you put the round where it needs to go.

Other guys like .375s and even .458s. Here's a link:
http://www.huntingmag.com/big_game/b...ng/index1.html

JMHO...

YMMV.

Edward429451 · July 22, 2009, 06:35 PM

45/70 heavy hardcast bullets

lockedcj7 · July 22, 2009, 06:48 PM

I wouldn't hunt brown bears with anything less than a .338 win. mag. A Ruger Hawkeye alaskan in .375 would be just the ticket.

W. C. Quantrill · July 22, 2009, 09:39 PM

You'de do well to check with Alaska or Canada game people to see what they allow and recommend.

hardluk1 · July 23, 2009, 02:30 PM

Talk to your outfitter about what they would like to see, This is a good place to be over gunned than under.308??? NO. Bet a 338win mag would be a starting spot.

Buzzcook · July 23, 2009, 11:37 PM

It really depends on how and where you're going to hunt the grizzly. It also depends on how good a shot you are.

It seems like most people plan on a grizzly that jumps up at 20yds and charges. If that's the norm, then you need a very big caliber. I'm not a grizzly expert so I can't challenge that perception. It just doesn't seem like that'd be the norm, especially on a guided hunt.

Last month someone posted pics of a guy with two mammoth bears that he'd shot with an M1 Carbine. I guess that guy didn't get the message

hardluk1 · July 24, 2009, 02:17 PM

If i saw a grizz at 20 yards i would want a 416 rem.

gdeal · July 24, 2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

If i saw a grizz at 20 yards i would want a 416 rem.

Yeah but the only problem is you won't always have that with you, right?

Doc Intrepid · July 24, 2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardluk1

"If i saw a grizz at 20 yards i would want a 416 rem."

Heh...

If at 20 yards, I'd prefer a semi-automatic 12 ga shotgun with a magazine extension that holds 8-9 rounds of Brenneke slugs -

http://www.brennekeusa.com/

http://www.dixieslugs.com/products.html

At that range you'll have something on the order of seconds if the bear charges...

hardluk1 · July 24, 2009, 02:40 PM

If was going grizzy hunting i would probably have a guide in front and with two big bores between us a 338 in all likelyhood is what i would carry but with barnes bullets. now at 20 yards , shot the guide and run ,,right?? hehehe Better hope you see him first and 2 quick shots do the job..

gdeal · July 24, 2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

If was going grizzy hunting i would probably have a guide in front ...

Yeah I think that would be the only way to go dangerous game hunting. I wouldn't want to do it by myself.

publius · July 24, 2009, 05:06 PM

If I were going to buy a gun for grizzly it would be a .375 H&H. But I would probably just use my .338 b/c I already have it.

RobertRogers · July 24, 2009, 05:59 PM

Of course it depends upon what you think of as dangerous. Whitetail deer are dangerous, as numerous people have discovered the hard way.

Doyle · July 25, 2009, 09:14 PM

Get a lot of those dangerous grizzly bears in southern Commiefornia do ya?

Fat White Boy · July 25, 2009, 10:53 PM

I have heard unconfirmed reports of grizzly in Sequoia National Forest. The Black bears in California can get sizeable. A world record for archery black bear was set in 2008 in Northern California. It's skull measured 23 13/16. That would put it's weight in the 700-800 pound range. California ranks behind only Alaska on the West Coast in the number of black bears submitted for records and 7th overall in the U.S. The last Grizzly killed in Southern California was back in the 1890's. They were a fairly common sight in the 1700/1800's in SoCal, frequently seen on the beach eating whale and seal carcasses...Coincidently, these same carcasses were a major food source for the California Condor.

See what happens when you save the whales? The frickin grizzlies and Condors go extinct!!!

A bumper sticker I have seen-"Nuke the gay baby whales"

gdeal · July 26, 2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

I have heard unconfirmed reports of grizzly in Sequoia National Forest. The Black bears in California can get sizeable. A world record for archery black bear was set in 2008 in Northern California. It's skull measured 23 13/16. That would put it's weight in the 700-800 pound range. California ranks behind only Alaska on the West Coast in the number of black bears submitted for records and 7th overall in the U.S. The last Grizzly killed in Southern California was back in the 1890's. They were a fairly common sight in the 1700/1800's in SoCal, frequently seen on the beach eating whale and seal carcasses...Coincidently, these same carcasses were a major food source for the California Condor.

See what happens when you save the whales? The frickin grizzlies and Condors go extinct!!!

That's interesting.

Art Eatman · July 27, 2009, 07:48 AM

The term "dangerous game" is generally taken to mean the larger bears of Alaska and the African critters such as the lion and buffalo. There is the issue of "stop" as well as that of "kill". A .308 is nowhere near the proper selection for these.

By and large, there are no huntable animals in the lower 48 which can't readily be dealt with via a .308.

Steve1911 · July 27, 2009, 08:53 AM

You could buy a Mosin Nagant... It is 1mm longer than the .308 ...

If you take more than 5 shots to take him down you could always beat him to death with the gun...

It all comes back to shot placement.

Old Grump · July 27, 2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

could you use the Springfield Armory SoCOM 16 for hunting dangerous North American game?

You could but you shouldn't. I wouldn't be afraid to use it on Elk or Moose or even Cougar but anything that weighs 3 times more than me, can run 2 times faster than me and can eat me...NO! Start with 338 and work your way up from there. Whatever you can handle and can afford. Even a 12 gauge trumps your 308 at bear distances. (no, buckshot is not a good idea either)

July 22, 2009, 05:29 PM	#1
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 748	.308 Win for hunting could you use the Springfield Armory SoCOM 16 for hunting dangerous North American game?

July 22, 2009, 06:33 PM	#4
Doc Intrepid Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,037	I don't know that it's the BEST.... There are many rounds and rifles that would work. But the .338 Winchester Magnum is a nice round, and with something like a heavy Barnes bullet would do the trick assuming you put the round where it needs to go. Other guys like .375s and even .458s. Here's a link: http://www.huntingmag.com/big_game/b...ng/index1.html JMHO... YMMV. __________________ *Treat everyone you meet with dignity and respect....but have a plan to kill them just in case.* Last edited by Doc Intrepid; July 22, 2009 at 06:40 PM. Reason: added link

July 22, 2009, 06:48 PM	#6
lockedcj7 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Posts: 1,215	I wouldn't hunt brown bears with anything less than a .338 win. mag. A Ruger Hawkeye alaskan in .375 would be just the ticket. __________________ To a much greater extent than most mechanical devices, firearms are terribly unforgiving of any overconfidence, complacency or negligence. Last edited by lockedcj7; July 22, 2009 at 06:56 PM.

July 22, 2009, 09:39 PM	#7
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	You'de do well to check with Alaska or Canada game people to see what they allow and recommend. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

July 24, 2009, 05:06 PM	#15
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	If I were going to buy a gun for grizzly it would be a .375 H&H. But I would probably just use my .338 b/c I already have it. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

July 22, 2009, 06:35 PM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	45/70 heavy hardcast bullets

July 23, 2009, 02:30 PM	#8
hardluk1 Junior member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 600	Talk to your outfitter about what they would like to see, This is a good place to be over gunned than under.308??? NO. Bet a 338win mag would be a starting spot.

July 23, 2009, 11:37 PM	#9
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	It really depends on how and where you're going to hunt the grizzly. It also depends on how good a shot you are. It seems like most people plan on a grizzly that jumps up at 20yds and charges. If that's the norm, then you need a very big caliber. I'm not a grizzly expert so I can't challenge that perception. It just doesn't seem like that'd be the norm, especially on a guided hunt. Last month someone posted pics of a guy with two mammoth bears that he'd shot with an M1 Carbine. I guess that guy didn't get the message

July 24, 2009, 02:17 PM	#10
hardluk1 Junior member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 600	If i saw a grizz at 20 yards i would want a 416 rem.

July 24, 2009, 02:40 PM	#13
hardluk1 Junior member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 600	If was going grizzy hunting i would probably have a guide in front and with two big bores between us a 338 in all likelyhood is what i would carry but with barnes bullets. now at 20 yards , shot the guide and run ,,right?? hehehe Better hope you see him first and 2 quick shots do the job..

July 24, 2009, 05:59 PM	#16
RobertRogers Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 64	Of course it depends upon what you think of as dangerous. Whitetail deer are dangerous, as numerous people have discovered the hard way. __________________ When in Doubt, reboot FireSteel.com SurvivalTopics.com

July 25, 2009, 09:14 PM	#17
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Get a lot of those dangerous grizzly bears in southern Commiefornia do ya?

July 25, 2009, 10:53 PM	#18
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I have heard unconfirmed reports of grizzly in Sequoia National Forest. The Black bears in California can get sizeable. A world record for archery black bear was set in 2008 in Northern California. It's skull measured 23 13/16. That would put it's weight in the 700-800 pound range. California ranks behind only Alaska on the West Coast in the number of black bears submitted for records and 7th overall in the U.S. The last Grizzly killed in Southern California was back in the 1890's. They were a fairly common sight in the 1700/1800's in SoCal, frequently seen on the beach eating whale and seal carcasses...Coincidently, these same carcasses were a major food source for the California Condor. See what happens when you save the whales? The frickin grizzlies and Condors go extinct!!! A bumper sticker I have seen-"Nuke the gay baby whales" Last edited by Fat White Boy; July 25, 2009 at 11:02 PM.

July 27, 2009, 07:48 AM	#20
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	The term "dangerous game" is generally taken to mean the larger bears of Alaska and the African critters such as the lion and buffalo. There is the issue of "stop" as well as that of "kill". A .308 is nowhere near the proper selection for these. By and large, there are no huntable animals in the lower 48 which can't readily be dealt with via a .308.

July 27, 2009, 08:53 AM	#21
Steve1911 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Posts: 431	You could buy a Mosin Nagant... It is 1mm longer than the .308 ... If you take more than 5 shots to take him down you could always beat him to death with the gun... It all comes back to shot placement.