308Win and bullets

[Mtl]

Hi,

I am new to the forum. First bearhunt coming up this year. I have been using my 308Win for years and I am very familiar with it. Really would not want to by a new bigger gun for this unless its really a safety issue. I am a firm believer of shot displacement.

I just bought some 168gr Barnes Tsx bullets, which i am planning to reload as fast as possible. Also planning to reload some Nosler Partition and then decide which one to go with. Anybody else using 308Win? Would be nice to hear experiences and your bullet choises. Thanks. Great forum.

Mtl

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Are you referring to black bears?

 

[brentc]

Hi,

I am new to the forum. First bearhunt coming up this year. I have been using my 308Win for years and I am very familiar with it. Really would not want to by a new bigger gun for this unless its really a safety issue. I am a firm believer of shot displacement.

I just bought some 168gr Barnes Tsx bullets, which i am planning to reload as fast as possible. Also planning to reload some Nosler Partition and then decide which one to go with. Anybody else using 308Win? Would be nice to hear experiences and your bullet choises. Thanks. Great forum.

Mtl

I dropped a six + foot black bear at 220 yards in his tracks a couple years ago with my suppressed .308 with a 168 grain Nosler E-tip.

Your bullet choices are excellent. Run the one that shoots the best in your rifle. Black bears can be tough buggers no matter what you shoot them with. Shot placement is key.

 

[skinnyjk]

Both are excellent bullets, the Barnes will penetrate deeper on less than ideal shot angles. You definitely have enough gun.

 

[sourdough44]

If over bait or hounds most shots are very close, 15-25 yrds or so. Usually one has time for good shot placement. Your 308 would be fine for black bears.

When over bait and the wind is favorable one should be able to place the shot precisely. I shot one bear with my 300WSM through the 'boiler room' with a 180 grain partition. This bear went about 50 yards.

I later shot one at the base of the neck with my 284 Winchester. That bear was lights out instantly.

Good luck on the bear hunt.

 

[Boom]

165 accubond from a suppressed 308 was all we needed for my sons first bear this year. Good placement...dead bear!

 

[Mtl]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Will be hunting Brownbears.

Mtl

 

[sourdough44]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Will be hunting Brownbears.

Mtl

As in 'Brown Bears/Griz' in AK? I have an acquaintance who shot an AK Grizzly with his 300WSM. This bear was one shot and down, with a premium bullet.

If 'brown bear' hunting in AK most would want a larger gun than a 308, not that a 308 is totally unacceptable.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I shoot a 338 RUM all year long but when I decided to do a brown bear hunt I went out and bought a 375 Ruger. I like myself too much to fool around with giant toothy critters.
However, I'm sure natives have killed polar bears with their .223's so good luck with whatever you decide to use.

 

[dasbear]

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread but this is just my experience. I shoot a TC encore in 308AI 15" barrel Hornady 180gr fb @ 2450 fps. First bear I shot at 75yds hit left shoulder out behind right shoulder absolutely lights out. Second bear 35-40 yards hit right shoulder absolutely lights out again but this time NO exit NO blood the bullet hit heavy bone and fragmented now I cant really complain because I still didn't loose much of the shoulder but I was very shocked that there wasn't enough mass left to exit. I have never liked the idea of spending 50.00 for a box of bullets but will entertain that option now. The real exspense comes from all of the load development.

 

[dasbear]

I have to make corrections to the above post as I stated the second bear had no exit wound WELL I got the hide back from the taxidermist and guess what!
Yes an exit wound pin hole in 1/2" hole out. There was no blood whatsoever, no hair either I think the fat just sealed it up so the 180 hornady fbsp did exspand.