I agree RH. If I had to tangle with a large bear and was armed with a .308 Winchester, though, a Swift A-Frame would be a good choice - as well as a Barnes X. But if you have the money to purchase another rifle, get a .338 or larger. A .416 Rem Mag wouldn't be too much gun, IMO.

I personally would be more than a little nervous on a big bear hunt with a .308. I would want a.338 as minimum, and larger sure would be better.

I love my .308 but if I were to spend what a bear hunt costs I would want to have as much mariginal as possible on my side.

I would trust my .308 with a 180 grain bullet when taking down a brown or black bear. Though, tackling a kodiak brown with the extra weight and skeletal structure I would use my .338 Lapua. With any other 30 caliber like the .308 and up, shot placement, correct weight of bullet, and setup is key to taking any big game predator.

You're better off using a .308 that you can shoot well than some giant howitzer that you're scared to death off. A lot of people make the mistake of buying a .458 recoil monster for brown bears and then they can't shoot it worth beans. I don't think I'd recommend anything smaller than 30-06 for browns, and preferrably something like the .300 or .338 Win Mags. If you're recoil sensitive though, just stick to what you're comfortable with.

Here's some good information from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game:

http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntalaska.firearms

AK Jeff

308 is a dandy round. I've loaded and shot deer with everything from 150 gr to 190 gr bullets. My Howa likes heavier 180 gr bullets but handles 165 almost as well. The only advantage a 06 has is there is no gun shop anywhere that doesn't have a couple of boxes of ammo around, the 308 isn't quite as wildly accepted (and I have no idea why)

So umm, yeah...I've never hunted for grizzlys and I LOVE the classic 308. Is it enough gun to put cleanly put one down, sure. But your not dealing with an animals size when you bear hunt, you have to take serious consideration that the think will figuratively and literally tear you apart if provoked and given the chance. Seeing that shooting the think is probabley sufficient provacation I'd want alot more gun than the 308 or 30-06!!! The 300s and 338s would seem like a reasonable place to start. Maybe you can find someone with a 416/458 ("whatevers") and judge the recoil yourself.

Pretty good article, Jeff. There are a lot of folks who would do well to heed that advice. But for those who can handle a the recoil of a larger caliber, at least for six or eight rounds, the extra performance sure doesn't hurt!

Roskoe, I've heard that in some regions according tohow the food supply has been for the bears that year, that a Gun Shot is called the "Dinner Bell Theory" to the bears!
Gun shot to them is dead game, come and get it!

bigpapa

I do not know if you got this question answered totally... Most evryone was comenting on the caliber

I really belive if you are taking what could be potential dangerous game take them with a dangerous bullet - a proven bullet - therefor I would recommend a Nosler 165 grain Partition... BC .319

2700 fps from the muzzle - 2672 fpe at the muzzle
2415 fps with 2137 fpe at 100

This bullet will not break up and it will penetrate. The mushroom is positive and the weight retention is outstanding.

I believe the 308 will do the job - bullet placement is a key factor - the Nosler will provide the performance you need. This gun should be considered marginal shooting Alaskan Browns. The experiance of the operator is really the key.