bigpapa

About a month ago I inherited a Remington model 742 in a .308 chambering. It has previously sat in my grandmothers attic for about 20 years. It's going to be a beautiful gun (I say that because I'm having it stripped down and re-blued in the off season. I took care of a lot of rust myself but it's worth it to have it totaly reblued). My grandfather imbedded in the walnut stock a 1904 Morgan silver dollar. The scope is a Bauch & Laum 3x9x40. I took it to a friends house to try it out. He said "I can't imagine the scope would be on!" His comment was WAY wrong! The rusted on scope shot perfectly. 3 weeks later I killed a button buck from 75 yards with it. I've been using Rem Core Lockt 150 grn cartrages. It did a hella number on the deer leaving a drenching blood trail and obliterated it's lungs and heart. I was estatic. Now comes the question. Next year I'm going on abrown bear hunt I'll have enough money saved up to purchase a new rifle prior to the hunt if needed. Should I get a new rifle or just use my .308 One friend said I should get a the 30-06But I kinda feel that it would be a waste of money. If I get a new rifle what are some good options. Just looking for advice. Thanks.

Duckbutter48

Yes the 308 is enough. I prob use a little heavier bullet then a 150grn like a 180 and prob use one with a little better construction then a corelok, with factory ammo I prob get a bonded bullet or a Winchest CT bullet which costs more then the coreloks but are usually more reliable.
The only issue you may have with the 308 is if you are shooting extremely long ranges like 400+ yards. You may wish you had a larger gun but anything in the 300ish yard range or less youll be fine. Just practice some longer shots if thats what youll bedoing.

30-06 would def be a waste of $ if you have a 308. If you want to go up to a Magnum or short mag in a larger caliber ie.. 300 or 7mm or 338 or something like that would be worth the $ but still wouldnt be NEEDED.

Good luck on trip.

Sniper151

The 308 Win is my favorite caliber, but I would not recommend it for the big bears. My choice for brown bear is the 375 H&H mag with open sights or a low power, 1.5 x 5 scope.

Ruddyduck

The 308 is a dandy round and one of my favorites for deer and is a good round for elk and such if used within it's limitations. On large animls such as moose or elk I'd keep shots 200 yards and under with a well constructed 180 grain bullet.
Can you kill a Brownie with a 308 ? Sure ,but a brown bear is a tuff customer and depending on time of year the bullet has to punch thru fat ,muscle and rib cage bone at the least. It has to deliver alot of energy so a shot IMHO with a 308 would have to be in the 125 yard range max.
For the great bear I believe it is a marginal round for all but the experienced marksman/hunter. I believe a 30o mag is a better choice with the 338 and 375 H & H my top vote getters for bears.

Rebel Hog

On Brownies?

Tony Orlando and Dawn

I wouldn't be afraid to use a .308 on any North American game, provided I was using the right bullets.

Rebel Hog

You would use a .308 on a Grizz or Kodiak!

bigpapa

Right bullets? Currently I'm using Rem. Core Lockt 150grn. Is there a better alternative?

superman8791

I dont think when hunting a grizz you ask the question is XXXX enough gun? Its not like its a deer and you can get away with a "light for the game" gun. If a deer runs off and dies it doesn matter, but a grizzly might kill YOU then run off and die. I think the question for grizzlys is not "is this ENOUGH gun", but it is "is this PLENTY of gun?"

Rebel Hog

My minimum onBrownies and above is .338 Mag! I use BLR .358!