308 Win for Grizzly?? Opinions

[325]

I was drawn for grizzly for this spring, and will most likely take my 325 WSM loaded with 200 grain Accubonds. However, my absolute favorite rifle is chambered in 308 Win, and I have recently loaded up some 168 TTSX cruising at about 2750 fps. I shoot my 308 better than my 325...the rifle just fits me better. My shots will be within 150 yards (self-imposed max for grizzly). I'm tempted to use my 308. Thoughts?

[BimmerBob]

Go with it, with that kind of velocity, bullet and range it will work just fine.

[todbartell]

I'd go 325WSM or why bother owning it?

[325]

I'd go 325WSM or why bother owning it?

Funny you should ask! I actually plan on selling it. I bought it used for a steal. It only had 20 shots through it, so I had to buy it, but I never really "bonded" with it, although I did shoot a grizzly and a few whitetail with it before getting my newest 308.

I'm sure I will end up using the 325 again for my grizzly hunt, but am certainly tempted to use my 308.

[Foxton Gundogs]

I'd go 325WSM or why bother owning it?

Bingo, do a bit of practising with it between now and then, a good 220 grain bullet and your good to go. G bears have been killed with less of a rifle than a 308 but just because you can doesn't mean you should. My 325 would have been my choice had I been drawn this year.

[todbartell]

I'd go grizzly hunting with a 308 loaded with 168gr TTSX, but if I had a 325WSM in the safe I'd go that route.

I do have a 308 in the safe :D it won't be going for grizzly this spring. Neither will my 300 Win Mag or 348 Win, it'll be my 375 Ruger with 250gr TTSX and backup will be 338-06 loaded with 210gr TTSX. Like you I don't plan on shooting past 150 yards

[325]

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, my grizzly hunting partner will be carrying his 416 Rigby as backup

[Foxton Gundogs]

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, my grizzly hunting partner will be carrying his 416 Rigby as backup
I still say the 325, backup is just what the name implies it is not something to be relied on as a reason to be under gunned. As I said I was going to use my 325 with either a 45-70 with 540 gr "train stoppers" or 458WM with 500 gr DG bullets as back up depending which hunt I was drawn on.

[325]

The grizzly I shot with my 325 WSM didn't go more than a few steps, which is what I expected. I've never shot a grizzly with a 308 win, but I have shot a few moose and a couple of elk, from 25 yards to 380 yards with my 308 using 150 grain TSX and TTSX. Those little bullets smashed through any bone they hit, and I've only recovered one, as pass-throughs are the norm. Now my elk were big, mature bulls and my moose were, well, moose. Much larger than an interior grizzly. A grizzly has much thinner skin than either a moose or elk, so I think for hunting grizzly (not stopping a charge) my 308 with 168 ttsx should work very well. As for stopping a charge, a good first shot should minimize the possibility of having to do that anyway.

[adriaticum]

Shot placement is key.
If you take an axe and strike the bear in the right place, it will kill it, lol

[todbartell]

While bears will weigh less than an elk or moose, they seem to die tough. I've shot many black bears, they have glass jaws. Down at the shot then rolling around and back up...the more you shoot them sometimes they more alive they get

325WSM

[325]

While bears will weigh less than an elk or moose, they seem to die tough. I've shot many black bears, they have glass jaws. Down at the shot then rolling around and back up...the more you shoot them sometimes they more alive they get

325WSM

Yes, especially if they get the chance to get adrenalized. I'm sure I will use my 325WSM , as it does provide some measure of insurance if things go sideways. I'll blow the dust off it and head to the range with it this weekend.

[.264winmag]

Your pet load gives little up to an 06', a readily accepted grizz round...

[rcar]

Funny you should ask! I actually plan on selling it. I bought it used for a steal. It only had 20 shots through it, so I had to buy it, but I never really "bonded" with it, although I did shoot a grizzly and a few whitetail with it before getting my newest 308.

I'm sure I will end up using the 325 again for my grizzly hunt, but am certainly tempted to use my 308.

Well if you sell your 325, you will have to change your name to 308:D

[srupp]

hmmm skip the .308..use the .325 for far too many reasons...02 cents

cheers and congrads

steven

[swampthing]

Your 308 is plenty big for grizz. I am a 325 guy but the 308 will kill well. I always want to take my 257 weatherby because it will shoot right through a grizz with a 100gr ttsx and make a faster kill than my 325, but, the 325 is more "politically" correct for the task.

[scoutlt1]

It is simply not possible to kill anything bigger than a rabbit or squirrel without using a magnum.

[M.Dean]

It is simply not possible to kill anything bigger than a rabbit or squirrel without using a magnum. Amen!!! Truer words have not been spoken on this subject of a hunter wanting to be mauled, or even eaten alive after pissing off a Grizzly Bear by shooting it with a 308 Rifle! Maybe, if you put out a big pile of apples, then waited until the Grizz was feeding and you could get within 75 to 80 yards from it, then slowly wait until he's positioned absolutely perfect so that tiny bullet hits his heart, lungs, brain and both front shoulders all at once, you maybe OK. Be safe, take your 325 and come back in one piece!!! And take lots of pictures!

[REMINGTON JIM]

168 gr TTSX at 2750 out of a 308 is only 400 fps slower then out of a 300 Win mag - it will kill a G Bear no problem with a proper placed shot - just take any " Chance " shots ! I would perfer the 200 gr-ers out of the 325 WSM myself - but the 308 will get it done ! jmo RJ

[Rattler]

Think I would go with your 325, for all the reasons stated already. I had the same dilemma between my 280 and 300WM on my last gbear hunt. Used my 300 because of extra insurance in the end and it was the reason why I bought it:-D.

Look forward to seeing your gbear adventures...

[mikek blacktail]

use the 308,lung shot and hes done.

[srupp]

use the 308,lung shot and hes done.

Hmm wrong weapon for that animal.wrong tactic on where to shoot him , it just has too many reasons to rodeo out of control.

Srupp

[BCHunterTV]

http://youtu.be/Xxz-gDDt_dc?t=4m9s

[itsy bitsy xj]

It is simply not possible to kill anything bigger than a rabbit or squirrel without using a magnum.

I read that on the interweb so it must be true

[BCHunterTV]

I'm using a 30-06 with 180 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Tip

[todbartell]

http://youtu.be/Xxz-gDDt_dc?t=4m9s

well that what happens when you shoot it in the groin first shot - seems a bit bullet proof all of a sudden? Proves that the first shot is the only one that counts

[srupp]

Hmmm tremendous bear...387 yards? Lol yup bring a .308 make em the 160 grain...shoot at a qurtering shot moving target at insane distance..
Imagine shooting that beheamoth and not anchoring him? Ya lung shot...
Great video todbartell

[The Dawg]

well that what happens when you shoot it in the groin first shot - seems a bit bullet proof all of a sudden? Proves that the first shot is the only one that counts


No kidding. Horrible first shot.

I put mine down with one through the lungs. First shot is what counts as TB said.

[Whonnock Boy]

These videos shouldn't even be posted for the general public, and I especially wouldn't be whoopin' and hollerin'. I would be embarrassed.

[OutWest]

Hmm wrong weapon for that animal.wrong tactic on where to shoot him , it just has too many reasons to rodeo out of control.

Srupp

Don't know too many animals that get very far without a set of lungs.

[Fred1]

Nice shootin'!

[todbartell]

In general the higher the SD the better the penetration(other factors being equal)
The gun pundits say that for dangerous game such as grizzly SD should be .300 & up

problem with sectional density is that bullet construction trumps it. A 200gr Berger will vaporize on heavy muscle and bone, and a 130gr Barnes TTSX will punch on through. I've done tests where a 300 savage loaded with 150gr TTSX will out penetrate a 300 Winchester magnum with 180gr Speer soft points at 20 yard impacts

[.264winmag]

I ran a 185 Berger through both lungs and exited with a 3" hole on a grizz at 400 yds, 300 h&h 2850mv. Traveled 15 ft and piled up.

[avadad]

These videos shouldn't even be posted for the general public, and I especially wouldn't be whoopin' and hollerin'. I would be embarrassed.

Agreed. Hunter's who post sloppy prolonged kills are doing the hunting community a disservice. We don't need this kind of publicity.

[tangozulu]

Killed 1 with 150 gr .270 and another with 250 gr .338 and both died the same, quick.

[chilko]

problem with sectional density is that bullet construction trumps it. A 200gr Berger will vaporize on heavy muscle and bone, and a 130gr Barnes TTSX will punch on through. I've done tests where a 300 savage loaded with 150gr TTSX will out penetrate a 300 Winchester magnum with 180gr Speer soft points at 20 yard impacts


Slow that Speer down about 200 fps ( say a 150 yd shot) and the penetration will be significantly better. Matching impact velocity to bullet construction is the key to performance.

[todbartell]

I ran a 185 Berger through both lungs and exited with a 3" hole on a grizz at 400 yds, 300 h&h 2850mv. Traveled 15 ft and piled up.

I didn't mean to imply that a Berger couldn't kill a bear, obviously it can. A lung shot at 2200 fps impact probably expands/penetrates somewhat reliably and the results show it. I'd bet that more grizzly are shot inside 100 yards than beyond 200, so for most situations a thin jacketed, unbonded target bullet isn't the top choice

[todbartell]

Slow that Speer down about 200 fps ( say a 150 yd shot) and the penetration will be significantly better. Matching impact velocity to bullet construction is the key to performance.

That's correct, but that 180gr Speer @ 2960 fps MV is a very popular 300 Win Mag factory load (Federal Power Shok #300WBS). When hunting you can't always pick your perfect shots, so a close range shot through bone is a real possibility.

here's the pics from the test. Pine firewood, 300 Savage 150gr TTSX @ 2765 fps vs 300 Win Mag 180gr Speer @ 2960 fps

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/190750_10150121265427992_4847886_n.jpg?oh=5ee1ead8 6105102d1f7d957b3021efc9&oe=55854A5B&__gda__=1434195850_5fb9906d53acfec19d37ad816add019 9

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/196783_10150121268677992_2494522_n.jpg?oh=2bed3e83 5141d72db722ffad2c19ee2b&oe=5583A31C

[.264winmag]

That's correct, but that 180gr Speer @ 2960 fps MV is a very popular 300 Win Mag factory load (Federal Power Shok #300WBS). When hunting you can't always pick your perfect shots, so a close range shot through bone is a real possibility.

here's the pics from the test. Pine firewood, 300 Savage 150gr TTSX @ 2765 fps vs 300 Win Mag 180gr Speer @ 2960 fps

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/190750_10150121265427992_4847886_n.jpg?oh=5ee1ead8 6105102d1f7d957b3021efc9&oe=55854A5B&__gda__=1434195850_5fb9906d53acfec19d37ad816add019 9

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/196783_10150121268677992_2494522_n.jpg?oh=2bed3e83 5141d72db722ffad2c19ee2b&oe=5583A31C
Fairly similar penetration, I'd say either would have broken shoulder and entered lungs and neither exited. My question would be does the frangibility of the softer bullet increase hydrostatic shock and speed up kill? In my experience it does. Alaskan brown bear guides recommend one bullet, best of both worlds. Partition.

[chilko]

That's correct, but that 180gr Speer @ 2960 fps MV is a very popular 300 Win Mag factory load (Federal Power Shok #300WBS). When hunting you can't always pick your perfect shots, so a close range shot through bone is a real possibility.

here's the pics from the test. Pine firewood, 300 Savage 150gr TTSX @ 2765 fps vs 300 Win Mag 180gr Speer.

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/196783_10150121268677992_2494522_n.jpg?oh=2bed3e83 5141d72db722ffad2c19ee2b&oe=5583A31C


Illustrates the the reason I chose the 30-06 over the magnums in the poll question. Historically, shots over 300 yds are an insignificant factor in my hunting, and at point blank range , bullet selection in the '06 is less critical than in the magnums.

[one-shot-wonder]

I use my 7-08 with handload accubonds for everything including grizzly. Let the air out of any animals lungs and it's dead. Bullet selection is more a question in mind over the 325 vs 308. Go with your 308 by the sounds of it is a hand in glove situation.

[Pioneerman]

If you used the all copper bullet in the faster guns again the bullet will perform better than the lead bullet, it is not so much the speed or caliber, but bullet choice. If bullet does not hold together does not matter how fast it goes. I have had the Barnes and the Hornady GMX bullets end up just like he one on the left from my 300 mag and my 416 rem mag. It is bullet choice. I see a lot saying if you lung shoot with any bullet it will die, true. But do you want to lung it and wait or would you rather break the shoulder or two watch it fall and die ? I would rather stop it where it stands rather than run out of air and adrenaline , especially if close range.

[BromBones]

Have tangled with a grizzly or two. They have lungs & a heart and when a bullet goes through them, they die like anything else.

It's just that sometimes they go apeshit for a few minutes after they get hit, and in the wrong situation you may have some trouble on your hands. That's where 'stopping power' comes in when you need it and the 325 WSM with heavy lead brings up the bottom end of that class.

I have no issue with hunting grizz with standard cartridges, just put yourself in a perfect situation and NEVER shoot until you know 100% that it's gonna be a clean shot. (goes for whatever cartridge you take but be a little extra picky with a lighter cal.)

Last grizz we got the shooter had an 8mm Rem Mag and 220 A-Frames. We were following a feeding grizz, and for over an hour had no other view than his rear end as we cat and moused our way behind him. Over a dozen 'almost but not quite' shot opportunities. In all honesty he could have given that bear a Texas Ringer at any time and the 8 Mag would have flattened him :) But the point is we waited it out and ended up with a perfect shot and a dead bear.

And before anyone gets upset or confused, I'm not condoning shooting a grizzly in the bum just because you have a powerful gun, with huge bullets. :)

[Grolar]

my friend had to pump twice in the lungs and then go chase it and pump another one and he using a 300win 180 partition at 3000 fps.....so a 325wsm would be a better choice

[Timbow]

I would ask myself this question. If I shot the bear with the lighter caliber and it flees wounded into the thick brush, am I willing to go after it with that same gun not knowing if the bear is dead or requires follow up shots.

Good of luck with your choice and I hope you're successful. Hope to see pictures and read a story.