Addendum to my prior comment: While I have never fired a M1A I went thru Army basic training with an M-14 qualifying as expert, scoring 2nd highest in the company. I also carried one in Vietnam as part of an artillery unit. The M1A is a fine rifle and I wish I had one as companion to my three M1 Garands.
Can a SOCOM 16 Stop a Bear Attack?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
This, hence the bigger the better imho. Years ago a native Alaskan clocked a huge bear with a .22 in the ear. Still I’d want THE most powerful firearm I can handle. Hot 45/70 loads are right a .458 power levels. Given that you’re going to have to shoot quickly and that you’re not going to get but very few rounds off LOTS of energy and a BIG hole seems to be the hot set-up.
Smiledon#57
Operator
I am not a hunter, but this article was funny as the day is long.Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Can a SOCOM 16 Stop a Bear Attack?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/can-a-socom-16-stop-a-bear-attack/.
KillerFord1977
SAINT
A 6” knife can kill a martial art expert with a sword, but why show up with a 6” knife
vjb.knife1
Operator
I understand what you are saying but this discussion was a technical discussion of what caliber / cartridge would be capable of bringing down a bear and my point is that .308 is capable not whether or not a person has the stones to stand and deliver a shot on target. My only point is that the .308 is more than capable of putting down a bear.
On 1 November 1999 Gene Moe took out a Kodiak Bear with a Buck 110 Folding Hunter. Actually, he rendered it hors de combat and finished it off with his rifle, but he did take down the bear with a Buck Knife. Bella Twin killed the 1953 record grizzly bear with a single shot .22 rifle. I'm reasonably sure a .308 Winchester chambered rifle is enough gun for a Brownie or grizzlie.
KillerFord1977
SAINT
I could kick your a$$ with a pencil, but is it prudent. Not really.
Anything can overcome anything with the opportunity.
Is it realistic? Nope
Use the proper tool for the job
A trowel is not wise to build a skyscraper and a .308 is not wise for a brown bear.
CCJ
Operator
my 2C... 308 is more than capable. There are two way to stop and attack... hit a vital organ, or massive blood loss. The type load used will have some bearing on this, but generally speaking a .308 has enough hydro-shock and perpetration to deliver both. Unlike the soft tissues of the under belly, the muscular build and heavy bone structures will minimize the affects of both hydro-shock and perpetration so placement is still important, and I believe is the number one factor in stopping an attack if your weapon is capable of delivering on the noted. I would not feel under gunned with any firearm that can deliver hits to vital organs and provide significant tissue damage along the way... provided I have the skills to place that shot where it counts. Luck and skill is inversely proportional to the selected firearm abilities to deliver the aforementioned. If they made a pocket howitzer, that's what I would take. But in the real world we take what we can pack around and satisfies the assessment of our skill and nerve.
Some years ago I booked a Kodiak hunt after setting everything up I asked the guide what should I carry as a backup just in case he told me a 44mag or a 45LC loaded hot and heavy . Asked why not a .454 cas. and he told me because it only has 5rds and you might need something to fall back on.sic