223 for bear

[Hog huntin Harry]

How idiotic would it be to use an ar-15 loaded with green tip 223 rounds for brown bear defense ?
Btw I mean the penatrators not the polymer tips

 

[troy fairweather]

Better then nothing.

 

[jmorris]

Better than using a squirt gun for water buffalo but wouldn’t be in my top 10 caliber picks for sure. However, someone will be along shortly saying it’s more than enough for the job.

 

[jmr40]

If it were all I had I'd make do, but not if other options were available. I've read that both AR's and Ruger Mini-14's are not uncommon among native Alaskans who have used them for this in the past.

 

[Patocazador]

I'd have a 30 round clip in if I had to use an AR-15 for bear.

 

[FL-NC]

Wouldn't recommend.

 

[jmorris]

I'd have a 30 round clip in if I had to use an AR-15 for bear.

Good point. How many bears are we defending against? Maybe an M249 with a 200 round belt? Just to keep them down while we call in air support.

 

[Obturation]

BEAR THREAD! Woooohoooo!
Well it would never be my choice i'm positive it is done. Defense is different than hunting, I could see some longer range shots taking their toll on a big bear but if it's face chewing time in 3 seconds I think it's a very poor choice. But I'm sure it's all been done. @caribou has input I would bet.

 

[Elkins45]

I would consider it if I owned an M16A1 with a high cyclic rate. It would be important to me that I put 30 holes in it ASAP. This is for brown bear. For black bear I think an A2 with three round burst might be OK. I wouldn’t want to chance it with a regular semi-auto.

If I were carrying an AR for bear defense I would prefer something heavier like 350 Legend or 450/458.

 

[Robert]

As others have pointed out, it's better than nothing, but there are so very many better choices.