[CodeToad]

NOTHIGN in 223 is good for shooting bears. A powerful handgun is a better choice than a weak rifle.

[Redcitizen]

"NOTHING in 223 is good for shooting bears."

Nonsense! You just haven't been shooting the right ammo. ;)

[MHGinTN]

223/556 is not 'a weak rifle'. Add the AK74 in the same frame as not a weak rifle. Penetration and tumbling are devastating to living things, even trees.Two or three AK74 rounds in the chest of a bear will drop the creature. ONE 556 through the mouth and into the brainstem (which is purely penetration oriented) will drop a bear of any size in their tracks. A .22lr through the mouth and into the brain stem of a griz will drop the bear.

The point is that the .223 and the 5.56 and the 5.45 x 39 and the 7.62 x 39 all will kill a bear. Shot placement and follow-up accuracy is the key