SKS for spring bear??

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Still alive

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Hey guys,
Posted earlier in Milsurp regarding hunting spring bear with a Mosin M38. Got some good tips on ammo. Went to the local store but they don't stock any hunting ammo in 7.62x54R and can't get any in in time for my trip this week. So I went back today and got 123gr JSP ammo made by Fusion in 7.62x39 for my SKS instead. Bloody expensive stuff compared to milsurp ammo!! This will be my first bear hunt and am wondering if this round and caliber is suitable at all for bear?? If not, the last resort may be the bayonet at the end!!
 
Only if you have no other option... I would look to borrow a rifle from a friend or relative and get it sighted in before the hunt... anything in the standard 7mm to .30 cal... 7.62X39 will get it done but I wouldn't want an SKS as the launching pad on my first bear hunt... when I guided, I had several loaners for those sports who showed up with SKS's.
 
At close range under 75 yards yes. The sks is not a precision rifle and crude open sights against a black bear aren't the best option. Stay away from the shoulders. Heart and lungs broadside shot. Bears aren't hard to kill
 
I would use an sks if it was the rifle I had... So many folks think you need a 300 Win Mag to kill bambi nowadays!

A well placed 7.62x39 round on a black bear will work.

Cheers
Jay
 
hoytcanon said:
Only if you have no other option... I would look to borrow a rifle from a friend or relative and get it sighted in before the hunt... anything in the standard 7mm to .30 cal... 7.62X39 will get it done but I wouldn't want an SKS as the launching pad on my first bear hunt... when I guided, I had several loaners for those sports who showed up with SKS's.
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Funny you should say that. Heading to the range in 15 mins to sight it in! Noob question: why not an SKS? Accuracy? Stopping power? Or just not in the spirit of the hunt? Planning on no longer than 100 yd shot or else, no go.
Is this what Cyclops meant by starting a sh// storm??
 
I am no pro... but it all depends on your proficiency with the SKS. If you know the rifle and are use adequate ammo, You should be good to go.

Magnums are for FUDDs in my opinion. The one box of ammo a year types.

...but, this is coming from a guy who can disassemble and clean an SKS blind folded. It's how I was to taught. Know your gun!
 
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An SKS will get it done. I shot a black bear last fall with one. The rifle was loaded with MFS soft point ammo. As Jay said a well placed shot of 7.62x39 will drop a bear.
 
BeaverMeat said:
I am no pro... but it all depends on your proficiency with the SKS. If you know the rifle and are use adequate ammo, You should be good to go.
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I know the rifle as far as using it as a paper puncher. I can take it apart and put it back together without a manual and I'm familiar with firearms. I've never taken it into the woods or hunted with one. Is my choice of ammo appropriate?
 
Stopping power is the big factor. Most would consider 30-30 the minimum for black bear.

But a well placed shot will get it done... walk away unless you get a perfect broadside view with the leg closest to you forward.

I would try another store for x54 hunting ammo.
 
ocanuck said:
Stopping power is the big factor. Most would consider 30-30 the minimum for black bear.

But a well placed shot will get it done... walk away unless you get a perfect broadside view with the leg closest to you forward.

I would try another store for x54 hunting ammo.
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Thanks!
I agree with you. Won't take a shot unless I'm sure and close enough to ensure a clean kill. As for another store for x54R. None close enough to get to during the week due to work!
 
Still alive said:
Funny you should say that. Heading to the range in 15 mins to sight it in! Noob question: why not an SKS? Accuracy? Stopping power? Or just not in the spirit of the hunt? Planning on no longer than 100 yd shot or else, no go.
Is this what Cyclops meant by starting a sh// storm??
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SKS will work fine. I got a really large mature buck (even according to Northern Ontario standards) using 7.62x39 last year on a quartering towards me shot with Prvi soft points and the deer didn't argue - made it through the shoulder muscle + bones, through the ribs, and exited out the rear side. A fair bit of penetration. Like others said try and avoid the shoulder bones (a lot of meat there anyway) and you will be fine.

Average sized black bear don't an AR500 bone structure, and for bigger ones just choose your shot a bit better. Have a look at the diagrams on http://www.ballistics101.com/images/bear_images/bearshotplacement.pdf and enjoy your hunt, good luck.
 
mnr said:
SKS will work fine. I got a really large mature buck (even according to Northern Ontario standards) using 7.62x39 last year on a quartering towards me shot with Prvi soft points and the deer didn't argue - made it through the shoulder muscle + bones, through the ribs, and exited out the rear side. A fair bit of penetration. Like others said try and avoid the shoulder bones (a lot of meat there anyway) and you will be fine.

Average sized black bear don't an AR500 bone structure, and for bigger ones just choose your shot a bit better. Have a look at the diagrams on http://www.ballistics101.com/images/bear_images/bearshotplacement.pdf and enjoy your hunt, good luck.
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Great info and research. Thank you mnr!
Heading to sight in the gun now. Will check forum again tonight. My only other big caliber is a .308 Win. The problem is it's big and cumbersome, that's why the SKS came to mind.
 
Still alive said:
Great info and research. Thank you mnr!
Heading to sight in the gun now. Will check forum again tonight. My only other big caliber is a .308 Win. The problem is it's big and cumbersome, that's why the SKS came to mind.
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If you have a .308 then use it! It is a much better cartridge for bears than the 7.62X39... what platform is it in??? Any 165-180 grain well made bullet (I include standard SP cup and cores in this) will do very well on bears.
 
hoytcanon said:
If you have a .308 then use it! It is a much better cartridge for bears than the 7.62X39... what platform is it in??? Any 165-180 grain well made bullet (I include standard SP cup and cores in this) will do very well on bears.
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x2

bearkilr said:
Do yourself a favor and use the 308.
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X3

Hey Still alive, be a shame to have to change your name:runaway: go with the .308.
 
A 308 will hit a black bear like the fist of Thor. A 30-30 is the sweet spot for cartridge power.

Your SKS will do the job, but you'd be responsible to limit yourself to braodside shots after getting good with aiming your rifle. Generally, yes it'll do it, but no it's not advisable since it's limited in shot placement. You *could* always just turn Mr. Bear into a pincushion with your 5 rounds though.

Good luck, if you decide to take the SKS please let us know how it went.
 
The .308 is what I would use but the 7.62x39 will also work with the right bullet and shot placement at reasonable ranges. I have personal experience with the 7.62x39 on a large black bear boar using Barnes 123 TSX. Shot distance was about 35yds and the bullet broke the shoulder and exited the far side just behind the shoulder. The big boar only went about 20yds and that was it.
 
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