does any one have the experience for bear hunting with sks
- Thread starter wxsh2000g
- Start date
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
While I’m sure bear have been killed with the sks I don’t think I’d use it, shot placement would be key as well as a lead sp bullet. I wouldn’t want a ballistic tip like the SST, bears are big tough animals and getting a solid blood trail can be tough sometimes. A bullet that will expand and pass out the other side would be what I’d be looking for, closer range as well.
Deer on the other hand, I would hunt deer with an sks without a concern of recovery if my shot placement wasn’t spot on.
Deer on the other hand, I would hunt deer with an sks without a concern of recovery if my shot placement wasn’t spot on.
Sunchild2071
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Glen Park, AB
Oh, this is gonna be good! Gotta tag in!
rifleman762
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Just use the 308 and hit it in the lungs. It will die with one shot.
- Location
- Central AB
I'll get the popcorn.
Basically any other 7.62mm or larger semi is a better choice. The only reason why i used my SKS to shoot a black bear years ago was nostalgia. The hunt was originally supposed to be a "Russian bear hunt" utilizing my SVT 40 cus the 7.62x54r is basically a .308. But the SVT 40 had a critical part break one week prior to the hunt. Had a choice of scrapping the Russian novelty and just shooting the bear with some boring .300wm, OR taking my SKS which technically should still do the job. I took the SKS but made the mistake of using last minute purchased Winchester SPs... not only did they have terrible accuracy (4+moa), but the lead soft point once in a while would jam on a step of the SKSs feed ramp. Causing a failure to feed! PLUS after skinning the bear i noticed the SPs didnt expand worth a sh!t.
I shot a deer in lungs last fall with Hornady SST ammo fired from my Vz58. The bullet entered, presumably shed a lot of its weight in the chest cavity cus the lungs were complete jelly. The core then passed out thru the left shoulder plate leaving ragged 1/2" hole. The deer only ran maybe 60m.
Moral of the story id suggest a bigger semi auto, and if u do use a 7.62x39, use SST ammo.
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Interesting. Do you know if the Russians primarily carry milsurp rifles, or do they also regularly have shotguns around? Are they allowed handguns over there?
To the OP, I would go with the 308 if you're asking this question. The 308 will typically give you better accuracy and ballistic performance, so you'll be less likely to get in a situation where the bear is too far. If you're capable of making a 300+yd shot on game, the 308 will be up to the task.
Of course, if you choose to take your SKS, make sure you get some proper hunting ammo, and make sure it feeds, figure out how accurate it is, etc so you can decide on how close you need to get. Generally speaking, the primary limit to the SKS is accuracy and effective range. The sks has a mix of features that come together to make it a less-than-ideal - the factory sights are not very good, the rifle usually has tremendous slop in the stock, ammo quality (particularly surplus, which you shouldn't be using) is sub-par, and the cartridge itself isn't particularly powerful, which means your bullets drops to 2000 fps by like 120yds and 1800fps around 200yds (which is the minimum velocity for proper expansion for many bullets, although I can't talk to the 7.62x39 bullets specifically).
Long story short, it'll kill a bear as long as you do your part and get close enough for what you and your gun/ammo combo is capable of.
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I'm pretty sure that they can own shotguns and those gas cartridge firing handguns are everywhere, don't know if they are legal.
In certain remote regions, it is law that the geologists HAVE to carry a firearm in the field while they are working. The geos who worked for me in Chukotka had worked in the arctic and all at some point had carried handguns. I think Nagants and TT-33s. Rifles were SKS, Moisin-Nagant M1891s and I saw one Tigr though it was the senior geo's personal rifle.
I asked them where they got their SP 7.62x39 for their SKS's and they said they just used military ball. 10 rounds of 7.62x39 ball can do a lot of damage.
In certain remote regions, it is law that the geologists HAVE to carry a firearm in the field while they are working. The geos who worked for me in Chukotka had worked in the arctic and all at some point had carried handguns. I think Nagants and TT-33s. Rifles were SKS, Moisin-Nagant M1891s and I saw one Tigr though it was the senior geo's personal rifle.
I asked them where they got their SP 7.62x39 for their SKS's and they said they just used military ball. 10 rounds of 7.62x39 ball can do a lot of damage.
I don't have any experience with the SKS but both of my kids have shot black bear with the 7.62x39 cartridge. One was shot using the excellent 123gr TSX and the other a Sierra 150gr SP. Both were out of a stand over bait so the shot distance was very close but based on quite a few deer taken with the 123gr TSX, I would not hesitate to take longer shots. The TSX penetrates very well.
If I were hunting in thick bush and not in a stand or going after a wounded bear I would definitely prefer something with a little more punch but at close range out of a stand I don't see a problem with the 7.62x39. Everything from a large black bear boar to mule deer has gone down quickly with one shot. As with any cartridge shot placement is key.
If I were hunting in thick bush and not in a stand or going after a wounded bear I would definitely prefer something with a little more punch but at close range out of a stand I don't see a problem with the 7.62x39. Everything from a large black bear boar to mule deer has gone down quickly with one shot. As with any cartridge shot placement is key.
in the north a lot of trappers are using it or i will say used it before they all marched in order to the lakes.
some trappers are using the t81 with success and works good in the cold again before the exodus of NR red rifles to the lakes ...
