Bear Hunting

[alpining]

Quite literally all of the better options for Whitetail are naturally going to be better options for bear defense as well when compared to 7.62x39.

Id only hunted the Black Bear with 7.62x39 for novelty, my hunting partner had a .300wm.
...
Armed with SST rounds i wouldnt hesitate to shoot a Black Bear. But 7.62x39 still wouldnt be my first choice... or even my 3rd lol. Only novelty would compel me to do so. And after the shameful suffering that bear went thru I now put A LOT more thought and consideration into how novel i decide to make my hunts.

That's a heck of a story, thanks for posting. Everybody makes their own ethical decisions, your story is surely helpful for those with less experience.

 

[saskcop]

In this part of northern Saskatchewan, I have seen many black bears shot with SKS's - and many with cheap crappy ammo. No one I have talked to has ever lost one.

 

[big bear]

Barnes Bullet .310 123gr TSX TripleShock Bullet

If I were going hunting to shoot a black bear with a SKS this is the bullet I would choose. With five rounds in the magazineI would feel pretty comfortable with a black bear. Lots of bears killed with 30-30 and 32 Winchester special. In my humble opinion,mpretty much same-same.Me? I use a Winchester 71 with a 250gr Barnes Original, big coastal black bear, no problemo
Spring bear opens in less than 3 weeks

 

[Potashminer]

You can read articles written by Dr. Don Heath - was apparently not uncommon for poacher gangs to take elephant in various National Parks in Africa with SKS and likely standard FMJ bullets - just go in with 6 or 8 other guys similarly armed and likely do not mind losing one or two of them, until the thing quit fighting. Apparently also handy rifles to have when dealing with Parks Wardens, who were often carrying FN-FALs. I just got my first 7.62x39 - a bolt action - and so far not impressed at all - like an overgrown .22 or something - so far I would have more faith in my Win 94 30-30, than in that. Is no doubt to me that it will kill most things - but not likely "bang flop" dead like many expect - especially to attempt to protect yourself in a tight spot in the bush. My own choice for black bears in our back yard is a 9.3x62 - I load it with 250 grain Accubond - have not yet had to fire, but have been out three times now with a loaded rifle - maybe not the best of bullet to use, I have been advised - is several boxes of 320 grain Woodleigh to work up next - but even those PP SN might not be appropriate, compared to the Round Nose ones. Mostly why I am interested to hear results of the 220 grain .308" bullet tests - is several boxes here - might end up being the better rifle to grab - is a 308 Norma Magnum.

 

[Buck1950]

I'd suggest just hunting deer with 12G slugs, then be loaded for bear, too.

 

[burns k31]

You can read articles written by Dr. Don Heath - was apparently not uncommon for poacher gangs to take elephant in various National Parks in Africa with SKS and likely standard FMJ bullets - just go in with 6 or 8 other guys similarly armed and likely do not mind losing one or two of them, until the thing quit fighting. Apparently also handy rifles to have when dealing with Parks Wardens, who were often carrying FN-FALs.

Ya. Poaching =/= hunting.
Not trying to argue here, I just don't want people to get the wrong idea. Poachers use 7.62x39 to take down an elephant, they shoot it a couple hundred times... and sometimes use hand grenades.

 

[MiG25]

I've had an SKS in hand while my dogs were close in on a Grizzly. I'd take it over the typical scoped bolt action any day in that situation.