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.
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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.