Just a thought though, what about the surplus 7.62X39 ammo that had a steel core? For close range on bear, I would think that would be quite effective if shot placement was good.
WRONG!! When I was stationed in Alaska, two troops from Ft. Richardson took two M1 rifles and GI M2 Ball ammo out bear hunting on the Kenai Penisnula. They were later found mauled to death by a coastal brownie, which was aslo found dead not over 100 yards away. It had 16 wounds from the .30 cal bullets, 16 empty GI cases and two used M1 clips were found nearby too. Now, not all the shots hit vital spots, but the moral was clear! DON'T use pointed FMJ bullets on bears!!