7.62x39 as bear rifle???
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: rochester mn USA
Posts: 182
7.62x39 as bear rifle???
I was looking for an inexpensive rifle for a secondary weapeon during bear season (primary being my bow) and was wondering if the 7.62x39 could handle a bear. I hear that they are the equivalant to a .243??? (just what i herd from a buddy but he said he was just guessing) i was also wondering how far it would shoot like ethically. thanks for your help.
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bossier City LA United States
Posts: 2,425
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
I hear that they are the equivalant to a .243???
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: rochester mn USA
Posts: 182
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
thanks frizzellr, just checking on it cuz it was only 80bucks at fleetfarm, but guess i'll keep looking for a single shot somewere. what would you say is the better of the two .338, or the 308? in term of knock down? when i get a rifle it will also be on russian boar next winter gunna try and get a big one next year(first year going my buddy says he can hook me up with a big boy he's talking 350#+)
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gypsum KS USA
Posts: 1,289
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
Between the .338 and .308 comparison of knockdown power, the .338 wins hands down, it's a HECK of a lot bigger case, so it's a no-brainer there...the .308 is a decent bear rifle, for smaller species, i.e. it's a good Bruin rifle, but a little light for grizz-it's been used on them with varying degrees of success for decades...the .338 is a better choice, and certainly would be my choice of the two.
The 7.62x39mm is a lot stouter than people give it credit for, but it's not a primary bear round, as mentioned above, it's slightly behind a .30-30win as far as performance goes, capable of about the same game ranges as a .243, although the energy differences are quite large...I've used one to 280yrds on whitetails over 200#, one shot drops in both cases at that distance-handload a better bullet (find a light weight .308Win bullet .311") and it's quite a handy round.
The 7.62x39mm is a lot stouter than people give it credit for, but it's not a primary bear round, as mentioned above, it's slightly behind a .30-30win as far as performance goes, capable of about the same game ranges as a .243, although the energy differences are quite large...I've used one to 280yrds on whitetails over 200#, one shot drops in both cases at that distance-handload a better bullet (find a light weight .308Win bullet .311") and it's quite a handy round.
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
As a backup bear gun that can also knock down a big hog and still be cheap there's still quite a few military .30-06 available. Some are Mausers and locally there's a couple 1917 Enfields for surprising little cash.
Also the 8MM mauser is a fine candidate for the job and they can still be had cheaply.
Also the 8MM mauser is a fine candidate for the job and they can still be had cheaply.
#6
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
At Fleet farm?
I know that Fleet farm has started selling Mosin Nagants which are chambered in 7.62x54R not 7.62x39! Huge difference, the x39 is a lesser cartridge than a 30-30 but the x54R is close to a 30-06 in performace.
Q? was the rifle you were looking at a bolt action or a semi-auto?
I know that Fleet farm has started selling Mosin Nagants which are chambered in 7.62x54R not 7.62x39! Huge difference, the x39 is a lesser cartridge than a 30-30 but the x54R is close to a 30-06 in performace.
Q? was the rifle you were looking at a bolt action or a semi-auto?
#9
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
I would NOT use the 7.62X39mm for black bear unless it was loaded with my "heavy bullet load" which consists of the 180 grain Speer .311" rounddnose bullet @ 2000 FPS from 28 grains of H335. This is about the equivalent of the early .30-30 Winchester loads, and either would be marginal for bear, IMO.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location:
Posts: 127
RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
As said above the 7.62X39 is in the same performance catagory as the good old .30-30Win. Sounds like a 7.62X54R to me. Don't know much about those, but if I was looking for a back-up gun for dangerous game I would want something with a little more power like a .338.
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.
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.