7.62x39 versus bear?

[meanmrmustard]

I'd have to disagree with you here, Jain.

Bonded bullets, like CorBon in 150, will retain most of their weight, and expand reliably to transfer the energy inside the bear.

While I agree that a large frontal area is a good thing, I think energy transfer, hydrostatic shock, wound cavities caused by controlled expansion are the key here, whether the bullet is pointy or not. Heck, bullets designed to yaw cause massive trauma, huge wound channels, and aren't necessarily designed to expand at all.

As an aside, I've never had any issues feeding any bullets into any AK, SKS, or bolt carbine in the x39 chambering other than a singular beater Maadi.

 

[killer66]

the made in china sks 7.62x39 can I shoot the 7.62x54 in this gun and what is the difference in the two shells

 

[MCgunner]

Umm, would be like shooting a .30=06 in a .30-30, but reverse the rims. IOW, fagedaboudit.

Some of you people scare me. I'm glad I don't have to shoot at a public range anymore.

 

[Inebriated]

the made in china sks 7.62x39 can I shoot the 7.62x54 in this gun and what is the difference in the two shells

So instead of being unhelpful and rude, I'll try to help.

The cartridge is 7.62x39. That means the bullet is 7.62 mm in diameter, and the case is 39 mm long. Any time you see a cartridge name like that, that's what it means. Same for 5.45x39, 5.56x39, 6x45, 7.62x25, 9x19, 9x18, the list goes on.

So a 7.62x54R cartridge will have a 7.62 mm diameter bullet, but a 54 mm long case. The longer case equates to more powder, which equates to considerably more power. The "R" at the end designates it as a "rimmed" case. Think like a shotgun shell... it has a rim around the base. If you tried to put a 7.62x54R cartridge in your SKS, it would not fit the magazine or chamber. If you somehow managed to make it fit (you can't), you would likely blow the gun up, because of the extra pressure of the 7.62x54R cartridge.

 

[MCgunner]

I don't think working pressure is any higher in 7.62x54 than 7.62x39. Can't find it for 7.62x54R, though, but it's 45K PSI for 7.62x39. Moot as the 54mm cartridge won't fit in the 39mm chamber aside from other dimensional differences.

I see all these posts on this board, "Will my .410 shotgun shoot .45 Colt?" or "Can I shoot a .458 WM in my .45-70?" or similar. Well, read the box of ammo, should have a statement on there "use only in firearms chambered for this round" or some such. SAFETY, it's a SAFETY thing. BE SAFE! That's not rude, that's just sound advice. I wouldn't care what you did, but you might hurt yourself and maybe someone at the bench next to you.

 

[mookiie]

I believe I recall an article on a bear from Alaska that had something like 14 or 15 7.62x39mm projectiles from an AK 47 that had to be put down with a higher powered rifle. I would not want to go after a bear with 7.62x39mm unless I KNEW I would be at a safe enough distance to take multiple shots.

 

[72guns92]

I think Elmer Keith told someone that he didn't believe a 105howizter was to big if your hunting bear, just my 2 cents, Semper Fi

 

[saturno_v]

I don't think working pressure is any higher in 7.62x54 than 7.62x39. Can't find it for 7.62x54R, though, but it's 45K PSI for 7.62x39. Moot as the 54mm cartridge won't fit in the 39mm chamber aside from other dimensional differences.

The 7.62x54R is a much higher pressure cartridge than the x39....the 54R does not have any official SAAMI rating but by the CIP rating it is a 58K psi cartridge.....

 

[MCgunner]

I believe I recall an article on a bear from Alaska that had something like 14 or 15 7.62x39mm projectiles from an AK 47 that had to be put down with a higher powered rifle. I would not want to go after a bear with 7.62x39mm unless I KNEW I would be at a safe enough distance to take multiple shots.

Did someone mention Alaska and browns? Black bear are NOT that big.

 

[OilyPablo]

I think with a 30 round mag of hot eastern bloc ammo in my AK, I would feel adequately protected in bear country.

 

[saturno_v]

The 30-30 overall is a significantly more effective round against heavier game compared to the 7,62x39...you can fire up to a 190 gr. slug with the venerable 30 WCF.

 

[shinyroks]

Did someone mention Alaska and browns? Black bear are NOT that big.

If I remember correctly, last year there was an 800 lb black bear shot up by Steamboat springs...

 

[majortoo]

I seem to recall that several countries in Europe have hunting rules that prohibit smaller cartridges such as the 30-30, 7.62X39 and the like for large game. Not enough kinetic energy, thus not fair to the animal. Yes, those cartridges have been and will continue to be used in this country. As noted, some people even hunt moose with a .22. Does that make it right? Don't get me wrong. I have hunted, and enjoyed it. I like venison, pheasant, rabbit and other wild game on my table. I merely suggest that you bring enough gun to the game. WWEKD? (What would Elmer Keith do?) As a related issue, you might check your state and local laws. Some states have a magazine limit for hunting deer and bear. Your thirty round banana clip could get confiscated, along with your toy rifle.

Also, just saw a news item from Alaska. A deer hunter with a semi auto 7mm Magnum was attacked by a 1,600 pound grizzly. The hunter emptied the rifle at the attacking bear, and finally stopped it just a few feet away. Local authorities analyzed the contents of the bear's stomach and found the remains of two humans who had died within the previous 72 hours. They also found wounds from four .38 special cartridges. The revolver was found later near the remains of a hiker. To get an idea of the size of that bear, when he stood on his hind legs he would be 14 feet tall. If you were standing next to him, you would be looking at his navel. He could look into your second story bedroom window!

 

[68wj]

Not that giant man eater again.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

better choices are available for sure but load a x39 with a 150gr fb sp Sierra slug and you have some 'whack' there.
have took good-sized whitetail does (doe tags) easily with the 123gr Win sp. one shot drt around 50 ms. 2x Burris glass.

 

[hedrok]

The whole concept of needing to empty a 30 rd. mag into an animal...any animal...because the hunter didn't take the time to practice enough to be good enough to make a clean kill shot, I personally find to be disgusting on multiple levels.
First...the primary purpose for hunting is food. A lot of it would be contaminated and wasted.
Next, there is no point to making an animal suffer just so that the hunter can get a macho thrill killing something by blasting it apart.
Further...I'm pretty sure it's illegal almost anywhere in the civilized world to have more than a 4 or 5 rd. capability in a hunting weapon.
Next, it's disrespectful to anyone who hunts to participate in a slaughter rather than a hunt. Big difference.
Lastly, In the case of the "intentionally undergunned hunter"...I'll root for the bear.

We used to joke about a mythical book called "Revenge of the Tiger" by Claude Balls.
Wanna write a new chapter???

 

[jerkface11]

Further...I'm pretty sure it's illegal almost anywhere in the civilized world to have more than a 4 or 5 rd. capability in a hunting weapon.

No mag limit in Arkansas at all. Maybe we aren't civilized enough for you.

 

[hedrok]

I'm not sure if "civilized" is the word I should have used...but it was what came to mind.

 

[HoosierQ]

the made in china sks 7.62x39 can I shoot the 7.62x54 in this gun and what is the difference in the two shells

Holy Smokes! Those two rounds are very, very different. 7.62x39 is 39 milimeters long. 762x54R is 54 milimeter long...and has a rim. Do the math. NO THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE

 

[josiewales]

Well, you do have 30 rounds...

 

[josiewales]

...and I think this thread is getting hijacked.

 

[jerkface11]

There isn't a bear in this state you couldn't take with a 7.62x39.

 

[Glen]

Bear?

Bears have teeth and claws and even black bears sometimes eat people. Full Metal Jacket bullets are out; they don't expand. But the main point is, I would use this cartridge as a defense against any bear only if I had nothing else bigger. I wouldn't hunt with it. People often compare this round to the 30/30, but these 7.62 X 39's shoot light bullets, not relatively heavy ones like the 30/30. Hey, heavy critter, heavy bullet--that's what I say. Of course for big bears, maybe it becomes magnum time.

 

[jerkface11]

Glen not all bears are big. They average around 100 pounds down here. So 7.62x39 would be just fine with 150 ish grain bullets.

 

[rxspeed88]

7.62x39 bear

I wouldnt buy that caliber specifically for bear hunting. But... if thats what i had to take, i would make sure i was comfortable with it and i wouldnt want to take a shot over about 50 yards and even thats pushing it. I always take some sort of magnum (7mm or 300 win) with me on our bear trips. It gives me a little more lee-way with placement and it carries enough arse to put them down in their tracks.

Will it take a bear. yes.
Would i use it as a camp firearm with a 30rnd mag and underfolder stock. yes
are there lots of better options. yes.