Best 7.62x39 load for Bear

[MCgunner]

I load .30-30 to capacity with LVR & a Sierra 150gr. HPBT, they are pushing 2700 fps on the chrono

THAT HAS to be WAY over SAAMI! Best to move up to .308. I get about 2750 SAFE FPS in my 20" M7 Remington with a 150 Nosler. You have to be pushing 50,000 CUP with your load in that thin .30-30 case with that big old rimmed case head. Better you than me. Hope you got good medical...and life insurance for that matter.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, just thinkin', if you have a 30" barrel or something, 2700 might be attainable with a .30-30 and max SAAMI pressure.....maybe. Didn't think about barrel length as most .30-30s are 20" guns. Never looked at the handi-rifles, though.

 

[Texan Scott]

most Florida hunters I've read of or talked to have hunted from a tree stand

Yes... if you're going to hunt bears, being in the tree already is smart.

 

[303tom]

THAT HAS to be WAY over SAAMI! Best to move up to .308. I get about 2750 SAFE FPS in my 20" M7 Remington with a 150 Nosler. You have to be pushing 50,000 CUP with your load in that thin .30-30 case with that big old rimmed case head. Better you than me. Hope you got good medical...and life insurance for that matter.

No, No, No, case cap. of the .30-30 with LVR is 39.5 grs. & a 22in. barrel & your talking right at 35,000 cup, & I said (PUSHING) 2,700 fps..............

 

[Alaska444]

Yes... if you're going to hunt bears, being in the tree already is smart.

Black bears climb trees better than squirrels gathering nuts. Bears gather nuts shooting 7.62x39 ammo. Good luck.

 

[Kachok]

I don't mean to be overly critical of anyone's choice in cartrage/rifle, but bear are no wimps and quick clean kills are by far the best, and safest kind. My long standing policy on big claws, teeth, tusks or horns is the largest caliber, heaviest bullet I can place with a high level of precision. If someone is a recoil wimp that may be a 30-30, 7mm-08, or 6.5x55 any one of which is a much better choice then any 7.62x39 bullet you can find. A good ol 30-06 with a quality 180gr bullet would be even better if you can shoot it well. If you cannot afford a hunting rifle try borrowing one for bear season.

 

[Art Eatman]

Plenty of food for thought for the OP.