Asking for opinions regarding upgrades

[EdmontonEli]

Looking for opinions regarding my choices on upgrades. To see if it's even worth it to do. Will be mainly using the firearm for hunting black bear during spring.

These are the two upgrade options I'm looking at

1. Install a NDT rail mount, mount a red dot sight, and lighten up the trigger spring on my SKS.
https://www.badacetactical.ca/collec...39429225087138
https://www.bullseyenorth.com/shop/m...001122111-4586

2. Buy a cantilever rifled barrel and install a red dot on my mossberg 935.

Thanks

PS, not really looking at buying a new firearm. the money is tight.

[renegadeg2]

I don't think an SKS caliber is appropriate for bear. I would upgrade the 12g. It would have devastating effects over 100y with rifled barrel.

-Reza

[Dubious]

Those spring kits don’t make the trigger much different, there will be some improvement but you’ll still be left with an inconsistent 5-7lb trigger that feels like there is sand in it, if you dick with it and file the internals down there’s room for error and it just ends up with a pile of slack/creep. Don’t put any money into sks no matter what you do it’s just putting lip stick on a pig.

Not familiar with your mossburg, I would just buy a used rifle or a savage axis combo that fits the bill and forget about trying to force something to sorta work it won’t be a lot more and you’ll be set.

[EdmontonEli]

Thanks for the replies. As per a used rifle. I already have one that I mainly use (a 300wsm tikka) for fall hunting season.

Just wanted to try out another firearm for spring hunting.

[Jerry D]

I’d shoot the sks as is.

A rifled shotgun barrel is a good option to have as well.

[Jayhad]

most SKS rounds provide 1100-1200 ft/lbs of energy at 100yrds.

upgrade and fire away

[gunluvr]

Originally Posted by EdmontonEli

Thanks for the replies. As per a used rifle. I already have one that I mainly use (a 300wsm tikka) for fall hunting season.

Just wanted to try out another firearm for spring hunting.

If you have a Tikka in 300WSM you already have a perfect bear rifle. Hunt away.

[biggelaar22]

Originally Posted by EdmontonEli

Looking for opinions regarding my choices on upgrades. To see if it's even worth it to do. Will be mainly using the firearm for hunting black bear during spring.

These are the two upgrade options I'm looking at

1. Install a NDT rail mount, mount a red dot sight, and lighten up the trigger spring on my SKS.
https://www.badacetactical.ca/collec...39429225087138
https://www.bullseyenorth.com/shop/m...001122111-4586

2. Buy a cantilever rifled barrel and install a red dot on my mossberg 935.

Thanks

PS, not really looking at buying a new firearm. the money is tight.

Why not run a good rifled slug through your 935 with a cylinder bore choke? Or even a heavy buckshot round through a full choke?

I am assuming you will be hunting over bait and not at a far distance ( I am thinking archery distances around 50 yards), which you might be able to get away with only using your front bead sight that is currently on the shotgun (just place the bottom of the sight "on top" of the rail/rib to aim.). This might be a fun, cost cutting method that might make the hunt more interesting for you.

Anything farther out than typical archery ranges, 300 wsm will be the better choice over the shotgun. (100+ yards).

I would not recommend the sks for any hunting larger than a coyote. Between accuracy variations at 100 (from my experience) and to be honest, the really low force upon impact at 100 yards (1200 ftlbs is not really good for much of anything other than less dense meat, ie, deer), I personally would not recommend it as a bear hunting option, especially if you have a 300 wsm already.

Regardless of what I or anyone else say on this forum, I think you should pick whatever you feel most comfortable with; cause that will lead to a good, successful, fun hunt for you.