Out of an 8x57 Mauser do you think the Hday 170 grain RN has enough sectional density for PA black bears? I did not know I was going to get to go bear hunting this year but it looks like I will be able to hunt the first Saturday. My other rifles are all ready for the deer season that starts the following Monday. I hate to try and find a new load with Nosler Partitions for them as they are all sighted in with BT's.

I used a 130gr HDY in .270 win on a Wisconsin black bear and it seemed to go all the way through and destroyed everything in it's path including bone and organs. So, yeah, I think you'll be fine.

I've known bears to be killed with a lot less. That is of course if you have it loaded at lest to a 30-30 energy level. roger

a bear is generally considered class2 game the same as a deer.
if you get two holes in a 250 lb deer with your gun/bullet combo you'll get the same on a 300 lb bear.
but the 8mm and an 170 should be fine even at 2400 fps.