I voted no only because I have a couple 444s. If I had a 35R, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. I hope to take a bear with my 1895 357 magnum. A 35 Remington has more snot than that

 

I guess I'm an armchair quarterback on this, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the 35R for a 400 lb. bear. I had a friend in PA who killed one of the largest bears ever in the Commonwealth, one shot with a 170 grain .30-30. The weight of the bear was over 700 lbs. Your loaded 200 grain bullet travelling at 2200 ft/sec has a lot more energy than a factory loaded .30-30. I dare say there are hunters who have shot bear with a 300 Win Mag and didn't kill it, so the velocity and energy alone do not determine success.

 

I voted yes and I agree with Uncle Powder. I'm an armchair quarterback on this too.

Personally, I would prefer to maximize the caliber to make as big a hole on both sides to maximize the blood trail, which is why I prefer my .45-70 or .450 Marlin during the regular bear season, but your load should have no problem making two holes in a bear while messing things up inside enough to finish it within easy tracking distance. I will be hunting with my 336 CS in .35 Rem when bear season opens back up to run concurrent with deer season here in PA. I have not yet taken a bear with my .35 Rem, but I wouldn't hesitate to take a good shot if I see one while I'm sitting in my deer stand and I still have a tag.

So I wish you good luck with your .35 Rem. Please post up some pics if you're successful.

 

Most guides out there will tell you when bear gets into range shoot until the gun is empty. When I did hunt them as a young man, it was with both a 35 rem, then a .444. The 35 never took more than two rounds for a drt kill. The 444 was the same. But I place an extreme emphasis on shot placement. I have never been a proponent of the spray and pray theory. But that’s just me. Your 35 REM with a premium bullet from ANY manufacturer will do the job. IF you do your part. Good luck with the hunt!
Regards,

 

I see no reason why the load you mentioned wouldn't work just fine. I've only killed a couple black bears, both in Maine with a .358 and a .444. The load for the .358 was a 225gr SGK and for the .444 it was a Hornady 265gr JFN.

I've only hunted mule deer years ago in Alberta and don't recall what the regs are as far as shooting times. If you're allowed until 30 mins after SS, I'd consider a scope with an illuminated reticle. I own several Leupold scopes that are 2-7 some with HD and some with #4 which are the best reticles for low light that are not illuminated. All rifles that I use for hog hunting or bear hunting wear scopes with IR. I believe at last count I have 15-18 rifles wearing them as they are that good IMO.

All my IR scopes have only a single center dot and that's all you need. You will lose a dark reticle on a dark target in very low light. With an illuminated reticle, if you can see your target animal in your scope, you can place a precise shot on it.

Hawke makes some very nice scopes that aren't really pricey, the Vantage 1.5-6x42 or 1-4x24 with L4A reticle are very good scopes with a single illuminated center dot with a #4 reticle.

Good luck on your hunt

 

Tough question, I voted no,just because we are talking dangerous game.

 

Killed a couple with the Marlin in .35 Remington with the 200 grain Remington ammo. Will work just fine if you place it in a proper spot. I only quit using it because I got a .50 Alaskan.

 

A 35Rem will definitely do the trick, my only concern would be how quickly do you want it done.Just reread your post,all of it this time, have too admit I have never killed a bear.

 

I'm planning on using my .35 Remington for bear this year.
I shot a bear here in Pennsylvania. That was with a .270 though.
A departed bud used to go to Canada about every other year for bear. He used a 336SC. 35 Remington and preferred Silvertips. He shot some BIG bear and never mentioned trouble.
Or tracking.
His guide used a Winchester M94 7x30 Waters! That being said, your .35 Remington is just fine. Usual cautions regarding range and shot placement apply.
Regardless of what you use.

 

... I've shot good size black bear (& deer & moose) with 30-30 Win & 170 grain Core-Lokts ... usually 1-shot kills ... my current black bear rifle a Marlin 1895GS pushes a 405 grain Woodleigh Weldcore SP bullet ~ 1750 fps ... the bear is in black bear heaven saying "long time no see" to its great grandma before the smoke clears

 

Armchair bear man here too. But as I have mentioned before, learned a lot from my good friends uncle back 40 some years now. One I'll always remember and it surprised me, was the amount of Colorado elk, mule deer and black bear he'd taken over the years with his mod 94/30-30.

 

Good luck on the trip. When I saw 35 Remington and bear in the same sentence I got excited.

I have never shot a bear with a 35 Remington but that's my go to rifle when I hunt bear. Where I frequent there are grizzlies in the area, but I don't feel under gunned. I did shoot a 250 lb black bear with a 358 Norma Magnum in 2018 with a 225 gr Sierra though.

By Helena, MT last month:

 

My only experience with a Black Bear was with a 35 rem in a 336. My buddy had made a poor shot on a male with a 30-06, we tracked it a bit, I caught him quartering way and managed to poke him just behind the front shoulder, it was a 200 grain RN, it was either a Hornady or Sierra, handload, those were the only bullets I loaded it for at the time. He only went another 20-30 yards and died. I did recover the bullet, found in opposite side just under the hide. I had wrecked his lungs. My buddies shot had scraped his front end, just low on the neck, it had bleed decently, but tough to say if it would have killed him eventually.
This bear was only about 175-200 dressed, small. I don't see why a 35 Rem won't do in a bigger one with proper shot placement and a decent pill. I've hunted the Adirondacks for over 30 years, only have had 2 other chances at a bear, one small one in a beach tree, not into that type of kill, and another that bailed for the next town when it caught me flat footed.

 

I’ve never shot a black black bear but I have shot big cow elk with my 30/30 about 120-150 yards. They were big and elk are tough. You will have zero problems on that bear. I did shoot a rutted up muley with my 35 Remington last year. I think it’s my new favorite.

 

The .35 Remington was made for bear hunting!

I have used it for bear. A 240lb 3yr old Boar. Took 4 shots using Leverevolution factory loads. 3 solid hits and a deep graze across his chest. It certainly slowed him down, and he didn’t go 60yds and stayed in sight. It’s not my first choice of load, but my go to load of a Speer 220gr going 2,100fps was no longer an option with them discontinuing the bullet.

Here in Pa, the go to method for hunting bear is driving them. You’re not always presented with the perfect broadside shot at a still bear. Which is why I went with the heavier and stouter bullet. But if I had to cook up the next best thing, it would be exactly what you have loaded. It’s no secret on these forums that the 200gr corelokt is the king of bullets for the .35. For hunting over bait, with opportunity to pick your shots, you’ll be aces. I don’t care ifs a 100lb bear or a 500lber, you put a 200gr .35 cal bullet in the vitals going at that speed at bait range…. Better have the taxidermist on speed dial.

 

My brother and I just got back from New Brunswick about three weeks ago where we both took bears using Marlin 336s in 35Rem. I shot off the shelf Remington brand 200gr, my bear went about 15yrds and dropped. He used the Hornady Leverlution FTX 35rem and had a good kill also and that FTX made a huge exit hole! Because I had been warned about how dark the woods are where we’d be hunting I pulled my scope and mounted a Vortex red and green dot on mine. Looked kind of funny but worked great. Found the green dot to be the best for me especially on the dark bear.

 

My brother and I just got back from New Brunswick about three weeks ago where we both took bears using Marlin 336s in 35Rem. I shot off the shelf Remington brand 200gr, my bear went about 15yrds and dropped. He used the Hornady Leverlution FTX 35rem and had a good kill also and that FTX made a huge exit hole! Because I had been warned about how dark the woods are where we’d be hunting I pulled my scope and mounted a Vortex red and green dot on mine. Looked kind of funny but worked great. Found the green dot to be the best for me especially on the dark bear.

Congratulations on your successful hunt!

I've used nothing but scopes with illuminated reticles for my last several bear hunts because of how dark it gets in Maine 30 mins after SS with the trees still fully leafed out

 

[With it I've taken a number of deer and all but one were killed with a hand loaded 200gr Core-Lokt at a chronographed 2200fps] Can I ask you what your reloading recipe is?? 2200fps is moving right along... Thanks in advance.

 

Tom Tvedt,
I give the load data I use in my Marlin with theses conditions . It is safe in my rifle but may not be in yours. This load should be reduced by %10 and slowly worked up to with the use of a chronograph to make sure its not going way over the 2200fps I recorded in my carbine. Such would indicate that you needed to back down or just forget the load all together. Its no secret that the 30/30 is loaded to higher pressures than the 35Remington. With that knowledge I decided I would see what I could come up with to reach the 2200fjps that others such as "35Rem" or "35Remington" who used to frequent this board were able to achieve without any outward signs of excessive pressures. Again I cannot overstate the warnings to start low and work up. Many years ago I was looking to get a "bump" in my 35Remingtons pants so I began to look at what powders I had on hand and the pressures that it achieved in with those different powders. One powder I had on hand was given to me by a friend and I had never used it for anything, it was AA2230. The book max was 35grs with a 200gr bullet and I made it to 2200fps with 37grs and stopped. I've never tried any other bullet but the Remington 200gr Core-Lokt and have enough of them put back now that I should never need to try another. If changed anything I would reduce the load and work up carefully again. All loads tried were with CCI large rifle primers and the bullet seated to mid ways of the cannelure.

Goat

 

Thank you for the data, and yes for sure, I will start well below and watch for any high pressure signs. I have a box of 200gr FTX, so I think I'll start 20% below and work up slowly. Thanks again!!

 

Don’t have a 35 REM (would like one). Never killed a bear. I wouldn’t lose a bit of sleep hunting bear with your set up over bait. Best of luck to ya. Post us some pictures when you’re done.

 

I think the .35 Remi can do it. But I like a 45/70. years ago I went black bear hunting in Main along the Canadian border. I used a New made Browning 1886 Winchester in 45/70. Used the heaviest bullet the guide recomended. When the guide an I sighted the 1886 in , he said when I take the shot at a bear , he said to hit him in the shoulder, bust it and the bone and bullet will do it's job on everything in between. I was lucky and got a 275 # bear, he ran about 30 yrds layed down and went into his death moan. I sold that 1886 and regret it. They only made so many of them. Used iron sights on her. So I'm in the 45/70 school.

 

Yup. I have had several .35 Rems, a Model 8 and a Model 88 but I am in the .45-70 school. While the .35 Rem is good the .45-70 is better especially when regular size critters unexpectedly are large size critters.

 

Only voted no because I have a Marlin and a Winchester in 356win and a Marlin in 450. I still have plenty of factory 250gr win and Speer 220gr in the 356. Usually my 450 marlin I’m using a 405gr over 1900fps. Good luck.

 

Used to carry a 336 in 35Rem hunting blackmail deer in Alaska. With Williams receiver sight, a handy package. Switched to a BLR in 358 Win. and a Browning bolt action in 35 Whelen after having a deer pulled down when we had it hung 10 ft. off the ground. I used the Speet 220gr. bullets in my 336, loaded fairly hot, but don't recall the load data ( was over 40 years ago). The 358 and 35 Whelen were DRT dead on moose and black bears, but would have been comfortable shooting either with the 35Rem under 150 yards.

 

I know of a fellow in the mountains of NC who has always hunted bear with a very old Marlin lever .35 Remington. Always one shot and they go down. Know the anatomy of your prey. I also had a great uncle in western NC who hunted and killed innumerable black bears with a Ruger .44 mag rifle. He said they always went down quickly and never lost one. You should not have any problem, with proper shot placement, taking down a 200 lb or a 500 lb black bear for that matter with the Marlin .35.

 

... just about any caliber you can get a Marlin center fire rifle in is good for black bear including the 357 Mag

 

I've shot several bears, five black bear and one grizzly now. However all were with the 30-06 or 375. Ranges were from about 15 feet to two of them a bit past 300 yards. Mostly I do spot and stalk bear hunting out here in Washington. No baiting allowed here.

Within its range, I'd use the 35 Rem from a Marlin in a heartbeat! Hit 'em where they live and they die pretty quickly. A double-lung shot is deadly.

Bears are taken cleanly with 243's and 25-06 rifles, your 35 Rem is more than capable.

Shot this one with my camera!

Regards, Guy

 

I've shot several bears, five black bear and one grizzly now. However all were with the 30-06 or 375. Ranges were from about 15 feet to two of them a bit past 300 yards. Mostly I do spot and stalk bear hunting out here in Washington. No baiting allowed here.

Within its range, I'd use the 35 Rem from a Marlin in a heartbeat! Hit 'em where they live and they die pretty quickly. A double-lung shot is deadly.

Bears are taken cleanly with 243's and 25-06 rifles, your 35 Rem is more than capable.

View attachment 972067

Shot this one with my camera!

Regards, Guy

Guy, that is one handsome bear.

 

I voted no because I don't own any rifle chambered in 35 Rem. My long-ago coworker and long-time hunting friend, whom pancreatic cancer claimed before bear seasons opened last year, swore by his old (pre-crossbolt safety) JM-stamped Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. We hunted in two areas on the Canadian border, outside Houlton, ME and outside Canaan, VT. For black bear I depend instead on discontinued rifles in other calibers: 358 Win. (rebarreled Savage 99C), 338 Win. Mag. (Browning BAR), 35 Whelen (Remington 7400 and 7600), and 45-70 Govt. (four JM-stamped Marlin 1895 variants).

 

You may not have a Marlin 336 in .35R but it appears you are not going to be outgunned with the arsenal you have. I'm sorry you lost your bear hunting buddy last year. It leaves an empty spot in your heart and soul. 😔

 

... I have always preferred IMR-3031 for reloading the 30-30 Win, 35 Rem, 45-70 GVT ... it's my goto powder for these 3 calibers and a few others ... excellent accuracy and pretty foolproof ... almost impossible to overcharge a case using IMR-3031 when the rounds are being used in modern Marlin leverguns in good condition

 

I have no experience with the .30-30, but I use a lot of 3031 in my .35R and .45-70. I would prefer to use IMR 4198 in my .45-70 and my .444 but for some reason Hodgdon is always out. Same for the H4198. Scarce as hen's teeth.

 

Good morning, Marlin Brotherhood. I am posting on numerous threads on this site about a movie I went to see last night with She Who Must Be obeyed. Mike Rowe of 'Dirty Jobs' fame has produced a movie called Something to Stand For. I highly recommend it if you like celebrating American history. It certainly brought a tear to my eye and made me proud I'm an American. (No offense @Rosebud and @Andre Da'Canadian in any way shape or form.) I think it is a great tribute to our country during this, our 248th birthday. If you get a chance go see it on the big screen. It has limited showings so be patient. Enjoy.