The .35 Rem is totally adiquate for Black Bear. You need to be close and able to shoot it. I personally carry the 200gr flat point in mine. I like the higher speed. Most of the heavier .35 cal bullets are made for higher velocities than the contender can obtain, and the recoil at those velocities is brutal in a hand gun. The heavier the bullet and higher the velocity the heavier the recoil. (And those guys with .454 Casuls think they have something). I ended up putting the shoulder stock on mine just to sight the scope in, and work up my loads. (Yes I know I'm not suposed to do that, but I was hurting and no one else was there).
BUT!!! Make sure you have a good back-up. If it should move just as you shoot, or a mired of other things go wrong, it could turn nasty real fast.
I've taken Moose with mine, (.35 Rem 12"barrel) And they can get just as nasty if they see you before you shoot.