35 Rem Black Bear

[tipiguy]

I have been using 200 grain round nose bullets for PA deer in my 17" 35 Rem Contender Carbine.  This fall I plan to take it out for black bear.  Even though I handload, I am considering buying a box of Hornady's Leverevolution bullets.  As I read it appears that they provide 250-300 more fps than the published handload velocities. 

Anyone try these in a contender carbine or have other experience with them?  I love this little carbine but I want to get as much out of it as possible even if it is a pricey little box of shells.

I appreciate any help.

tipiguy

p.s. I plan to stick with my handloads for deer...

[Redhawk1]

Those 200 gr. round nose bullets you load up for deer will work just fine on black bear. No use spending the extra money on them factory rounds.  JMHO

[swampthing]

I've taken a pretty rugged 240lb Russian Hog with my .35rem, 20" carbine, shooting factory Rem Core Lokts. Broadside, quartering away @50yds, I got complete penetration, hog went down like a ton of bricks. Not an apples to apples comparo, but I would not underestimate that cartridge.

[DDelle338]

  As far as the desire for the higher velocity of the Leverevolution ammo,,,,, it isn't happening. I read somewhere, (Hornady's web-site I think), that due to a problem with the powder mfg. they are no longer able to get that proprietary powder. So they are not able to achieve the published velocities any longer.

[huntswithdogs]

I'd say buy a box and give em a try on paper. If they shoot okay then hunt with em. But its kinda like trying to reinvent the wheel. What yer shooting will knock the water out of a blackbear.

HWD

[Encore28]

I agree with Redhawk-----------That .35 is a "Bear" of a caliber(No pun intended-LOL)

Encore28

[kennisondan]

factory 150s will drop a deer with a front on quartering shot ... like a wet dishrag... bang flop at 70 yards or so... broke through neck/shoulder area and took out far shoulder angling downward... I would shoot a small bear with it... or a large hog... and the 2oo gr. factory loads look good too. .. but I missed with those   
thats all I got.
dk

[Dwarfmiester]

The only time the Hornady Levereloution will be better is when the range starts to get long.  Out to 100 or so yards the RN Core Loct will be fine.  Not at 200 though.

Len