I think those new Marlin Guide guns chambered in 45-70 or 450 Marlin would be a great bear setup. The gun handles fast and the either cartridge flings a nice heavy bullet that would not get diverted by brush in heavy cover. Some of the the new "+P" 45-70 cartridges loaded specificly for the Marlin Guide Gun look really good for big game at short to moderate ranges.

I do think that your 35 Wheelen would be a fine gun for black bear but you could alwasy use bear hunting as a good excuse to buy a new gun.

mcb