H&R has come out with the 35 Whelen in their handirifle . It is available from Walmart at $199. It would be ideal for black bear especially hunting over bait or with hounds. With a 250 grain bullet there is no worry about penetration on a shoulder hit even with a very large bear.

That's what I'm talk'n about! I think the 35 Whelen would make an excellent bear gun and when I heard it was coming back I considered getting one. I've never hunted bear with hounds before, but if I ever do I wouldn't hesitate carrying this potient little handi!

Nice step forward for the Handi-Rifle! Too bad Ruger won't do it again as well. Interesting, the manufacturers claim the rifles don't sell well, but good greif, have you seen the prices on them on Gunbroker and Auction Arms? Too, just try to find a .35 Whelen at a gunshow! :mad:

One thing about the Handi-Rifle, I've never seen one that was innaccurate, most of them are tack drivers right out of the box. Besides, it's the first shot that counts in the field anyhow.

Thanks for the heads-up on them.

God bless,

Usually hunting bear with hounds means a treed bear and a close shot. Lots of fellas I know that do this carry a revolver/pistol for this type of huntng. It's easy to scramble around the woods after the dogs and plenty accurate at the short ranges treed bears are taken.

One of the guys I used to hunt with used a Colt 38 Super and killed a lot of bears and cougars with it. Your 35 Whelen should do the job fine.