The 220 grain bullet in the Marlins 20 inch barrel yields 1980 fps and 1750 in the Contenders 14 inch barrel. The 200 grain clocks 2012 from the Marlin and 1880 from the Contender. The 1800 grain clocks 2210 from my Marlin but just under 22 in the contender. The 35 gives about 150 lb ME over the 30-30 but the 220 grain bullet penetrates much further than the 170 grain 30-30. Plus the increase frontal area.
If we go on raw power then of course the 458 Win Mag would be a much better Black Bear gun. However if you want a light short easy to handle tree stand type rifle that has plenty of punch at ranges out to 100 yards, then the 7600 Carbine or the Marlin Lever in 35 Remington is perfect medicine. I am one of the idiots that thinks a guy can have enough without excess. I don't belong in the whiz bang age.
But thats ok because theres plenty of those guys as well. The old 30-40 Krag was one of the best short range hunting rifles we ever used but it to has gone the way of the pep squeek cartridges. The last two big Blacks that I have taken in Sask, were taken with the 45-70.
RH. How do you like your 760?