Black Bear Hunt 1st Time out

I think you'll be fine. It depends on the part of the country you'll be hunting. Around here a typical bear is under 200 lbs, so anything that will work on deer is fine on bears. But... Even here in GA we have a few 400 lb bear killed every year and there are several over 500 lbs that have been taken. I got a good look at a 515 lb bear at the Blue Ridge WMA several years back as it was being checked out. It made the 260 lb bear I killed look small.

I'd prefer a bigger gun, just on the off chance I run into one of the really big ones and had to take a less than ideal shot. But I'd hunt with a 30-30 and your bullet choice is a good one.

I have hunted bear in Ontario and I had a friend who used a 30/30 and took two bears with it . I think that you will be fine at up to 100 yards good luck but II am warning you that bear hunting is highly addictive. Good luck LOL!

Be careful of the urge to shoot on sight. The cubs can come out of nowhere. But you can't necessarily wait forever, depending on the wind. Just make the honest effort.

Steel yourself for the first appearance of a skinned out bear. Creeped me out the first time.

It will look like Uncle Fester out of his pajamas. You'll have a blast. You'll go do it again. Do not shoot too soon as others have noted as the cubs can wander on to the scene late.