DannyD first off welcome to the world of hunting, How did you fall into hunting later in life? Well I live in Virginia the terrain and foilage and numbers of bears is similar as West Virginia, Bear Hunting either place is no slam dunk and your odds are going to substantially improve if you are hunting with hounds. I have been hunting here in Va. a long time and have never set my 30-06 down, i have taken deer from 30 yards to 150 yards you just never know. Bear hunting the bear will most likely be treed if hunting with hounds shooting a 30-30 or 270 the bullet is going to travel a long way especially if you where to miss. I would invest in a shotgun this is going to open up another door of hunting for you Birds, Squirrels, Rabbits and bears in trees using a slug. If you are not hunting with hounds and your bear is going to be on the ground I would use the 270, I know it is similar to what I shoot which is comfortable for me I have taken 2 bears with it and both were one shot kills, so I think it is enough gun. But as the other guys were saying 100 yards or less your 30-30 will work. I am an opprtunist and If I were bear hunting and Bowinkle was to strut by at 150 yards I would want to be able to take him. Good Luck and think about that shotgun.