I got drawn for the fall WI bear season!!  I would like some input as to what i should bring weapon wise. Shots will be under 50 yards (over bait).  I am thinking my 308 AR with ACOG but feel this may be overkill for such short distance. I may take a 30-30? I have or have access to most any popular center fire rifles.  Sidearm will be my S&W Highway patrolman 357.

congratulations,
308 will be a good choice. nothing is overkill for bears imo. i like 300 win mag for body shots. 44 mag for head shots.  they dont have overly tough skin and bone, but they do have an immanence amount of stamina and can run far after the shot. i have seen a few well placed rifle shots at close range and the bear still take a 100 yard run before piling up. in thick woods this could be a tracking nightmare.

The AR10 sounds perfect.

Bears will fall with smaller cartridges but if that's what you have, it will work. My Grendel dropped a 300lb black bear at 130yds like a sack of taters.

Already have 3 different  bears coming  in.  I'll post pics later if I can.