Ok, here's my scenario. I'm going on a bear hunt next month. Normally I'd just take my 30-30, but the owner of the place we're going said to bring something that fires a larger cartridge and that semi-autos were allowed. To me, I'd say a 30-30 would do the job, but a chance to hunt with my M1 is something I don't want to pass up (live in PA, no semi hunting allowed). I however do not have a scope for my rifle. I've looked at some options online, but I just want to see what some people's opinions are with their experiences.
I want to get a mount that sits ahead of the receiver (where the clip is inserted) since the offset scope just doesn't feel right to me. I'm also looking for functional, not cutting edge top quality. I can only afford so much. The scope I could probably just take off my 30-30 or buy a cheaper scope if I need to, it's the mount I'm wondering the most about. Any recommendations at all would help.
And please, no comments saying "that rifle sucks, use this rifle instead", "use the offset mount, so much better", my minds already made up.