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Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? #7551411 07/08/19 08:28 PM
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StephensCnty308 Offline OP
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Ok I have a question for each of you. Earlier this year my wife surprised me with a 1 week stay/hunt at The legends ranch up in the North woods of Michigan. Nice 10 year anniversary present I would say.
I’ve never hunted high fence so this will be NEW to me. They say bring a rifle with at least a 30 cal bullet or anything you are best at shooting with.
In Texas for Deer I have always used my 25-06 with a 117 grain bullet. I have never lost a deer with it however we are talking Texas deer! Just last month I shot an Axis buck with it.
Elk and Mule deer I’ve used my 300 win mag and my 7mm.
I can’t say I shoot one over the other any better as I shoot all 3 throughout the year.
I always use the 25-06 over the other two magnums for my Texas deer hunting as it was given to me 22 years ago by my grandfather and I like to save meat.

However I’m not sure what Michigan high fence deer are like ( big bodied )
Should I stick with my 25-06 and rely on 100% as always shot selection or go with the 300 WinMag ?
The 25-06 is known to be a deadly deer round however is it different up against big bodies deer?


What would y’all do ?

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551417 07/08/19 08:34 PM
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I’d call the outfitter and go with what they say.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551426 07/08/19 08:43 PM
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Take what you have the most confidence in. Spend some extra $$ on ammo before the hunt and get in lots of practice. Been plenty of mule deer and elk killed with a 25-06 if that is your choice. Just don't go into the hunt second guessing yourself.


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551468 07/08/19 09:21 PM
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Might be a good excuse to buy a new 30-06 !!!!





Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551490 07/08/19 09:44 PM
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Just my .02$ - I would lean toward the 25-06 if that is more comfortable for you. Plenty of elk and mulies taken with that round.


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How about that Brandon!
Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551496 07/08/19 09:47 PM
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Take them both and if they give you a fit about the 25-06, use the 300WM.


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551503 07/08/19 09:51 PM
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I came from Michigan my family either had 3006 or 3030. Never had problems. Yes big bodied deer 200 plus pounds. You just don't throw over the shoulder and walk out of woods.
This was back in the 60's and 70's.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551511 07/08/19 09:55 PM
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They are still just deer. Any caliber mentioned will get the job done if you wait for a clean shot.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551522 07/08/19 10:00 PM
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First of all the Legends is an awesome ranch. IMO if you are paying that kind of money for that class of a buck I would certainly go with over kill. On a hunt like this you are after the horns and if you ruin some meat so be it. A 300 win mag with 180 grains is what I would pack - I want there to be zero chance that deer runs off


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551523 07/08/19 10:00 PM
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You're from Texas...bigger is better. up

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551593 07/08/19 11:15 PM
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Where I want to say screw it and throw the win mag at one I also am curious how that 25-06 stands up to a 200lb Michigan deer.
Both still get lots of use until October.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551613 07/08/19 11:33 PM
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One reason for the larger calibers is probably that Michigan has a lot of brushy undergrowth. When I was growing up there the larger calibers were favored because they wouldn't deflect as easily if they hit a small branch. I don't know if that was an old wives tale or not but I didn't know anyone shooting anything smaller than a .270




LETS GO BRANDON
Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551694 07/09/19 12:39 AM
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I am thinking deer on the Legends ranch are way above 200 lbs - they have raised monsters for years - my guess is 250-300 lb deer

Last edited by tlk; 07/09/19 12:43 AM.

You can't fix stupid
Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551786 07/09/19 01:58 AM
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Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem hunting any WT deer in NA with a 270 and a 130 gr Accubond, Use the 300 with 180 gr bonded bullets (Accubond, Trophy bonded Tip, Scirrocco type bullets) just to be safe. In case you end up with a close range quartering to shot that requires deep penetration. I'd rather be over gunned than wondering what will happen. Good luck on your hunt and post pics if you connect! PS....if you can shoot, the 25-06 will smoke 'em too!!!


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551828 07/09/19 02:35 AM
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had a client in the truck last week who went on and on about his hunt at legends ranch.


They had an absolute blast!


they took some very big bodied deer. I would use the 7mm mag or the .300 win if I were going .


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551835 07/09/19 02:44 AM
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Since you already have a 300 WM, I would use that one with Nosler Partitions. Those deer won't know what hit them.


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551841 07/09/19 02:53 AM
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If you can’t kill a deer with a 25-06 you need to take up a new sport.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551873 07/09/19 03:33 AM
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Whatever you do, if I were you i'd take any money I would spend on a new rifle and etc and spend it on that lady. You're a blessed man. Looking forward to the pictures


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: scalebuster] #7551902 07/09/19 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by scalebuster
If you can’t kill a deer with a 25-06 you need to take up a new sport.



I think it’s more to do with how far will they run.


A .25-06 is fine for 150-200 lb Texas deer.

Add another 100 lbs to them I would up my gun to a .270 at min.

Yes I know people kill elk with lesser calibers, but why risk it


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7551992 07/09/19 12:52 PM
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I've not hunted Legends, but I've hunted Timberghost in Iowa 6x. Take the magnums. The first deer I killed up there I shot with my 7mm-08. Had to shoot him twice. The second shot anchored him just before he went off the edge of the ridge we were hunting on. Every hunt after that I used my 300RUM.

Yes, their body weights run 250 on average, early in the season.

It's not necessarily the size of their bodies that is the challenge with lighter calibers. It's the stuff they'll run into if they aren't DRT. Having spent most of an afternoon helping to recover another guy's Timberghost buck that wen't about 300 feet down into a ravine is something I never want to be a part of again.

The outfitter said to bring something .30 caliber or larger (preferably). That's what you should do. Leave the '06 at home.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: 10 Gauge] #7552031 07/09/19 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by regularguy11B
Whatever you do, if I were you i'd take any money I would spend on a new rifle and etc and spend it on that lady. You're a blessed man. Looking forward to the pictures

X2, unless you are very very stupid. I'd take the larger rifle.


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7552058 07/09/19 02:01 PM
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My thoughts is that a bang flop DRT kill is more dependent on where your bullet hits than what bullet/caliber it is.

Shooting deer behind the shoulders through the ribs/lungs will likely result in tracking no matter what you use. Shooting in the shoulder to break them down or high shoulder to hit the spine will typically drop them in their tracks and can be done with either. If you want to count on the drt shoulder shot with the lighter calibers I would be more picky about my bullet slection.

In the end they recommend 30 cal and you have a 300 win mag, i'd take it if your comfortable with it.


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: Mr. T.] #7552065 07/09/19 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. T.
Originally Posted by regularguy11B
Whatever you do, if I were you i'd take any money I would spend on a new rifle and etc and spend it on that lady. You're a blessed man. Looking forward to the pictures

X2, unless you are very very stupid. I'd take the larger rifle.


I agree with these guys. Take the .300 (as long as you can shoot it well) and don't look back.

Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: StephensCnty308] #7552070 07/09/19 02:10 PM
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I have used my Remington .270 with 130 grains Corelokts to kill Red Stags and Mule Deer in Alberta/West Texas all with high shoulder shots. The Mule Deer in Alberta field dressed well over 300 lbs. I used that rifle and ammo combo since it was all I had. I just made sure I put the bullet where it needed to go. If I had a larger caliber I might would have used it but I did not at the time. So I took what I had. I have used the same combo on WT and exotics here in Texas for years. My largest WT dressed 190 lbs. Take what you are comfortable shooting and have the most confidence in.


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Re: Gun selection for Michigan high fence ... your thoughts ????? [Re: Choctaw] #7552142 07/09/19 02:59 PM
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Here is my 300 win mag it was built on a Manners stock , hart barrel and Stiller action. I built it as a target/hunting rifle hence the 24” barrel
It’s not as heft as it looks as the nightforce scope isn’t light in weight however I don’t see myself hiking a mile or two up there. Only problem is I don’t have a rear sling stud on the rifle so adding a sling isn’t as easy as most.

This rifle kicks like a kitten as the stock soaks up the recoil.


As for the comments of giving back to the wife...
That’s in the works.
The funny part about it is she is looking forward to this as well because as he says you will be out hunting and I will be relaxing by far enjoying the scenery .
I don’t know who’s looking more forward to this her or myself .


Yes I will most certainly take pictures and post them.

I plan to pick which category deer in stand. I’m not wanting something insanely crazy looking.
I am wanting a huge symmetrical deer with possibly a droptine or something cool.

Thank you all for your responses. It’s helped a lot



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