My buddy told me I could hunt his place in the UP section of MI this fall. I have 9 days to hunt. I have a 30-06 and a 7mm-08, but I've heard the deer are a lot bigger than in PA where I live. Any suggestion for caliber and bullet type? The 30-06 shoots 165gr handloads at less than 1" at 100yds. My pal says the heavier the bullet the better, possibly Nosler partition. Anyone want to weigh in on the subject?
Thanks,
Stoney

It would take an awfully big deer for me to feel undergunned with my 7mm-08, so that would be my choice.

However, you sound like you're leaning towards the 30-06, for whatever reason. More comfortable with it, more familiar, your buddy's recommendation, it doesn't really matter. If you are more confident with it, or have doubts in the back of your mind on the 7mm-08, take the 30-06.

Whichever one feels most "right" to you will certainly work for any whitetail.

BTW, the 165 grain bullet is an excellent choice for whitetails in a 30-06.

The white tail may be bigger, but they are not elephants! Michigan hunters kill a buttload of deer with 30-30, and similar rifles. the average shot up there is less than 100 yards. the average buck will dress out at 150# to 180#. a 200+# deer is pretty rare. the 7mm-08 is more than enough for up there. under 100 yards, the 30/06 is way more than enough.

Stoney,

Either caliber will do you just fine. More deer have been killed in this state with 30-30's than probably any other caliber out there.
What county will you be hunting in? Our camp is located in southern Marquette county. There are some huge bodied deer up there,even the does get darn big up in the UP. Every year hunters shoot does that go 200 pounds plus up there.
My personal best white tail is an 8 pointer I shot November 1994 in Marquette county. The buck scored around 125 points and dressed out at 210 pounds 7 days after I shot it. I took him with a 30-06 with factory core-lokt 150 grainers at 25 paces while he was chasing a doe past my location.
Although I have taken numerous deer since my 8 point behemouth, he is still my biggest to date.
Unless you are hunting clear cuts or farmland, most of your shots should be 100 yards or less. Alot of the DMU's have instituted antler restrictions in the last couple years, so the quality of bucks in those areas should be great.
Generally the western UP gives up the really huge bucks, although there are quality deer in every county. The southern counties have the biggest population of deer in the UP. We have shined hay and potatoe fields in Menominee county and seen many dozens of deer using one field.(shining is legal during certain times in Michigan).
I hope this info is helpful!!!
Hey, good luck hunting this year. And keep this deer paradise a secret
Fordfreak

I have been on the U>P alot and in all of my travels, nowhere have I seen more Whitetails than up there.

Before you go, you have to rent the Video, "Escanaba in Dah Moonlight" with Jeff Daniels. It will give you a real insight to deer hunting on the Upper Peninsula.

As far as a 30/06 or a 7/08, leave them at home; as I understand the most popular rig for taking deer on the UP is a rusty 1978 Ford F 150. Remember tho, anything over 45 mph does do considerable meat damage, so watch your speed accordingly.

A 6 pack of Strohs, in the front seat is also standard equipment. ( sort of like the scope on the rifle, it is a must)/.