Now days deer in MN and WI. Back up gun for bad weather that is a regular companion is a Savage 16 in 7/08 with 140 gr Core-Lokts. A Remington 700 in 300 Savage with 150 gr Sierra Gamekings often makes the trip too but isn't a primary either. Primary gun for the last several years is something roughly 50 years old and more often 80+ years old. This past season it was a Marlin 36 in 35 Rem made in 1952 and a Remington M-8 in 25 Remington though marked 25/35 Rem. The Marlin was loaded with 200 gr Hornady RN and the Remington 100 gr Interlocks. The latter took a buck not far from where The Jordan Buck is believed to have been shot. The three previous years were various guns made in 1909,, 1912-1914, 1927, 1928, 1940, and 1950. They didn't all account for game but they went out.
In the slug zone or black powder season it has been mostly an H&R Ultra Slug in 20 ga with Accu-Tips or a 54 caliber T/C Renegade with a Maxi-ball.
Black bear, hunted until a couple years ago, were taken over bait and a Browning BLR has been the mainstay for many years. Main bullet was 250 gr Hornady RN. The T/C was used the first couple of years.
When I hunted out west for antelope, deer, and occasional elk, a Browning A-Bolt in 300 Win mag with 180 gr Core-Lokts and/or a Mauser 98 in 6mm Remington were regular companions. The 6mm is the old 1:12" twist and only shoots 100 gr core-Lokts well. I'm down to my last 11 bullets and am hoping I can get 85 gr Partitions to shoot well in it.
