Wolf Cartridge

[grinrgrn]

Hit them in the right spot. They will go down fast

If you were going to buy a deticated wolf gun. I would be in the 243/6mm range.

If you are a yote guy that may encounter wolves your hot .223” Cals are fine.

When I see a wolf with my 204ruger in hand you better believe I’ll be shooting

This is my thoughts on “wolf rifles” exactly.....i choose my .243 if Wolf is on the menu,and FWIW, I also own a .223 and .204 and several “big game” rifles to pick from.
That said however,I watched a WildTV show some months ago and the host was successful on a baited wolf hunt here in Northern Alberta,I was surprised he chose to use his .204R,especially given that he likely has a closet full of sponsored rifles to choose from,and would be even more surprised if his guide/Outfitter wouldnt have strongly suggested that he use something with a bit more thump?
204 killed em clean though at around 200y if I remember correctly.....nice rug mount no stitching up big bullet holes,lol

 

[grinrgrn]

I have shot a fair number of wolves using a 22-250 loaded with 60 grain Partitions. I have also shot them using rifles chambered for a number of .30 and .338 calibre cartridges and one with a 45-70. In short I use whatever rifle I happen to have handy at the time.

They all died.

This^^ is also the perfect answer....wutever I’m carrying at the time,lol
Doesn’t matter what I’m hunting for.....deer/elk/moose/bear/coyotes/gophers wutever.....when I spot a wolf it turns into a wolf hunt!

 

[Ardent]

Taken a few wolves, guided clients to them as well. Seen them killed with .22 Mag (trapping) to .375 H&H, myself I’d use a .22-250 as a dedicated wolf gun but would have zero hesitation with a .223. Nearly all I’ve taken were with larger hunting rifles, as that’s what I had on hand. Contrary to popular belief they are relatively soft and easy creatures to put down, but they are tenacious in the ground they cover with poor shot placement.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

but they are tenacious in the ground they cover with poor shot placement.

I reiterate, Bigger Hole is Better. Ideal shot placement fails a lot, in the field.

Grizz

 

[Ardent]

The best bigger hole is made by speed on stuff the size of wolves. Seen too many examples to deny it, a .204 Ruger will flatten a wolf much faster than a .45-70 will.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

The best bigger hole is made by speed on stuff the size of wolves. Seen too many examples to deny it, a .204 Ruger will flatten a wolf much faster than a .45-70 will.

Ah, the Weatherby Argument.

Grizz

 

[Ardent]

For things shallow across the ribcage there’s no denying it, speed makes much more of an impact than diameter and weight. As Dogleg puts it, fast light bullet for fast light things and slow heavy bullets for slow heavy things.

 

['Boo]

a .204 Ruger will flatten a wolf much faster than a .45-70 will.

Depends on where you hit it ............. LoL

The one I shot with a 45-70 was a younger wolf that had bolted across a logging road in front of me while I was out cutting firewood. He ran out into a recent cut-block and stopped and turned around ~200 yards out and looked back at me loading the big Marlin. I held a foot or so over his ears and I'll be damned if the 405 grain hard-cast didn't cut a neat hole right through him following the length of the spine. A Central Nervous System hit like that usually turns the lights out quickly.

 

['Boo]

I have noticed that wolves tend to be "shocked" if hit with high velocity bullets regardless of calibre. They are similar to cougar in that regard.

 

[Ardent]

Totally agree.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I have noticed that wolves tend to be "shocked" if hit with high velocity bullets regardless of calibre. They are similar to cougar in that regard.

They've got very thin skins, as my taxidermist told me after sewing up a bunch of cuts from my skinning .

Grizz

 

[bearkilr]

but they are tenacious in the ground they cover with poor shot placement.

I reiterate, Bigger Hole is Better. Ideal shot placement fails a lot, in the field.

Grizz

Very true, and poor shot placement is easy to achieve on a wolf. Usually it's a hurried shot and they're aware of your presence. I've shot a couple dozen and don't recall too many that stood still offering a broadside shot, unless they're in a leghold trap.