22 250 load for wolf

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elterrible

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okay so for my next wolf hunt planning on using this calibre . shot will be between 150 to 200 yards . i got a howa 1500 22 250 22 inch barrel 1 in 12 twist . for right now it can shoot factory blue box 55 grain soft point under 1inch at 100 yards current zero is 200 yards shoots a inch high at 100 yards for what i think on a broad side shot it will do the job but was seeing what everyone else thoughts on this particular round . other options are those ballistic tip type rounds like a 55 grain vmax or 55 grain nolser ballistic tip factory rounds . but i think i would get more Penetration with the 55 grain soft point . tried those ballistic tip type bullets on coyotes with no problem but no exit on coyotes but wolf can be 3x larger dog . so leaning towards those soft point rounds. it can shoot the heavier 60 grain ammo but groups are between inch and a inch and a half but since im picky wont hunt with them unless the groups are .75 inches at 100 . that inch an half group at 100 yards expand more at longer distances . what does everyone think i could use my 6.5 creedmoor next smaler cal i have loaded with a 143 grain eldx but it leaves a big mess i want preserve the pelt with minimal damage.
 
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a big coyote around here is 30 lbs average is about 20 to 25 lbs. a grey wolf here is between 80 to 100 lbs they say they can get to 150 lbs but thats a big dog . few i seen taken that were weighed with a scale were between the 80 and 100 lb mark
 
I believe you're on the right track not to use the plastic tip bullets, but also consider that a big wolf might be better shot with the 60 grain SP regardless of the slightly larger groups size. So your point of impact error is 1/2" more with the 60 grain bullets - that's less important than consistent penetration and quick kills.
 
I like your idea, stick to what is accurate.. but select a better constructed bullet for the task. Stay away from the ballistic tips and look to the good old sp tips. Perhaps read up and see what mfg'er makes one with a heavier copper jacket??? Should offer more controlled expansion and weight retention.
 
A 60gr Partition..........tough animals able to go miles with less than perfect hits.Use what you would use on deer...........Harold
 
I never got around to using them as I never got into handloading but I was once given 2-100 rd count of Speer 70gr Spitzer soft point that I was told worked extremely well for larger varmints like wolves. I think if I were to get into handloading I would find a good load for those 70 grain in the 22-250 for wolves.
I know from the various factory rounds I have tried on critters there is big differences in performance based on the bullet choice used. For wolves I would want something with good penetration and expansion without exploding to bits.
 
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the spank said:
I would find a good load for those 70 grain in the 22-250 for wolves.
Click to expand...

The odds are that a 70 grain bullet will not stabilize in a 1 in 12 twist barrel. The 60 grain Partition - a short length bullet - will usually shoot OK out of a 1 in 12 if you launch it at ~3700 fps.
 
I have shot bucks with the 55 great blue box stuff with no
Trouble. No exit wound but a ton of damage inside
 
Yes the 70gr Speer had to be driven at scalding speeds to print nose first in a friend's older Ruger 77 HB .220 Swift.Harold
 


55gr Hornady V-Max, 35.2gr H4895, Win case, CCI primer. Took this 90lb female down.
You guys should give the guy some info from actual use. I don't mind the "plastic tip" bullets, they worked really well and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. Hope it helps.
 
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You can always go Barnes TSX bullets if you're worried about penetration with the 22-250.

I like the idea of the 6.5 CM/143 ELDX, this is what I was planning of using this winter but haven't had much time to get out yet....I'm not worried about hide damage though.
 
The 55 SP's will work just fine, but as said above the 60 grain Partitions are a good bullet and stabilize fine in both of my 12 twist barrels... they are a very good option for wolves.
 
Since the early 90's I have loaded the Sierra 60 grain HP in my 22-250 with a 1 in 14 twist.
When it appeared to be shot out, I advertised for a 1 in 12 223 barrel but what arrived was a 26 inch barrel.
Dennis did the gunsmithing and while no extensive tests have been done it appears it will group under 1" at 200 with 55 and 60's.
My supply of 50's is limited but IIRC about 1.25 for 3 shots at 200 meters using some Remington Match and they are within an inch of Remington 55 grain PLHP.
Based on a previous post some 60 grain Nosler partitions were acquired for a wolf load but there the bag remains unopened . . .
 
They're tough but I don't think a tough bullet is called for. I'd stick with the 55 grainers, they flatten deer.

The wolf I shot with a 40 grain V-max from a K-Hornet died faster than the one I shot with a 200 grain partition.
 
OP, personally, I like your non-frangible thinking for a wolf bullet, that is the way I roll with everything I have used, from .22 cal through .30 cal... mostly 6mm/.257/6.5mm/7mm.

I wouldn't bother with a premium bullet except for the .22 cal, standard SP's and BT's are perfect... basically deer hunting bullets.
 
awesome kill how far was the shot i used a 55 grain nosler ballistic tip on coyotes out to 300 yards no problem with factory federal premium 55 grain nosler ballistic tip a shot under 100 yards seem to splatter on impact with big entry wound with no exit but further than 100 yards bullet didnt splatter . my buddy who hunts wolves said its alright to use those ballistic tip type bullets but said to make sure have a perfect broad side shot bullet shrapnel though the vitals but with soft point get more penetration with less than perfect shot that was his opinon he gave me. i like the idea of those plastic tip bullets they got higher ballistic coefficent than the regular soft point bullets. from experience even with a coyote if dont hit it right can run quite a ways wolf that much bigger
 
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