223 or 22/250 For Wolves

Coolhand_Luke said:
Hmmm, replies are to keep using my old 06, well there goes my carefully thought out plan to get a new rifle :)

So sounds like while my 30-06 will work just fine, 243 would be ideal wolf rifle then :D ? I haven't hunted wolf ever, but I would guess with them being wary long shots are pretty common.

Luke
Click to expand...

the 30-06 will work, but you do have the perfect excuse to buy a new rifle in 243. I hope you forget about using a 223 or 22-250 for wolves.
 
For choosing a wolf rifle I consider a 223 to be too light to be anywhere near ideal.
Standing wolf 100 yards or so, of course, dead wolf. But a running wolf, or at the 350 yards mentioned, which is not really a long shot at a wolf, it's a different story. Look at the ballistics of your fast 223 at 300-400 yards. A high speed 22 calibre bullet falls off tremendously with distance. Look at the ballistics of it out there and decide if that is what you want to use on wolves.
On a side shot if your 223 bullet lands a foot farther back than you intended, that wolf is not going to lay down and die.
I have wounded wolves with each of a 270 and a 30-06, with regular hunting bullets, that required a long follow up. In one case, the only reason I retreived him was because there was tracking snow.
As several have pointed out, a 243 would be excellent as a wolf rifle. But if you have a 308/270/30-06 class rifle, just use it, with your regular hunting bullets.
 
I shot a wolf 2 years ago, with a 400gr Hornady IB, from my .416RM; range was ~250 yards.

That ##### didn't even quiver. Just absolutely collapsed, dead instantly.

So the .416 can be recommended.



Oh yeah, kill as many of the bastards as you can!! :sniper:
 
6.5x55swm said:
no wolves here, but if your hunting something that can hunt you, i would use the 06
Click to expand...

Rest easy, my eastern brother. If I'm hunting wolves, or out in wolf country, I consider I am in far more danger from tripping over my shoe lace, than I am endangered by the wolves.
The two seperate ones I told of wounding, I walked up within ten feet of each of them, as I circled around them, wondering where to place a large bullet to do the least damage to the pelt.
In each case the wolf was standing on all fours, just watching me, but made absolutely no indication of showing aggretian. In fact, I made note of how each just stood with a look on their face that said it all. "You got me, just do what it is you're going to do," with a sad, woe-be-gone look in their eyes and on their face.
 
Wasn't there a thread on CGN a few months ago with a picture of a Polar Bear that was shot with a .223 ..... or was I dreaming.
 
IF you're looking to keep pelts and shoot out to 300-400 than the 22-250 with a varmint bullet like the vmax would be the ticket. Something frangible enough not to cause an exit but the turn inside of the body cavity to lung soup. The biggest challenge here is a) actually finding a wolf and then b) getting a shot off.
 
Use the same caliber for wolves as you would for whitetail. While most are around the 80-120 lb. range, they can get much heavier, up to 200 lb. for a real monster, and they have far more endurance than a deer.

Yes, Inuk in the Arctic shoot them with 22 magnums and polar bear with 223 at times, but last time I was up there I didn't come across any mountains or densely treed areas, so I'm not sure why some people keep bringing up weapons of choice in the Arctic, it's a moot point.
 
bogie said:
I would think that since the 223 is a civilian 5.56 Nato which is used for killing enemy soldiers it would certainly be adequate for killing wolves. A 308 with a 125gr bullet would certainly be up to the task. That said there is probably a long list that would do the job but why use such a big cartridge when it is not really necessary? Are wolves that tough really?
Click to expand...

You decide...

bigbadwolf.jpg
 
The wolf tracks I crossed today were the size of the palm of my hand and sunk fairly deep in the mud. I'd step up to at least a 6mm. .257 is ideal but the 3006 is good medicine for anything you'll come across. Life is short don't wait for a reason just go buy the new rifle and enjoy it
 
I bought a .243 for wolves, but the only ones I ever shot were while elk hunting, and I shot them with the rifle I had. A .338 is definately enough gun for wolves, but not my first choice. LOL
 
Well, I know for a fact that .222 Remington (55 grain varmint bullet) was a marginal harvest on a young wolf in the eastern townships of Ontario. Required two shots at ranges less than 60 yards or thereabouts. Not a pretty sight that I would wish to repeat.
Wolves are fairly tough animals in my meager opinion.
 
under ideal conditions doesn't happen very often a 22-250 with a 60gr hand load 200 yds or less would likely do very well. That said i would likely choose a 25-06 100gr.or 110gr. or a 270 with the ever deadly 130gr of your choice.
 
upnadam said:
Go bigger. Wolves are way bigger than coyotes. I shot a big coyote last winter right behind its front shoulder with a 22-250. It dropped and then ran. Took two more 50g Vmaxes to kill it. Not enough penatration. I would go with something more suited for deer. If you use your deer/moose rifle your getting practice with the same gun.
Click to expand...


IMHO, your problem there had absolutely nothing to do with your 22-250 and everything to do with bullet choice, Namely the 50 grain V-max's and speed. They are in my opinion one of the poorest bullet choices for coyote there is in the 22-250 or Swift. Great for blowing up groundhogs and crows.

Coyote's are damn tough.

I like somewhat frangible bullets but at the speeds of the 22-250 or swift They are far to frangible for my liking.

When i still had some decent health and could get out on a regular basis I tried them here in N.B. for a couple of years.

Not sure what you mean by a big coyote as it varies from region to region and i don't know where you are.

The coyotes here and in N.S. and Maine can run a bit on the large side.

The V-max's made for some very instantaneous kills....Sometimes.

Just as often though i found they splashed on impact. Even given perfect shot placement I had more runners and spinners with them then any other bullet i ever tried for coyote.


I much prefer the Nosler ballistic tips and found them to be much more consistent for putting them down on the spot.They seem to be a bit of a tougher bullet to me. I have rarely ever had a runner with them. Usually DRT.

I also had great luck on Coyotes with the Hornady 52 grain HPBT Match (yeah i know it's a match bullet but it works great on coyote's)and the Sierra 55 grain Gameking.

I know three other guys here that have tried the V-max's in 22-250 and the Swift for coyote and i don't believe any of them use them now. Two switched to NBT's and i think the third did as well.

Just my take on it. I am sure others will have different opinions.

As far as Wolves go.

I have never shot a wolf so i will have to leave that up to the guys with actual in the field experience with them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom