223 too light for wolves?

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tipper

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I'm kind of regretting buying a 223 for yote and wolf. I've never been into hunting wolves but there is packs of 10+ around my area in the southern interior of BC.
I probably should have gone 243 or somewhere around there anyways but wanted the 223 for target shooting and it's great for cheap ammo.
I was hoping the 223 up to around 200 yards would be ok for wolves??
 
What twist rate does your barrel have? If it's a 1-7" or 1-9" you could use heavier bullets which would certainly do the trick. If you have a 1-12" twist I'm pretty sure that within 200 yards even the lighter bullets (55g) would take out a wolf.
 
tipper said:
I'm kind of regretting buying a 223 for yote and wolf. I've never been into hunting wolves but there is packs of 10+ around my area in the southern interior of BC.
I probably should have gone 243 or somewhere around there anyways but wanted the 223 for target shooting and it's great for cheap ammo.
I was hoping the 223 up to around 200 yards would be ok for wolves??
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If you have a 1-8 twist barrel use a 70 gr Barnes TSX it was designed for deer sized game.
 
I don't have an answer for you but I'll be watching for replies. From a ballistics standpoint you'd think a .223 loaded with larger, say 75gr bullets would do the trick, especially if you keep your range to 200 or so. I hope someone with personal experience will show up here. Personally, this is one of the things I'd like to do in the future...C.
 
I've killed 3 or 4 wolves with a 22-250 and seen a few others shot with same. It does an excellent job if you hit em in the lungs. I shoot 55 grain ballistic tips. I Even shot one facing me at over 300 yds in the chest. He only went about 20 feet. He bled like a stuck pig! My point is that a wolf wouldn't know the difference between a 223 and a 22-250 out to 250 yards or so. I've also wounded them with cartridges like 25-06, 257 wby, 300wm, when I've hit them poorly. They can be tough if you make a bad shot but it doesn't really matter what you're shooting then.
 
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tipper said:
I'm kind of regretting buying a 223 for yote and wolf. I've never been into hunting wolves but there is packs of 10+ around my area in the southern interior of BC.
I probably should have gone 243 or somewhere around there anyways but wanted the 223 for target shooting and it's great for cheap ammo.
I was hoping the 223 up to around 200 yards would be ok for wolves??
Click to expand...

Load it with 53gr TSX bullets and 26.5 grains of Varget and there is not a wolf in North America that won't fold with a round in its chest!

Wolves are not Rhinos, they are thin skinned animals - think Alsatian dog!

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Or sell me the 223 and buy yourself a 243!
 
Sure, but choose the right bullet. You don't want to use something that explodes on impact, nor do you want one that will just punch through. Remington Core-Lokt 55gr PSP, maybe?
 
YOu shouldn't have any problems with killing a wolf with bullets in the 50-55 grain area out of your .223 .....have fun!
 
Bigfoot 870 said:
Sure, but choose the right bullet. You don't want to use something that explodes on impact, nor do you want one that will just punch through. Remington Core-Lokt 55gr PSP, maybe?
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This. A soft/hollow point designed for deer rather than the varmint rounds most commonly available should do the trick nicely.
 
just shot them you will be fine with your gun .a wolf in just a thin skinned light boned mammal and will die with a hit to the lung and rib area very dead .you will be fine Dutch
 
The only wolf a .223 won't kill is a werewolf.
Look into B.C. hunting regs first. There are lot of daft rules involved with hunting fur bearing beasties in some places. And look into commercial FMJ's if you plan on keeping the hides for a nice wolf hide coat. Assuming B.C. doesn't think they're the same as military ball.
 
sunray said:
The only wolf a .223 won't kill is a werewolf.
Look into B.C. hunting regs first. There are lot of daft rules involved with hunting fur bearing beasties in some places. And look into commercial FMJ's if you plan on keeping the hides for a nice wolf hide coat. Assuming B.C. doesn't think they're the same as military ball.
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Just load some silver bullets and your good too go for werewolves! :)
 
I have never shot a wolf with the 223, but have shot a fair number with my 220 Swift.

Always used 55 grain bullets and took them out to 400 or so without ever losing one.

I would say your 223 should work great at least to 250.

Regards, Dave.
 
There have been lots of yotes and wolves knocked down with 223.......as others have stated , you have nothing to worry about with the right ammo......ENJOY the hunt....
 
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