6.5x55 for wolves?

[axemaster8]

Does anyone out there have any experience using this calibre for wolf hunting?
I have no doubt it would be able to put a larger wolf down (as there are a lot of large wolves around my area).
My concern is with saving the fur, and how it will fair against the 6.5x55 round. Will this cartridge cause too much damage to the fur? Would you only use it with certain types of bullets?
Just looking for any first hand experience from you knowledgeable folks.

 

[Grouse Man]

Sorry, no wolf experience. But the few deer I've shot with 140 gr pointed soft points have always left small exit holes. Through both lungs, maybe a loonie sized hole at worst.

 

[Big Uke]

Shooting marmots (years ago) with 140 gr. HP match bullets left gaping holes and much damage.

 

[rral22]

Never done it, but I would try some of my favorite heavier deer bullets first, and see what damage they do. I think with a cartridge that is a bit "heavy" for the job you are contemplating that bullets that held together would be less likely to do extreme damage to hides than the lighter more frangible bullets you may find for the round. It is a principle that I have seen work well with a .243 on coyotes.

 

[hoytcanon]

Have not used a 6.5X55 specifically on wolves, but I have used .257 Roberts with 117 grain SP's and 7mm-08 with 120 and 140 grain BT's and they all work great for wolves, the 6.5X55 should be an ideal wolf cartridge. Hornady's 123 grain SST or 129 SP should be a good bullet for wolves.

 

[Kinjo]

A 6.5X55 can be used on any game in North America. It's been the cartridge of choice in Europe for large game for over a 100yrs. You'll love it

 

[MiG25]

Should be perfect, the "premium" bullets would likely do less damage to the pelt.

 

[MartyT]

I think you will do alright with deer hunting bullets (cup n core). I shot a coyote this deer season with a 270wsm shooting fed fusions at about 220yds, exit was size of expanded bullet. Caliber overkill but it will work fine

 

[Bartledan]

I took a deer with a Nosler factory 140 grain accubond and it was a perfect pencil sized through hole with virtually no meat damage.

 

[bearkilr]

Try a Barnes TSX, they seem to work well for minimal hide damage when you use a cartridge that will exit, which a 6.5x55 will.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

My favorite load for meat & hide saving used the Hornady 160 gr. RN launched at 2100 fps. Pinhole in & pencil hole out on deer, as well as being effective at 200+ yds.

 

[357Maximum]

the

 

[keith mokry]

Shot few wolves with a 260 and 140 nosler partitions. Two were good and one was in the backbone which caused some hide damaged

 

[98ssuck]

I shot one with a 140gr amax. Not the best shot placement. I hit her in just before the rear hip. Bullet hit ribs on the way in and out made about a 2" exit hole.

 

[hoytcanon]

I shot one with a 140gr amax. Not the best shot placement. I hit her in just before the rear hip. Bullet hit ribs on the way in and out made about a 2" exit hole.

That wasn't a wolf... it was a snake...

 

[Hitzy]

PRVI makes 139gr FMJ for the Swede

 

[brybenn]

Sst driven fast or any heavy cup and core at a modest velocity should work fine. I use 117 interlock spbt at 3100 fps in a 25/06. I've had up to a twoonie sized hole. Shot was maybe 60 yards broadside. I call them in so I usually shoot them in the chest head on

 

[b72471]

The 6.5X55 will work just fine. I would use a 223 myself but have used calibers up to 270 win. " a good wolf is the one laying at your feet".

 

[BigUglyMan]

should work just fine. Good bullets will go a long ways toward saving the hides. I'd use it if i didn't have a 25-06.

 

[Boomer]

The size of an exit hole is a function of velocity and bullet construction, the stronger the bullet is made, the less violent it's expansion, the the less exit damage you can expect at any given impact velocity. By contrast, a light weight bullet impacting at a higher velocity might not exit at all, but if it does it'll make a mess. Bullets intended for varmint hunting are a poor choice IMHO, since they can't be counted on to produce adequate penetration on other game animals. Most wolf hunters score when they are hunting other things, so just use the same bullet you would on a deer, moose or bear hunt, and the outcome should prove favorable. Shell Shucker's advice rings true.