bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
The 223 is fine up to 200 yards or so but lacks the juice for long range on wolf, especially with light bullets.
Opinions on using the odd six for wolves
- Thread starter tipper
- Start date
The 223 is fine up to 200 yards or so but lacks the juice for long range on wolf, especially with light bullets.
I have been carrying a .308 when I go on these hunts for some added confidence if a more distant opportunity arose.
I am expecting significant damage and may look at something like a 25-06 or 243 as a more purpose dedicated rifle down the road.
I am expecting significant damage and may look at something like a 25-06 or 243 as a more purpose dedicated rifle down the road.
blacksheep
Member
I have shot wolves with 22-250, 25-06, 257 wby, 270 win, 308 win, 300 win mag, and 12 gauge 00 buck. The only one that really blew a hide up badly was the 257 wby with 115 gr ballistic tips. I shot a female and dropped her in her tracks. Her 6-8 month pup ran off but circled back and I made a running free hand shot. Hit him in the neck right on the spine behind the head. The hole was huge about the size of a football. I was able to sew it up no problem. Most of the time there's no hide missing, just opened up. You can usually easily piece it back together. You never even notice it on a tanned hide. I would use your 30-06 with 165 or 168 gr soft points. Shooting predators with your main hunting rifle is great off season practice. Great way to really get to know your rifle.
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handofzeus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Trout Creekish Ontario.
Aught-six. Perils of an English major, sorry.
In true CGN spirit, you need no reason to not have a .223, a ,.243 and a .30-06. Seems like a nice family to me.
Doesn't it go 17hmr, 22lr, .223, .243, .257 roberts, .260 rem, 7mm-08, .308, .300 wm, .338 wm, .358, .375 H&H?
I've shot them with my 300wsm when moose hunting, very little hide damage as the heavier bonded moose loads don't have time to expand on a wolf. I've never seen one take another step after the hit either. My .308 with Speer Hotcores has been the same result so a 30.06 would be fine.
I don't target wolves specifically but if I did I would likely stick with a 308 or 260 or something in that range with some smack at a distance.
I don't target wolves specifically but if I did I would likely stick with a 308 or 260 or something in that range with some smack at a distance.
Hey, don't discriminate. If you want to include the extended family, do not ever forget the venerable .50 BMG!
Always good for when you are party hunting deer and have several tags and find a herd lined up in a row.....
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I agree, there is nothing odd about the thirty-aught-six. As was discovered about 110 years ago the .30/06 is a versatile critter capable of killing game of all sizes. If you need a narrow deep wound channel, choose a bullet with stiff construction for the density of the game you intend to shoot, if you prefer a shallower, broader wound, then a lightly constructed bullet for the target density is indicated. Typical .30 caliber 180 gr big game bullets, the ones with little exposed lead, have become popular for a broad range of uses for a reason; they work.
If I craved a dedicated wolf gun, a .243 would fill the bill handily, so should a .250 Savage, a .257 Roberts, or a .25/06, but my preference runs to the 6mm rather than the quarter bores. There is no logic to this preference as the moderate capacity .25s have a long and distinguished history, but when the 25s don't seem to do anything the 6.5s don't do, and the broad range of 6.5 bullet weights makes it the right choice to step into the general purpose big game cartridge arena; if someone made a premium 135 gr .257, I might think otherwise.
Loaded with premium bullets, a .22 centerfire, is a proven contender on wolves, and if the opportunity to shoot one came about when I as armed ith my CZ-527, I wouldn't have any concern about the terminal performance of a fast moving 45 gr TSX. A local fellow with a wolf killing reputation prefers his .22-250 and Remington 55 gr bulk bullets. A pal of mine uses a 222/45 gr TSX and brags up the combination for wolf duty, but he also likes the .22 magnum. By the way, wolves around here tend to run on the large side.
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Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
More wolves are killed with a .22 rimfire than any other cartridge in this country (trapping), I've put down many myself that way (.22 Mag). Next up for the title is certainly the .223, which is what the heli culls in BC and Alberta are done with, with cheap HPs or SPs 45-50gr, hundreds can go down to that in a winter.
While a wolf in a snare being put down is a different deal than a running 250 yard shot, I've determined after much experimentation they are not nearly as tough as they are given credit for. My theory is they're also not nearly as big as people think, this is a coworker's father off his trap line this winter, and is... a 110lb dog. I've found them to be thin skinned and as mentioned pretty easy to kill, and those were according to research I read years ago the heaviest wolves in the country on average (Wood Bison preying).
My thinking is many would shake their heads at selecting a .30-06 for 110lb deer... and wolves are no tougher. More tenacious, sure, they'll go a long ways on their front legs only if spined and so forth, but they die just as easily as the 110lb deer when hit right. In the same breath I absolutely will not criticise someone for using too much gun! There really is no such thing as we've discussed here at length, I've shot them with a .375 H&H. However you're not going to see any real improvement in effectiveness over the humble little .223. I'd love to see scale pics of 150lb+ wolves... But even at 150lbs, that is WELL within the .223's realm.
While a wolf in a snare being put down is a different deal than a running 250 yard shot, I've determined after much experimentation they are not nearly as tough as they are given credit for. My theory is they're also not nearly as big as people think, this is a coworker's father off his trap line this winter, and is... a 110lb dog. I've found them to be thin skinned and as mentioned pretty easy to kill, and those were according to research I read years ago the heaviest wolves in the country on average (Wood Bison preying).
My thinking is many would shake their heads at selecting a .30-06 for 110lb deer... and wolves are no tougher. More tenacious, sure, they'll go a long ways on their front legs only if spined and so forth, but they die just as easily as the 110lb deer when hit right. In the same breath I absolutely will not criticise someone for using too much gun! There really is no such thing as we've discussed here at length, I've shot them with a .375 H&H. However you're not going to see any real improvement in effectiveness over the humble little .223. I'd love to see scale pics of 150lb+ wolves... But even at 150lbs, that is WELL within the .223's realm.
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You do make a valid point Ardent.... I have no doubt that it can be done... That being said I personally prefer more speed and heavier bullet weight for wolves and that may be a comfort thing based on their reputation... Also, where I hunt them they are often either on the run when you shoot at them or hung up 300 yards out depending on the method used.... but I have also had them run across the backs of my snowshoes....
I apologize for the grainy picture..... This one weighed in at 120 and small change... Taken at Kap River Outfitters in Northern Ontario...
I apologize for the grainy picture..... This one weighed in at 120 and small change... Taken at Kap River Outfitters in Northern Ontario...
I agree 100 percent. 223 and 22 250 are my go to .I used and love the 264 Wm. But until I get a reloaded set up I am sticking with the 22 250. Wolf's are not hard to put down and any 40 great bullet in the ribs will do the job.More wolves are killed with a .22 rimfire than any other cartridge in this country (trapping), I've put down many myself that way (.22 Mag). Next up for the title is certainly the .223, which is what the heli culls in BC and Alberta are done with, with cheap HPs or SPs 45-50gr, hundreds can go down to that in a winter.
While a wolf in a snare being put down is a different deal than a running 250 yard shot, I've determined after much experimentation they are not nearly as tough as they are given credit for. My theory is they're also not nearly as big as people think, this is a coworker's father off his trap line this winter, and is... a 110lb dog. I've found them to be thin skinned and as mentioned pretty easy to kill, and those were according to research I read years ago the heaviest wolves in the country on average (Wood Bison preying).
My thinking is many would shake their heads at selecting a .30-06 for 110lb deer... and wolves are no tougher. More tenacious, sure, they'll go a long ways on their front legs only if spined and so forth, but they die just as easily as the 110lb deer when hit right. In the same breath I absolutely will not criticise someone for using too much gun! There really is no such thing as we've discussed here at length, I've shot them with a .375 H&H. However you're not going to see any real improvement in effectiveness over the humble little .223. I'd love to see scale pics of 150lb+ wolves... But even at 150lbs, that is WELL within the .223's realm.
You are right! I'm at the range three to four times a week and see guys that hit a pie plate at 100yds 3out 0f 5 times and say good enough to go shoot deer this season! Me and my shooting partners cant seem to get our groups tight enough!! More shooting less talking most guns do the job its the shooters who fail!
If your ought six is your go to gun, give it a try. I made up a 130gr Barnes TSX load with varget for mine. Its pushing those pills just over 3200fps. As they are copper they shouldnt do much for fur damage. But I cannot confirm that. I know deer really dont care for them.
