What caliber for wolf without too much fur damage?

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thud

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Hi, I am going to be wolf hunting every year starting this January. I was wondering what caliber is ideal for 200-300 yard range on Northern Ontario wolves. Its a 2 week hunt over bait and e-callers.
My first idea was .243 but I might like .25-06 as well.
I have never really understood the trend toward short and supershort magnums. Is it just to use the short actions for weight issues?
Thanks
 
FMJ is not allowed to hunt with in BC. not sure about your regs but would check.
.243 would be a good choise. use a slow expanding bullet and hit the ribs.
 
Larger calibers are okay for wolf if you're already carrying around a bigger rifle for other game, as long as you're shooting solidly constructed bullets that don't make a mess.

I've got a wolf pelt right next to my computer that was taken with a .375 H&H shooting 270gr grand slams, and it has a nice .375 hole on the entrance side and a hole about .50 on the exit side. No problem for any sort of taxidermist to fix up.
 
I would probably go with a .243. Wolves are tough bastards and rarely give you a great shot. I know people that shoot them with .22-250 and .223, They probably work fine, But I'd want a bit more, .25/06 would be a nice cartridge as well.
 
I shot a calf-killing wolf for a local rancher . I used a single shot Savage in 220 Swift . I set up about 200 yds. downwind of the calf carcass. When the wolf finally appeared just before dark I put a 55 gr. bullet into it's chest, ran up and put another into her head .
No obvious entrance or exit wounds....but didn't look too close as she was lousy with wood ticks .
In NW On. we have to buy tags now and you are only allowed two .
 
thud said:
Hi, I am going to be wolf hunting every year starting this January. I was wondering what caliber is ideal for 200-300 yard range on Northern Ontario wolves. Its a 2 week hunt over bait and e-callers.
My first idea was .243 but I might like .25-06 as well.
I have never really understood the trend toward short and supershort magnums. Is it just to use the short actions for weight issues?
Thanks
Click to expand...

With 200-300 yard shots I'd pick a 243 and up, with a Barnes or similar bullet that expands but holds together and exits.
My opinion for wolf in wooded areas is to use a caliber you'd feel comfortable using for whitetail.
 
Ive shot a few parry sound wolves. they are a bit bigger than the coyotes around here.
They all do the round about dance and run a bit when hit with the 223.. but the 243 seems to hit them like a hammer, so I guess the same would apply to wolves.
 
Stevens .223, Model 200

This is what I use for coyotes.

This is a good, not expensive long range, fairly accurate rifle. It is light weight and very manageable.

Also, the ammunition is very affordable.

photo-10.jpg
 
Thanks for the info.
I have a cottage near Chapleau and wanted to wolf hunt there. I am thinking of settting up in a blind with the bait and caller out on the frozen beaver ponds and long bays on the lake.
The Steven's 200 was one of the guns I was thinking about. But it doesn't come in lefty so I am going to start looking on the EE.
Thanks again.
 
thud said:
Thanks for the info.
I have a cottage near Chapleau and wanted to wolf hunt there. I am thinking of settting up in a blind with the bait and caller out on the frozen beaver ponds and long bays on the lake.
The Steven's 200 was one of the guns I was thinking about. But it doesn't come in lefty so I am going to start looking on the EE.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...

If thats the case then you'll be hunting primarily greys, so I'd look at a 243.
 
thud said:
Hi, I am going to be wolf hunting every year starting this January. I was wondering what caliber is ideal for 200-300 yard range on Northern Ontario wolves. Its a 2 week hunt over bait and e-callers.
My first idea was .243 but I might like .25-06 as well.
I have never really understood the trend toward short and supershort magnums. Is it just to use the short actions for weight issues?
Thanks
Click to expand...

338 Lapua mag
 
Is 338 lap or .416 better than the .358 I have? Maybe I can cast my own to get up to the same grain bullets?
Haha I might only salvage one side of the furs. I could shoot one on the left side and then the other on the right and sew them together?
When I first thought of this hunt, I toyed with the idea of finding a lighter bullet and handloading to give me some sort of longer range out of the .358. But, if I am going to go to the effort to sit in the cold that far from my bed I think bringing the right tool for the job is appropriate.
 
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