Wolf Hunting Rifle/Cal.

R

RT

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Im going to give wolf hunting a try, what calibers should I look at...Ive got a couple rifles in .223 but would kinda like somthing in a more " classic" caliber like a 22-250, 22 hornet, 220 swift or 6 mm. Any other suggestions, I dont mind hard to find or almost obsolete calibers!

Thanx
 
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I have only killed one wolf, so take my advice with that in mind. But I have shot a bunch of coyotes, and a wolf is just as tough and 3x as heavy.
A .22 hornet is the minimum that I use with full confidence on coyotes. It would be too light for anything but ideal shots on wolves. A .223 would be a minimum choice in my opinion, especially "iffy" for long shots on the lake ice or big meadows. I personally would choose something like a .243 with 80 gr bullets.
 
Whatever you can shoot accurately. Something 24 cal and up. Traditional varmit bullets are usually designed to blow up on rodents to avoid ricochets. If one wants to have a useable hide this leads to grapefruit sized exit holes. Use a stout hunting bullet, avoid the shoulder socket, in a larger than 22 cal there is still plenty of energy for a humane kill. Scope it in a low variable, since shots can be at 20 feet or 300 yards.

You probably already own such a rifle. But far be it for me to spoil your shopping fun. We are gun nutz after all.
 
When you say wolves, you are referring to Eastern Grey (Timber) Wolves, not Northern Brush (coyotes) Wolves... I would say the .22 Caliber centerfires are ideal for coyotes and sufficient for "wolves" but the "Quarter-bores" and 6.5mm's are "ideal" for Grey Wolves... In a dedicated wolf gun I would choose from these; .25/06, .257W, .257R, 6.5SW, 6.5CR, .260, .264WM... (Etc...)
 
RT said:
Im going to give wolf hunting a try, what calibers should I look at...Ive got a couple rifles in .223 but would kinda like somthing in a more " classic" caliber like a 22-250, 22 hornet, 220 swift or 6 mm. Any other suggestions, I dont mind hard to find or almost obsolete calibers!

Thanx
Click to expand...

I don't know if you are a reloader or not but my late Brother in the Yukon borrowed a 257 Ackley Imp. from me nearly 20 years ago for the specific purpose of Wolf hunting, and he loved it.
Nearly as fast as a 25-06 while burning less powder it killed wolves like lightning for him.
I never got it back.. LOL !
 
In a chance encounter while carrying a .223Rem I'd use it, but if setting out deliberately for wolves I'd take a .243Win or bigger.
 
6.5x55
25-06
270
243
257
6mm
223
22k-hornet
Are my choices in order. But since i dont have the funds for a new rifle right now i would use my all around 8mm mauser.
 
Peter Martin, a renowned wolf hunter from Northern Ontario with 300+ wolves under his belt swears by .257 Roberts as being the perfect wolf caliber. Wolves are thick skinned compared to yotes so choose a calibre accordingly.
 
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