Wolf hunting with a 243 70 grain nosler ballistic tip

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elterrible

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Plan on going wolf hunting picked up some factory loaded federal 70 grain nosler ballistic tip my rifle shoots really well haven't taken anything with this ammo yet but hopping it works well on wolves flatter tragetory than 100 grainers is this a good load for wolves ? Shots be under 300 yards hopefully . Anyone use this ammo ? I used the 55 grain ballistic tip out of my 22 250 on coyotes with good results but I think that little light on wolves but like the idea of a 243 with a heavier ballistic tip.
 
I shot a couple years ago when Nosler made a 70 gr BTHP and it performed well, I don't think you'll have any issues. I agree that a 22-250 with 55gr. is on the light side, many will disagree. They're not hard to kill when hit well but impossible to catch up to when wounded. Wait for a broadside shot and tuck it behind the shoulder.
 
Ardent said:
I'd do a 300 yard zero with them and you'll have a 350 yard PBR. Be prepared for disappointment, most wolves are shot by happenstance while hunting something else. Where are you chasing them?
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Very true. I've been trying for years with no luck in region 3
 
Sitting over a bait . But while checking some snares last weekend ran into one running across a cut block took a quick shot at it but it was 330 yards Running I missed .
 
70 grain Nosler BT in front of some 4350 works great here in Ontario for coyotes in my .243.
The 70 grain BT shoots flatter than any 100 grain spitzer to 500 yards in my rifle.
 
The 70 BT will work fine placed in the breadbasket... but as a general rule, I use the same rifles and loads that I do on WT's.
 
Not sure what bullet My72Jeep and his wife use in their 243's but both of their wolves were killed with one shot.

All of the wolves I have shot have been with 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with Varget. I am happy with the results.
 
70 gr Ballistic tips in front of a healthy dose of 4895 has mine shooting 2" high to low to 250yds. Have not seen many critters walk from this round with a solid hit. Sometimes they hit a little to solid and things can get messy. Be forewarned.
 
Mine was shot with an off the shelf Winchester Super X 100 gr. Power Point. My wife's was a hand load Sirra-Match King 70gr. HPBT#1505.



Winchester Super X 100gr after going through a wolf from left chest to right belly. Was found in the hide fat. It had no energy to exit the hide.
 
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I have used Nosler 70gr. BT on coyotes, also Hornady 65gr. Vmax. without any argument from the coyotes. I missed the timber wolf I shot at using the Noslers, so I can't personally attest to what they will do to a full sized wolf. I presume when you say wolves your not talking coyotes but timber wolves. A coyote weighs in about 40 Ib. a timber wolf 75 - 100 Ib.+. Regardless tuck a 70 gr. Nosler in behind the shoulder and I think it's a done deal.
 
hoytcanon said:
The 70 BT will work fine placed in the breadbasket... but as a general rule, I use the same rifles and loads that I do on WT's.
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I go along with this, my favourite hunting is hand calling coyotes with my 22-250, the two times I used it on wolves by chance I deservedly felt under-gunned and was very picky about where I let the light into them.
With your 243 I'd lean toward the same cartridges you have learned for use on deer, one because you will condition yourself even more using that rifle and cartridge and two, because some of those dogs can be big
 
Chas said:
Not sure what bullet My72Jeep and his wife use in their 243's but both of their wolves were killed with one shot.

All of the wolves I have shot have been with 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with Varget. I am happy with the results.
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Going to have to rethink this. I skinned out my latest wolf and there was a fist sized hole in the pelt - worst damage I have ever had. Thought it was an exit wound at first until skinning and realized it was the entrance. If you look below the large wound you can see the entrance hole - looks like the bullet hit shoulder bone and blew up. Wolf only went 15 yards but I have never had an experience like this one. May move to 60 grain partitions.

 
Chas said:
Going to have to rethink this. I skinned out my latest wolf and there was a fist sized hole in the pelt - worst damage I have ever had. Thought it was an exit wound at first until skinning and realized it was the entrance. If you look below the large wound you can see the entrance hole - looks like the bullet hit shoulder bone and blew up. Wolf only went 15 yards but I have never had an experience like this one. May move to 60 grain partitions.

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looks pretty typical for a shot to that location. 2 inches forwards or back you wouldn't see that. the hole is probably where the hide starts to wrap around the leg. and hitting bone does not help you send bone fragments all over. did the heavy base of the ballistic tip exit? if not where did it end up, dig after it.
 
I've shot a few coyotes with 58gr Vmax bullets, don't like em...they kill fine but seem to splash and tear up the hides real bad. Just moving to 65 gr V- max made a big difference. If I was out for Wolves I'd be trying a 75gr hpbt. Or an 80 sp or 87gr v-max in my .243? One of those 3 I think would bo just fine for the wolf packs.
 
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