WOLF .Caliber ??

I think if a 22-250 or .243 wouldn't kill it DRT?

I wouldn't want to try it with a .270 either.

rc

Dont know anything about how tough the skin is, but as far as size goes, I dont see why .223 wouldn't work.

A wolf is nothing more then an overgrown wild dog.

The skin is thin as animal skin goes, and they are not armor plated, or bullet-proof.

If you put an explosive HV varmint bullet through their chest, they will die just like any other wild dog after quickly drowning in their own blood.

rc

load of crap. one of the first wolves taken in montana after it was allowed was taken by a little young lady with a 22LR.

any centerfire will do the trick. the author may not feel comfortable taking anything smaller but a 150LB wolf sure isn't much of a match for just about any of the popular hunting cartridges in the US.

I don't know, I killed one with a 9x19 once that attacked me. Okay, it was a chow lookin' mutt, but close.

Out west I hear they call a 257 Weatherby the perfect wolf caliber. I don't see why a 243 or even 220 Swift or 22-250 couldn't handle an overgrown coyote.

I read a piece a while back and the author said that a
.270 Win. would be the minimum rifle caliber that he
Would advise for wolf hunting. He did not specify bullet
Weight. What do you all think ??

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I do not think anything below a 338 Winchester Magnum would be effective on a wolf....actually I would suggest a 375 H&H as minimum...

any caliber capable of humanely taking a whitetail would take a wolf.

Thermonuclear? Sorry, not fond of them.

Ive used a .22mag many many a time, its one of the best "Fur" rounds out there....as well as what was in my hands, usually a Mosin Nagant. The wife too caught a dandy with one up the pazooza , as it ran away, and she added no holes to the hide.



The hide is thin, Wolves are narrow chested, and often, a .22 Mag go's all the way through, especially behind the shoulders..... When using a larger rifle, I use FMJ's, and I prefer the hipower'd rifle to "close the gap" as the Wolves speed away, full tilt.....

I used to think a .22 mag pretty worthless, too much for squirrel, too little for anything else. Then, I happened into one in a trade and I love the thing. It usually rides in the truck with me now days and it's my go to chicken coop protection. It's not that bad on squirrel, it takes rabbits, and I'd pop a pig in the head with it in a heartbeat. Little light for pigs, head shot required, but this thing is near MOA accurate at a full 100 yards, flat shootin' beast, too. I've done in a feral dog once, big one after my buddy's goats, with a .22LR NAA mini revolver from 20 yards. I don't think the .22 mag from a rifle lacks much on that.

My aunt shot a German Shepherd that was after a horse colt with a .22LR out of the rifle my uncle kept behind the kitchen door.

It almost made it to the road before it died, but one shot did it in. If I were deliberately going out to hunt wolves, the rifle's caliber would probably not be a huge consideration, since just about anything would do one in within its range. I'd probably just use my .243 if I was going to go on a wolf hunt right now, since it's my main hunting rifle and I have loads for it made up.

Since wolves in this state are completely off limits, I'll just stick with taking it after coyotes, javelina, and deer.

I did a little homework while I was watching "The Grey" the other night. They are savage to a degree most of us never think about, but they aren't that big. My main concern wouldn't be about whether or not a given bullet is good enough, but more whether or not you would get a shot at all.

I shot a boxer at about 250yds with a 110gr V-Max out of my 270, her right leg (exit side) flipped over her back and clapped her left. I shot her right through the shoulder and it darned near ripped her whole shoulder/leg/side off. If you did not care about the hide, at all, use a heavy caliber with high expansion bullets.

I think 223-243 would all be good choices.

A 243 is all you would need if you want the hide - also if you want to use a 223 use a Barnes 60gr.

Wolves get pretty big, the record is a 230lbs beast, I would not feel overgunned with a 270 Win but I have little doubt a 243 would do the trick as well especially with a 100gr quality bullet like an interlock or SGK.

I shot a boxer at about 250yds with a 110gr V-Max out of my 270, her right leg (exit side) flipped over her back and clapped her left. I shot her right through the shoulder and it darned near ripped her whole shoulder/leg/side off. If you did not care about the hide, at all, use a heavy caliber with high expansion bullets.

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Only thing, some bigger cartridges with light weight bullet lack accuracy. I'd want it to be accurate, but so long as it's accurate enough, I'd use, say, a .30-06 and a 110 grain bullet or like that.

Me, I'd use my .257 Rob. and 100 grain game king, killed a buncha deer with that rifle. That bullet is 0.5 MOA at 100 yards.

My Husqvarna, no idea what the twist is, will make a ragged hole with 150gr Partitions but the best I can get out of the 110 V-Max is about 1.75" groups at 100yds. In Montana, most people just pick up a wolf tag on the off chance they spot one while out deer/elk hunting and pop them with their big game gun. Most ghillie suited face painters I see out hunting wolves are carrying some sort of AR.

Wolves may be wild but, they are dogs.

I'd want something bigger for dangerous game. The .270 should do the trick, but when the animal being hunted could end up hunting me, I want more surety. Maybe I'm overestimating the wolf (recently saw The Grey, btw, LOL), but I'd personally rather be safe than sorry. I'm thinking the large (200-220 grain) .30-06 loads as a minimum in my opinion. .338s or .45-70...

The only wolves I've seen were in Yellowstone except for one HUGE one in northern Minnesota. That one's back was almost as tall as the hood on my brother's truck. We "guess-timated" its weight at 150-170 lbs. The ones in Yellowstone were much smaller .. like big coyotes.

Any flat-shooting gun would work on most wolves I imagine but I'd feel safer with that big Minn. lobo with something large .. like a .444 Marlin.

I'm thinking the large (200-220 grain) .30-06 loads as a minimum in my opinion. .338s or .45-70...

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Me, I'd prefer the .223 than a heavy bullet .30-06 that ain't going to expand.

It's a big dog, people, not a mammoth! .243 is excessive, .22 magnum about right. But, at extended ranges, a .243, maybe a .22-250 (a fine varmint caliber) or a .220 Swift is appropriate. Or you could go the "blow him in half" route with a .257 WM or something shooting an 87 grain bullet. If you want the hide, stick to the .22s and use a 55 grain bullet that is not explosive.

A 223 will handle them no problems. I like the AR. 30 rds just encase the rest of the pack shows up.

CPLofMARINES said:

I read a piece a while back and the author said that a .270 Win. would be the minimum rifle caliber that he Would advise for wolf hunting. He did not specify bullet Weight. What do you all think ??

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Run one by me when i have my 22Win. Mag. in my hands, and you will see that a .270 sure as heck isn't needed!!

DM