223 Remington for wolves?

land308

land308

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I know they are huge. I have seen the pictures and have seen a dozen or so in the wild(at distance). My problem is that my 243 win and my 308 win are set up for long range shooting with fixed 10 power scopes on them. Not the best calling scopes. Anyway that leaves my savage 223 and my AR in 223. I'm thinking I might load up some heavy bullets 70-80 grain area and use my AR this winter. Anyone have any experience with wolves? How tough are they? I would really like to have the semi-auto. Thanks for any Input.

This site has got me motivated to hunt wolves this winter.
Saveelk.com saveelk.com
 
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Hopefully there will be 220 less after this season. I think the 223 is to small but that is just my opinion. I would use the 243 if possible. Wishin us both luck this fall.
 
I was wondering the same thing. Trying to decide which caliber would be the best. 308 seems a little big, but I guess I could load up some 125's for it. I'd like to get one with my AR carbine though..... Have you heard when we'll be able to get tags?
 

Hey guys,
no doubt wolves are tough critters,however a bullet through the lungs is a dead wolf!!!! I have shot them with a 25-06 with 75 grn v-maxes,a 243 AI with 107grn Matchkings,a 6mm Remington with 68 grn Wildcats,this years hunt will see me packing a .223 A.I. shooting 75 grn a-maxes at 3082 fps.There is not a wolf alive that will not drop with that combo.Your .223 needs the heaviest bullet it can shoot,75grns and up . Accuracy is what it's all about. The best time for calling is about 10 A.M or just before dark.
Best of luck!!!!!!
R
 
Thanks for the input. I was hoping to get some replies from up north. Got anymore pictures like the one in you avatar? I am always amazed by the size of those suckers.
 
Originally Posted By: land308I am always amazed by the size of those suckers.

land308,

I'm with the guys in the "take enough gun" crowd. I lost a mountian lion that I shot with a .223 and it killed me as the hours wore on, the blood trail ran out, and night fell on a lost trophy. I now use my .308 exclusively when I'm in lion country. Personally, I'd do the same for a wolf - anchor the trophy - that's a BIG animal in that avatar.

Whatever you choose - I wish you luck getting one,

Mark Healy
 
I have never shot a wolf so take what I say with a grain of salt.


Coyotes amaze me at how tough they can be. I have seen 30 lb yotes shot with a well placed 223 run (and wolves can weigh over 100 lbs). If I did not live in the area so that this would be my only chance to hunt them this year, I would be looking for something that would at least shoot a 100g bullet.

But I do strongly agree with wolfhunter, accuracy and shot placement is everything.
 
I use a rem model 7 in 223 for wolf topped with a 4x9. Other then some chilly weather issues that I had to deal with it works just fine if I do my part. Been toting it since they started making them several years back.
 
I have never seen a wolf until a month ago we went to south dakota to a drive threw wildlife thing and they had wolves with black bears in one area you drive threw. I know one thing the wolves are very aggresive there was one that kept trying to fight a black bear And it wasnt a small bear. There was another one watching but that one thought he was 10ft tall. When the bear had enought he let the wolf know it and he finally backed off. They are a massive animal but shoot placement is the key like stated a 223 should have no problem putting one down but i think i darn sure would want an auto as you stated AR with me on the hunt.
 
A 357 will be on my side. I also don't plan to hunt alone.
Thanks everyone for the "good luck" comments. I hope we can get these wolves under control so our kids and future kids might have hunting opportunities like we have.
 
I'd just plan on shooting them several times. I think I'd pick that 60 gr. Nosler Partition for an animal that big.
Since I own a .308 semi-auto, the AR would be my second choice, but if that's all I had, I sure wouldn't have a problem using it.
Get some.
wink.gif
 
Are there minimum caliber/cartridge limitations imposed by the G&F in Idaho and Montana for wolves?

Is it legal to use electronic callers?

A Wolf calling hunt up north is definitely at the top of my list. It would be great to use the .223 R15, however depending on the recommendation from the guide I may lean toward my (old dependable) 6mm Rem w/87 gr. hornadys or perhaps even the .284 Win. w/120 grain.

If any of you northern neighbors have suggestions on how to pursue an oppportunity please let me know.
 
The min. Caliber is set as this "It has to be a center fire." Sounds like the Electronic Callers are going to be a no go because of it being considered a big game animal. But haven't heard for sure yet.

I'm confused, Why would you want to spend all that money trying to shoot a wolf and have a .223 in your hands when you spot that wolf at 500 yrds? Tomorrow I'm dropping off the 7mm STW to get worked on and this will be my Wolf gun. If I see one at 600 yards I want a gun that can reach it. They will all kill them up close but not all will reach them when you need too. My wife is packing her 7mm Mag. The .223 is getting left home along with the 12 gauge.
 
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The wolf in the pic above was shot with a 220Swift. I think a 243 would be a good balance.

Calling is very effective but I think setup and technique are more important than the sound you use.
 


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