Wolf gun

I don't think I would use a .223 for wolves. I only have a .223 and 7mm mag for rifles, and I'd probably take my 7. I'd rather have a good deer bullet over a great varmint bullet in that situation.
 
Here is my take on what to use. What other predators are there where there are wolves? Is a .223 going to take down a bear or mountain lion if, heaven forbid, need be? That's how I decided what to take.
 
A 223 will certainly take down a cat. I don't think I'd want to have to stop a bear with one. I will have a 41 mag on my hip if needed. But after being hit by 10 or 20 rounds out of an AR. Which will probably be 6X45 or 6.5 Grendel. I doubt that the 41 will see any action!
 
Last edited:
We all know how tough coyotes are..now times that 3X.
That's a wolf. I use a 6X45 for coyotes,and use my 6.5 Grendel as my go to wolf gun.
Not only for knock down but range,500 yards is a cakewalk with my Grendel in the wind..223 not so much.Stack the odds as much as you can in your favor..because your already at a huge disadvantage with how kneen these guys are.

 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: DirtyDave413You can't make a wolf "too dead". Go big
Best answer so far!
thumbup.gif
 
I'm pretty sure there was report of a wolf hunt on here early last year and the guy was using a .223. He said he got a solid hit on the wolf but when they went down to where it was there was no trace of the wolf at all. I can't remember all the details since it was so long ago, but to me it sounds like .223 might not do the job like you would want it to. Bigger is definitely going to be better in this case, especially with the size the wolves are getting to in Idaho.
 
Its kind of like the ".243 is fine for elk" arguement. Yes, it will kill one under the right circumstances, sadly though, the death may be 3 days later in a deep canyon and miles from the hunter. The odds of even seeing a wolf are astronomical so if the opportunity arises to actually shoot at one, stack the odds in your favor with a "deer" caliber not a "varmint" caliber. I clearly remember the numbers from the Montana 2011 season, over 19,000 tags sold and 166 wolves taken and 2012 was statistically no better. Good luck! (you are gonna need it)
 
I am not really looking at a 223 as a wolf option. I would say 6X45 is my bottom end wolf gun. I am kind of leaning towards the 6.5 Grendel. the main attraction of the 6X45 is brass availability. And using a standard AR bolt face.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: yodeldogs_bane the main attraction of the 6X45 is brass availability. And using a standard AR bolt face.

I would not use this as a deciding factor in building a "wolf gun"
If you are stuck on an AR, build a Grendel and shoot a good Deer bullet (not a varmint bullet)
 

I have a friend who has taken two wolves in Canada with a .243, no problem. I have often thought what rifle I would use if I were to go on such a hunt.

Of the two you mentioned, I personally would use the 6x45. I have both a .223 and a 6x45. My 6x45 is sweet and shoots a heavier bullet, which I like, and is larger caliber. It's a great coyote round.

Having said that, If I were to choose from the list of rifles I have, I personally would choose either a 25-06 or a 6mm06. That's just me.

Good luck and hope you drop a big one.

 
A 223 works fne.
A 10 gauge with #4 buck works fine outta of a plane window.

Wolves are not that resilient that one needs a large caliber rifle, I have actually shot a few up here in Alaska, a 17 Remington and 22-250 puts a smoke on em...

Best bet is just use what YOU feel comfortable and most accurate with!!
 
Last edited:
I guess I will just never understand some peoples mind set that they have to use (or worse, recommend) the absolute smallest caliber that will "usually, probably, hopefully" get the job done. Why not instead use a cartridge/bullet combination designed for 100-140 lb heavily boned/muscled animals and then sit back and enjoy the hunt. I have taken a lot of big game up to and including buffalo and elephant and have always used the heaviest caliber rig that I can shoot well. It is a formula for success that assures you of the ability to humanely take your game from any angle and under the worst possible circumstances, while greatly minimizing the potential for a lost animal!
 
Originally Posted By: CrucibleA 223 works fne.
A 10 gauge with #4 buck works fine outta of a plane window.

Wolves are not that resilient that one needs a large caliber rifle, I have actually shot a few up here in Alaska, a 17 Remington and 22-250 puts a smoke on em...

Best bet is just use what YOU feel comfortable and most accurate with!!


We shot 100's in Northern Ontario. When you have a brief chance at 0-500+ yds at any angle you want a bigger gun. Unless you have no trees at all and don't have to worry about spending two days tracking in deep snow. Many at first were shot with 22-250 but when the sample count gets high you find where it is lacking.

 
Last edited:
My original thought was to re-barrel my 22-250 to a 250 Savage. Maybe it seems a little silly. But wolves run in packs...So then the AR thing came to my mind. Anybody tried putting a 7 TCU into an AR?
 
Last edited:
I havent shot any wolves at 500+ yards.. Doubt I could do that with my trapline rifle after 4 hours on my snogo in 40 below weather.

What I have done is sat a couple hundred yards above a moose kill with wolves feeding and have easily drop one of em thier tracks on more than one occassion. Yeah, think right under 200 yards or closer on fairly static wolves.

Of course I am sure there are many here that can drop the whole pack of wolves or elephants in a 40 mile arctic/african crosswind riding side saddle at a full gallop.. :)
 
Back
Top