Watched a very good interview on YouTube today with an Idaho DNR gunner named Greg Jones. Went over a lot of things. Gonna have to put more time in on some spots( like bring a lunch) and stay all day. I have wolves in a couple areas I hunt, see if I get lucky. Now what gun do I bring, thinking 243 bolt gun, have dots to 500 yds.
Wolf hunting
- Thread starter Heymartay
- Start date
coyotekilla83
Active member
To me 243 would be a starting point, wouldn't be afraid to go to 6.5 creed, 6.5prc, 270 win.
The tendency of wolves to roll up 10 deep would have me wanting a stout, dependable semi.
The tendency of wolves to roll up 10 deep would have me wanting a stout, dependable semi.
moonshine44
Well-known member
A wolf's a big puppy dog. I think I'd want something with a bit more oomph than a .243, but that's just me. We don't get to hunt them here, unfortunately...
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
Any deer caliber is more than adequate for a wolf, less body mass than a northern whitetail buck.
CalCoyote
Member
In my opinion the 243 is plenty for wolf but bullet construction is critical. A few years back I read a thread on a hunting forum where the hunter shot a wolf with a 6x47 with a 70g Sierra Blitzking. The photos showed blood sprayed all over the snow but the hunter did not recover the wolf. It was a splash wound that made a big but shallow wound and the vitals were not impacted. Nosler makes the Partition in the 85g, 95g, and 100g. I believe that any one of these three would reliably anchor a wolf. I own a couple 243s. Hopefully I will get a chance to test my theory up here in NW Wyoming.
Last edited:
Spurchaser
Well-known member
After seeing what the 87gr VMax .243 does to hogs, even shoulder shots, I’m sure it would anchor a wolf.
Decoyed
Member
I had an old wolf hunter tell me wolves are not as tough as everyone thinks. A 223 or 22/250 kills wolves no issues. I believe him. We hunt deer with 22/250 and never have issues. Keep your shots reasonable and you shouldn’t have any issues. But if your a big bullet nut go with 30wsm.
jcs271
Well-known member
I'm not a wolf hunting expert but I have at times pretended to be one online. 
The 223 and 22-250 will certainly kill a wolf with a nice broadside double lung shot. In my experience however that is a shot that is seldom presented.
My advice to anyone that will listen is to take a rifle that you're comfortable with and shoot a bullet that you would be very confident shooting into a deer. It is such a rare opportunity to even have a shot at a wolf that you really want to be able to make a kill shot from any angle presented. That requires a bullet to penetrate potentially through the rear hip of a rapidly departing wolf and get into the heart lung area. Whatever rifle you decide on, do not load it with a quick expanding varmint type bullet. I know of too many instances where I'm sure the wolf ultimately died but they were never recovered and when you're dealing with the trophy of a lifetime, that is unacceptable.
I personally think that your 243 with an 80-100 grain slug would be perfect.
Good luck, JCS
The 223 and 22-250 will certainly kill a wolf with a nice broadside double lung shot. In my experience however that is a shot that is seldom presented.
My advice to anyone that will listen is to take a rifle that you're comfortable with and shoot a bullet that you would be very confident shooting into a deer. It is such a rare opportunity to even have a shot at a wolf that you really want to be able to make a kill shot from any angle presented. That requires a bullet to penetrate potentially through the rear hip of a rapidly departing wolf and get into the heart lung area. Whatever rifle you decide on, do not load it with a quick expanding varmint type bullet. I know of too many instances where I'm sure the wolf ultimately died but they were never recovered and when you're dealing with the trophy of a lifetime, that is unacceptable.
I personally think that your 243 with an 80-100 grain slug would be perfect.
Good luck, JCS
GC
Well-known member
I'm not a wolf hunting expert but I have at times pretended to be one online.
The 223 and 22-250 will certainly kill a wolf with a nice broadside double lung shot. In my experience however that is a shot that is seldom presented.
My advice to anyone that will listen is to take a rifle that you're comfortable with and shoot a bullet that you would be very confident shooting into a deer. It is such a rare opportunity to even have a shot at a wolf that you really want to be able to make a kill shot from any angle presented. That requires a bullet to penetrate potentially through the rear hip of a rapidly departing wolf and get into the heart lung area. Whatever rifle you decide on, do not load it with a quick expanding varmint type bullet. I know of too many instances where I'm sure the wolf ultimately died but they were never recovered and when you're dealing with the trophy of a lifetime, that is unacceptable.
I personally think that your 243 with an 80-100 grain slug would be perfect.
Good luck, JCS
When JCS271 speaks wolf hunting, everyone should be listening.
Spend a few minutes searching JCS's old posts and you'll have some great reading!
Rockchucker ll
Member
I used a .270 in ontario.
Rockchucker ll
Member
I would go a tad bit heavier than the .243. 25/06 or 270
Airedale56
Member
I’m using the Berger Elite Hunter 108 grain in a fast twist .243 Winchester on coyotes, but am gonna stick a wolf center chest with one some day, soon I hope.
I think it will work.
I think it will work.