Ideal Wolf Hunting Rifle

spdrman

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
425
Location
Idaho
If you where going to have a dedicated wolf hunting rifle what would it be?

I was fine with using my bolt gun last year but here in Idaho they upped the tags to 5 in the area I hunt, so now im thinking I need a semi auto gun (always looking for an excuse to get a new gun) doubt I'll get 5 at once but I would sure like to try if I had a pack come in!!

I have an AR 15 in 223 but want something bigger so I was looking into AR 10's and came across WSSM in AR 15 platforms, like the weight savings idea of the AR 15

Just wondering what you guys would use and would love to hear any experience with the WSSM

Unless you can think of anything better!! Im all ears!!!

...... and we all know the ideal wolf gun would be a Dillon mounted in a helicopter buts let's keep it realistic ;).....
 
Why, one of these of course...:D
 

Attachments

  • GAU-17A.jpg
    GAU-17A.jpg
    17 KB · Views: 227
All kidding aside. I've heard/read some horror stories about the WSSM in a Semi-auto platform, lotso feeding problems. Of course, most of those are Oly-ams so go figure:rolleyes:
I have seen reports of a few full on customs that ran pretty well. You might save some $$$ and roll with an AR-10 if you want a semi... they are heavy though. The newer AR's can run as good as a bolt rifle in the accuracy dept, but you are constantly chasing brass (& it beats the crap out of it).

The 223 WSSM eats bbls faster than an Allen Mag :rolleyes: Which is why they are chrome lined from the factory. The 6mm & 257 variants will do better.... I've always though about a 6.5WSSM:D but opted for the 6.5 WSM instead (bolt rifle).
 
It seems like "to each his own" on this topic.

I based my choice on hunting area, hunting methods.

I never was much for gas guns as I tend to lean towards precision versus volume. I use the gas gun for short range yot hunting only. If it were probable that I could get that close to a woof every time I came across one I'd probably stick with the gas gun.

Around my neck of the woods, southeast Idaho, most wolf hunting occurs along with elk hunting. Thus the rifle of choice is elk ready and capable of doin' in a woof also.

For woof hunting specifically, I will be pressing my good old, and recently rebuild, LRH rig. Before the rebuild she was proven out to ~1500 yds. She pushes or pushed, before the rebuild, a 150 gr bullet at 3550 and coyote accurate to the distance mentioned. Since the rebuild she'll be dedicated to 169.5 gr Original Wildcats at about 3250 (yet to be determined)

With a 200 yd zero and well under 16.x MOA drop at 1K, she'll have plenty of range.

Since the rebarrel she's much more handy and easier to pack around the mountains. Looking forward to a good year..
 
I was wondering if the wssm would having feeding issues

Where I elk hunt id want a gun that could really reach out and touch something but I only archery hunt there, where I see the most wolves the shots would be under 600 yards which I can shoot sub moa all day with my AR15 223 at that range, but id also be deer hunting at the same time so would prefer a bigger bullet for shooting deer at that range, I've had friends that have AR10 in 308 that shoot every bit as good as my bolt gun but I doubt they'd make the weight restrictions for hunting and I wouldn't pack one any farther than from a truck to a bench

Haven't had any time to pursue them this year but in years past I've called them in to under 100 yards, at that range I wouldn't want anything other than a gas gun

Just trying to see if I can find a bigger caliber that will fit in a AR 15 platform and still perform well on deer
 
I bought a 6.8SPC specificly for wolves (Bison Armory upper, on a Spikes lower with a Timney trigger). It weighs the same as a 5.56 and has way more punch. 8.5lbs scoped and loaded makes it a joy to pack in the mountains. It doesn't burn out barrels any faster than a 5.56. With good handloads it'll hold half inch groups. The only drawback it that it isn't the flattest shooting gun, but with a good scope and rangefinder it's not a problem. Plus it's so light on the shoulder that you don't really lose sight picture so follow ups are scary fast. It's good out to at least 500yds for tree mutts and yotes (I haven't shot it beyond that yet, but I don't see 600+ being a problem at all)
Cody
 
There are some good ones mentioned above me & i'll add another which would top my list if sticking to the AR-15 (not 10) platform.

The 6.5 Grendel, higher bc than the 6.8 SPC, with higher sectional density to boot. The 6.5 will handle any deer (with proper bullet selection) & own any woof in short order.

The Grendel has shown to be very accurate in the right rig, I think a fella would be pleased with one.
 
I just built a 6.5 WSM that I want to take to either Montana or Idaho for a wolf hunt. That is my next out of state hunt in the next year or two.
Tarey
 
The 6.5 Grendel, higher bc than the 6.8 SPC, with higher sectional density to boot. The 6.5 will handle any deer (with proper bullet selection) & own any woof in short order.

The Grendel has shown to be very accurate in the right rig, I think a fella would be pleased with one.

+1 to both the 6.8 SPC and the 6.5 Grendel, both are decent rounds, if you're sticking with the AR-15 platform.
 
There are some good ones mentioned above me & i'll add another which would top my list if sticking to the AR-15 (not 10) platform.

The 6.5 Grendel, higher bc than the 6.8 SPC, with higher sectional density to boot. The 6.5 will handle any deer (with proper bullet selection) & own any woof in short order.

The Grendel has shown to be very accurate in the right rig, I think a fella would be pleased with one.
If you go with the Grendel, make sure you can get reloading supplies for it. I was going to build a Grendel (and still plan to ) because it does perform a little better than the 6.8SPC, especially past 400yds. But finding brass and bullets is harder with the Grendel than with the 6.8. It might be getting easier to find now, but it's something to keep in mind.
 
If you go with the Grendel, make sure you can get reloading supplies for it. I was going to build a Grendel (and still plan to ) because it does perform a little better than the 6.8SPC, especially past 400yds. But finding brass and bullets is harder with the Grendel than with the 6.8. It might be getting easier to find now, but it's something to keep in mind.


Actually, I've been seeing somewhat opposite listings. Wolf makes cheap Grendel ammo, Hornady now offers ammo & brass, Lapua is offering Grendel brass & of course the Alexander Arms offerings. The Grendel is here to stay if I had to bet on it. 6.5mm bullets are everywhere, not so for the lighter 277's. IIRC Rem & SSA make SPC brass but cannot recall others...

Just food for thought.gun)I know a few of the Grendel items are very new & most probably don't know they are out there.
 

Recent Posts

Top