Caliber choise for Wolves

[BrentM]

We need a repository for all the threads where some guy announces he's going to kill a wolf In MT or ID. They are all equally ridiculous and I'm willing to bet that exactly zero wolves were ever harmed by the original posters. So you wanna kill a wolf in MT? Cool. The average encounter is a wolf running at 500 YDS. They have massive range and are incredibly smart.

I have serious respect for anyone who is successfully shooting them year after year. I have shot 2. I recovered 1, finally, after more than 10 years of trying to put myself in a position to get one. I see them once or twice a year. I hear them far more often. Opportunities don't come very often, they happen fast, and in my case they are usually far away. But you should totally go get one with a .17 and tell us the story when you get back.

I've tagged 16 and lost a few and missed a few. It's max effort minimal reward and not many get it, unlike you. It's refreshing to know others struggle with it too. It seems those who do have some success think they are experts. It's a bit frustrating but that's life. One thing is certain for me, I take the rifle that I know gets it done from close to far. A far rifle works close but a close rifle doesn't work far. You nailed with the opportunities don't come often comment, so be prepared and take what you can. Made that mistake last week and had them in my scope multiple times and didn't send it….. not happy with myself at all.

 

[sp6x6]

Friend of mines killed over 15.But ah yes a challange for sure.I was going to run one over in my f350 driving to work in Swan but a tourist pulled over to look at,had get out of there lane

 

[glunker5]

Deer caliber or bigger imo- killed a few, they die quick hit right but r tough if hit wrong

 

[Shawn Carverelli]

Not a .223 remington, but maybe a 22-250 or 220 swift minimum. Heart/lung shots will spell death if not instantly, then fairly soon.
I'd prefer .243 or 6.5 calibre though

 

[WYOHTF]

I've got a few under my belt, in Montana. They are tough critters for sure.
I used my .308 and 165sst's for two and a .243 and 100gr noslers for the other.
I've only encountered them once in the timber, I did not like it. I was pretty spooked. I had my .308 and a .357mag pistol. Would have way rather had my 12ga. and buckshot on that day- in that circumstance. They moved so fast through the brush and lodgepole, no way to get a shot. My best guess was there were 7 of them.
The wolves I have killed were between 200ish and 550 yards.
Lots of shoeing on closed logging roads howling and mouth calls. I miss it.

One of the more successful wolf hunters I know of uses a 300RUM.

 

[ol mike]

WYOHTF,
Do you hunt them in Wyoming?

 

[WYOHTF]

WYOHTF,
Do you hunt them in Wyoming?

No- But I could possibly be talked into it. I have an idea where to go over but would have to look into the seasons and what's open. I started a construction business 4yrs ago and until this winter I haven't barely had time to even ice fish.

I am currently a Wyoming resident but am moving back to Montana in a few months. It only takes 6 months for residency in Montana, and I will be bow hunting there this year

 

[WYOHTF]

WYOHTF,
Do you hunt them in Wyoming?

 

[BrentM]

One of the more successful wolf hunters I know of uses a 300RUM

Good lord, why?

 

[WYOHTF]

Good lord, why?

I have no idea, he shoots some pretty long shots
The rifles he packs are pretty heavy
My .308 got turned into a 7mm-08A.I., it has a 24" .750 @ muzzle barrel and weighs almost 8lbs scoped. That's plenty for me. I like you pistol, they make some pretty handy slings for them

 

[BrentM]

I have no idea, he shoots some pretty long shots
The rifles he packs are pretty heavy
My .308 got turned into a 7mm-08A.I., it has a 24" .750 @ muzzle barrel and weighs almost 8lbs scoped. That's plenty for me. I like you pistol, they make some pretty handy slings for them

Yeah that's a lot of boom boom. No thanks. I get it tho. To each their own. My longest wolf is 980 and many 500-750. I've poked yotes to 1475 but that's a low percentage hit factor.

 

[fmuguira]

I d say 6mm -25 cal would be a solid choice. Bullet choice similar to what you d use on a deer. Wolves can easily exceed 100 pounds and 120-140 lb isn't uncommon. Bigger than 6mm-25 cal I d say anything like a 270-06 wouldn't hurt.

If I happened to stumble on a wolf when all I had was my heavy bullet 22-250 AI (88-90 grain bullets) I d be in afraid to take a 400-600 yd shot. Friend shot one last year with that combo at 540 or so and it did the job.

 

[kimberyote]

Good lord, why?

Grizz in that area.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I d say 6mm -25 cal would be a solid choice. Bullet choice similar to what you d use on a deer. Wolves can easily exceed 100 pounds and 120-140 lb isn't uncommon. Bigger than 6mm-25 cal I d say anything like a 270-06 wouldn't hurt.

If I happened to stumble on a wolf when all I had was my heavy bullet 22-250 AI (88-90 grain bullets) I d be in afraid to take a 400-600 yd shot. Friend shot one last year with that combo at 540 or so and it did the job.

Wouldn't be the velocity(2400fps) or energy (900ft lbs) at 800 yards I'd be concerned with in harvesting a Big 140lb Male Wolf. What I'd be most concerned with is the elements causing a poor shot at that 1/2 mile range. Won't take much wind at 800 yards to steer that projectile off course vs a .257/.264/.284 heavier, higher BC bullet. Obviously if someone takes a 22-250AI on a Wolf hunt, I'd like to think they can shoot wind with that set up but it's reliability is much more unpredictable than a heavier bullet with a higher coefficient. Heavy for .257 or .264 would be my starting point.