22-250 for wolves?

[Thebear_78]

I'm sure your an expert in all things..... Moving on I would say that more wolves are killed in alaska than any other U.S. State annually so the U.S. and them as to alaska vs lower 48 is a distinction to be made.

The fact remains that the 22-250 loaded right will cleanly kill any wolf ever born, regardless of which side of the 49th parallel it falls on. I also doubt there are any wolves in Africa, but if there were I wouldn't feel undergunned with a 22-250 for African wolves either.

Generally wolves are targets of opportunity and are killed with whatever one has at the time. Aside from a couple of full time fur hunters I know all the wolves killed I have known about where either shot from planes, or taken by snow machiners, generally with 223, 22-250, or 243s. Even a couple with 17 rem, fox, Lynx, and coyote being more likely fur bearers to be targeted. Mini 14s and ar15s more often than not because of the ease of carrying a compact rifle on a snow machine.

 

[Thebear_78]

The 64 gr Bonded Solid Base will stabilize in a 22-250 1:14 twist.
I recovered one in the 5th water jug. Pretty awesome bullet.
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=18868

JD338

Almost skipped past this post. I'll have to load some of these up for my encore 22-250. I carry it a lot in the winter on 4 wheeler and snow machine due to its compact size. It's a 1-12 twist so I normally load lighter bullets for it.

I'm going to pick up a box of those BSBs to try in it. Occasionally we run across a bear even in the dead of winter. I'd be sorely tempted to poke one in the ribs if that bullet holds up as well as it appears to. It would probably do well on our little blacktails too.

A couple years ago while bunny hunting we ran across an interior griz and all I had was my 44 revolver, a 10/22, and that encore 22-250 loaded with 45gr HPs. If I had loaded it with better bullets I would have shot him.

 

[longrangehunter]

I'm sure your an expert in all things.....

Generally wolves are targets of opportunity and are killed with whatever one has at the time. Aside from a couple of full time fur hunters I know all the wolves killed I have known about where either shot from planes, or taken by snow machiners, generally with 223, 22-250, or 243s. Even a couple with 17 rem, fox, Lynx, and coyote being more likely fur bearers to be targeted. Mini 14s and ar15s more often than not because of the ease of carrying a compact rifle on a snow machine.

You stand correct on one thing, the answer your last statement. The reason being they're cheap to use, ammo costs money, and most don't have enough money for anything more then one rifle to feed. I also don't think they carry Apps to quickly and precisely give them there drop and windage for shots further then they can see, nor do they have the ability to shoot that far with those rifles.

A 223, 22-250 is falling off a cliff at 300 yards. That distance is a walk in the park for any normal deer gun, and in the hands of an experienced marksman can hit a baseball. Your average shooter up North I don't think he'll be making first round hits on game out to 600 yards let alone further then that with his AR, or Mini 14.

Your comment about me being an expert, compared to whom? You, in what field of expertise? You don't know a thing about me, but I seriously doubt you could keep up with what I'm even good at? Let alone very good at!

 

[maverick2]

What's a typical adult wolf weigh? About 120+ pounds?

Guy

That's an interesting question. I've heard of a lot of Idaho wolves "estimated" at 140 lbs, but every one that I know of that was dropped onto a scale has come back in the 90-100# range. Knowing what a 140# dog looks like, I'd say the 8-10 wolves I've seen over the past 10 years are probably also in the 100# range.

 

[Thebear_78]

Looks like you got me beat in the ego department for sure!

 

[Thebear_78]

The average male wolf in alaska weighs 100-110 pounds with anything over 125 being a big, fully mature wolf. They can also gorge on a fresh kill adding 20+ pounds easily in one sitting.

 

[Africa Huntress]

Wolves in Africa was mentioned. Supposedly the Egyptian Golden Jackal is a Grey Wolf according to scientist who have studied their DNA. Jackals in Namibia are shot with whatever gun one is carrying at the time. A 22-250 would certainly kill a Jackal, but I have never ventured into the bush with a 22-250, so have never shot one with a 22-250

Best Regards

Jamila

 

[Oldtrader3]

Jamila, there is an Abyssinian wolf (C. Siminsis) in the area of Ethiopia which is sometimes called and jackal and is nearly extinct. This wolf appears to be smaller than a gray wolf.

 

[longrangehunter]

Looks like you got me beat in the ego department for sure!

Sorry but once again you're searching for an answer to the wrong question? Just because I use common sense doesn't mean I have an ego.

Wolves are pretty tough critters with bone structure closer to a deer than a coyote.

So you're saying there tough?

I think your over stating the toughness of these animals. I promise they are not bulletproof. Hell, I know a guy who has killed 3 polar bears with a 22-250. He used green and yellow boxed 55gr varmint loads too. The natives love small rifles and use them to great effect.

No animal is going to shrug off one of those 73gr burgers if placed in the vitals.

Are they or aren't they, you sound confused?

You guys must grow your critters tougher down there!! Never said that 22-250 was ideal but I'd can work.

Now it's the down State attack....... Huh.

The most successful wolf hunter I know swears by the 80 gd 6 mm hornady as the best all round wolf bullet he ever used. He has shot hundreds of wolves so I tend to listen when he talks about shooting wolves!

Lately he has been using a switch barrel rifle in 223 WSSM AND 243 WSSM. He had been running the 60gr ballistic tip in the 223 WSSM he had a 1-12 twist barrel but it still shot them well. He said it killed ok but they tended to either plop over or run a couple hundred yards and would occasionally make a mess with bone fragments. It just wasn't as consistent as the 6mm 80gr bullet.

His long range wolf rifle was a heavy barreled 308 running 155 scenar. He said this combo worked great at longer rang but messed up the hide too much at closer ranges.

Id Probably opt for a tougher bullet for a dedicated wolf load. Maybe a 60gr Partition or 52gr tsx. Something that ca get to the vitals on a big wolf.

Sure sounds like the 6mm worked better then even a super hot 22, the 223 WSSM and "It just wasn't as consistent as the 6mm 80gr bullet." But you're still hell bent that the 22 caliber rifles may not be ideal but can work?

I promise they are not bulletproof. Hell, I know a guy who has killed 3 polar bears with a 22-250. He used green and yellow boxed 55gr varmint loads too. The natives love small rifles and use them to great effect.

So now the 55gr. 22 calibers are the perfect Polar Bear round? Are you serious? Listen to yourself, then what the hell do you chase after a bear with then? I doubt you pick up your 22-250! More like your 375 RUM, or is that just too big to use on any Big Game animal and a waste of lead?

There seems to be a tendency among some people to try and prove what great hunters, or great rifle shots they are, by racking up kills with rifles that are really underpowered for the job. Just because a guy can kill an animal the size of a Polar Bear and declare laud and long that no competent hunter need more rifle then that is hogwash!

Sure the rancher that packs his 22-250 seven days a week and who kills a Pronghorn and his Mule Deer every year with the vast majority being one-shot kills doesn't make it perfect. He lives there, packs that rifle around around 24/7, if he sees a dry doe at 125 yards he can take the shot. If not he'll wait till tomorrow or the next day or the day after that!

The danger with this inverse snobbery about killing power is that some impressionable young lad whom I might add can't shoot that well, will go out hunting with a 22 caliber and inflict horrible wounds and leave a lot of suffering animals in the field.

Which brings me to the point here. Someone unbeknownst to all of us reads your post like Gods lips to his ears and runs out hunting a Wolf or even a Bear for that matter with is 22 caliber since your friend killed three with it and ends in disaster.

It's a matter of balance and what's ideal vs. marginal. I've tracked enough wounded game to know there is no guarantee after the shot goes off, things can and do go wrong. And any animal that's capable of biting back isn't the time or the place to be a hero?

 

[Thebear_78]

Longrangehunter- I think we are detracting from the original topic with this back and forth, so if you want to continue switch to messages for personal queries.

Now back on topic, will the 55gr hpbt be as deadly on wolves as it is on coyotes. Maybe, it depends on the shot placement.

The 22-250 will definitely work for wolves, but I recommend you use a well constructed bullet. Wolves being 3-4 times larger than a coyote might require a tougher bullet. The recommended 64gr SBS nosler would likely work very well.

Chances are you already have the 22-250 and running out to get a bigger cartridge wouldn't be worth it. Like anything else you need to use it within its limitations.

No one has said that larger calibers wouldn't work as well or better, just not necessary in this case. The large number of wolves regularly killed by 22-250 and lesser cartridges easily proves that. Wolves are normally hunted for their hide so the least amount of pelt damage is desired.

I would shoot a wolf with anything I had on hand, within its limitations. If I payed 20k for a trophy brown bear hunt I certainly wouldn't take the 22-250 as my first choice. I brought up the polar bears to illustrate that the 22-250 can be effective on much larger animals. I wouldn't recommend the 22-250 as an ideal bear rifle, or even a good choice, but if I happened upon one and had a suitable bullet I wouldn't think twice about shooting one. Passing on any shot short of the perfect opportunity. Interior Grizzlies aren't that big, their ribs aren't that heavy, thru the ribs into the lungs would result in a dead bear, tracking across frozen tundra and snow is not difficult.

 

[baltz526]

We are talking about a Predator. My Goal when Predator hunting is not Fur or a Trophy. It is to save The Prey species the Predator is eating. Wolf Population is Exploding in Oregon. I keep cutting Tracks, Finding Scat in areas ODFW will not admit Wolves Exist. This year I found Sign about 150 miles from the nearest Admitted Wolf Pack. It was on the California Border near the Nevada-Oregon-CAL 3 corners. I Wait for Oregon to Delist the Wolf, Most hunting would be with a 22-250 loaded with 64gr Winchester Power Points at 3350fps. A combo I have Full Confidence in for Deer-Bear-Cougar-Coyote And Wolf If We ever get to kill a few. If a wolf runs off to die 5 miles away and I lose it, I would feel No Remorse while hunting for a new one to attempt to Tag.

 

[Thankful Otter]

Wolves... Where all can they be hunted?

Canada
Alaska
Idaho
Montana?

Where else is it legal to hunt wolves? I'd sure like to hang a big ol' wolf pelt on the wall...

Guy

Alaska has the most but we have our fair share up here. We enjoying seeing a pack ( 4 to 6 ) of Arctic wolves moving across the ice. The Arctic wolf is the best for trim on Parkas as it works great at keeping the frost off the face. Some are so white you can not see them unless they are moving. Now that your retired Guy, you should make a parka out of caribou hide trimmed out with arctic wolf for your wife. She would love it and it will keep her warm when she ventures into the mountains with you.
Just a thought.

 

[Vince]

Wolves... Where all can they be hunted?

Canada
Alaska
Idaho
Montana?

Where else is it legal to hunt wolves? I'd sure like to hang a big ol' wolf pelt on the wall...

Guy

Alaska has the most but we have our fair share up here. We enjoying seeing a pack ( 4 to 6 ) of Arctic wolves moving across the ice. The Arctic wolf is the best for trim on Parkas as it works great at keeping the frost off the face. Some are so white you can not see them unless they are moving. Now that your retired Guy, you should make a parka out of caribou hide trimmed out with arctic wolf for your wife. She would love it and it will keep her warm when she ventures into the mountains with you.
Just a thought.

Guy,

That sounds like an invitation to go hunt caribou and wolf. [emoji2]


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[alaska100]

Bear has pretty much summed it up well with his posts. No one in our family hunts them with a 22-250, but with whatever gun they are using for whatever game they are hunting, but it is always a larger caliber than 22-250

I would certainly think if wolves are all your hunting a 22-250 would be adequate but I personally have never shot one with a 22-250.

Bear do you trap or hunt just for the pelt at all or is your wolf hunting designed basically to reduce numbers ?

 

[Thebear_78]

I don't have time to trap sadly, but wolf would be a target of opportunity at any time. I predator call on occasion and salvaging the hide is the priority. At 250-400 dollars a hide I couldn't see leaving one out there unskinned.