Varmint load?

[Wis65x55]

After my deer hunting observations and looking at the trail camera, I have decided that I need to apply for a wolf kill tag lottery in Wisconsin. Question is this, would I be better off working up varmint load with either a 280 Remington or a 260 Remington? Either way I would have to find some different bullets for either rifle. In 7mm the lightest bullets that I have on hand are 140 gr AB, and NPT. As for 6.5mm the lightest bullets in stock would be 120 gr Bt. I would prefer to use up the powders that I already have on hand( IMR4350, H4831, RL 19, RL 22, IMR 7828, and SR 4759).I will gladly accept any and all load ideas.
Keith

 

[Guy Miner]

Never shot a wolf, but coyotes have fallen quite readily to my standard deer loads in the .25-06 & 7mm Rem mag among others.

I'm not sure that answers what you were asking - guess I'm thinking that rather than coming up with a separate "wolf load" I'd likely just use my deer ammo. Advantage to me is that I never have to sight the rifle in for different loads. I know the trajectory well. I don't have a box of this and a box of that laying around,

Then again, I'm the guy who shot a rockchuck with a 300 gr SPBT .375 H&H load... :mrgreen:

Regards, Guy

 

[gerry]

I would just keep things simple and use your standard deer load, I have never made a special wolf load because it isn't needed. Wolves are deer sized for the most part anyway, on the other hand if you want to experiment that's fine too.

 

[6mm Remington]

Like the others I just used my hunting loads so I would not have to sight in again, and then sight in with my hunting loads after chasing coyotes/wolves. Plus you know where these hit at different distances already. I like to keep it simple.

 

[truck driver]

My thinking is like the others here and though I have never hunted wolves I have been on a few wild dog hunts and can tell you they are tough to kill. I shot a German Shepard who had downed a Jersey cow and watched it run 100yds after taking a 165gr SP from a 30-06 which almost blew it in half. A varmint bullet would have been a flesh wound. People from Baltimore and D.C. drop unwanted dogs in the area and they turn wild to survive and can be as dangerous as a wolf especially if they pack up.

 

[DrMike]

Use your hunting load, Keith. Either cartridge will work very well for wolves. My experience is that wolves tend to be quite wary. I have called them in with a predator call, making for a relatively easy shot. However, the more common shot requires one to act with dispatch as the animals are at a distance and moving quickly.

 

[w8n4rut]

I have 3 points and still have not drawn, I will be trapping for the most part but I do have 2 loads worked up just in case. ruger no.1 29'' barrel 30-378 165 bt 110.0 retumbo
browning a-bolt 243 70bt and rl-22

 

[Wis65x55]

Thanks for setting me straight. After thinking about this more, I will likely work up a load for the 280 Remington around a ballistic tip bullet.
Keith

 

[DrMike]

Excellent cartridge, Keith. Consequently, you might consider the E-Tip for this work. Just a suggestion. I'm certainly impressed with their performance on game, though I haven't actually used them on wolves.

 

[SJB358]

I hope your able to take one Keith! I would imagine anything BT like is going to be awesome on them werewolves!

 

[257 Ackley]

If you are close to Minneapolis and need a few 120 BT's to try before you decide, let me know. I will gladly contribute to the cause.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

TRAPS!!!

 

[super-7]

Thanks for setting me straight. After thinking about this more, I will likely work up a load for the 280 Remington around a ballistic tip bullet.
Keith

No offence to the BT as I am sure it's quite capable of the kill no doubt. My ? Would be are you planning on saving the pelt, making a rug, or casing for a wall hanger? If so you had better find a taxi that likes sewing.
If you are wanting to save the pelt I would consider the mono metal offerings , E-Tip, Tsx , or Gmx.
Before I had a dedicated coyote rifle I used the 120 gr tsx out of my 7 mag . It killed with aplomb and actually wasn't to bad on pelts with proper shot placement behind the shoulder. If you hit bone well lets just say salvaging a hide was out if the question.
It seems I'm often the odd duck out on this forum, but if it were me I would look for the lightest mono metal bullet offered in .264 and test those for accuracy. Anywhere close to Moa and I'm off chasing willy the wolf..

 

[longrangehunter]

The 140 Sierra GameKing has worked very well for me even when run at 3,000 fps impact velocities on Coyotes. Pencil size hole in and out, yet they drop at the shot from the hydraulic shock. I'm sure it work just as well in your 260 especially since the velocity will be a lot lower. These bullets are meant for Big Game and don't make a mess of the hide at all, so much so I no longer use my 223 on them. The hide isn't worth much if it's got a foot ball size hole in it?