Gun for wolf?

[JT]

I'm hunting for black bear with my bow this fall. I am also going to have a tag for a wolf. I'm not 100% I am going to get within bow range for the wolf, so I'm thinking about keeping a gun with during the hunt. I'm thinking of .270.....any other suggestions? I don't want to use something that will ruin the mount. Thanks!

[crazycoonhunterNE]

just make sure you use a ballistic tip that way it leaves a tiny entrance hole, and explodes on the inside, and doesnt go the rest of the way through

[game4lunch]

Check the local regs. Maybe you can bait it in.
My first thought is that .270 is way more than you need. I'd say a 25-06 or .243 or something. If .270 is all you have, try some ballistic tips in a light bullet weight. Like 110 or so.

[salukipv1]

a big wolf will go 150lbs, so just imagine a 150lb dog?

I think a.270 or .30-06 sounds good, really anything youre using for bear etc....just use on a wolf as well kinda like a varmint who cares what you hit one with as long as you kill it etc....and do it well. I dont beleive youll be purely wolf hunting, kinda more of a while bear hunting if you see a wolf......otherwise just a wolf round, .270 sounds nice, 7mm-08 or .308, maybe 25-06,

[bigbulls]

.270 will work jsut as well as anything. It is obviously a lot more gun than you need but it is a predator.

If I were using the .270 and wanted to preserve thepelt I would use a slower moving 150 grain bullet with heavy construction. It will penetrate both sides but will leave asmaller exit hole.I will almost guarantee you that a 130 grain ballistic tip will blow through and you will have a much much larger exit hole. I shot a 140 grain ballistic tip through a 600ish poundelks chest broadside out of my .270 and the exit wound was large enough to put my fist in it. Not a good pelt preserving bullet. Basically the .270 will give you two holes regardless of what bullet you choose. How large the exit hole depends on the construction of the bulelt.

Now, a .243 with a 95 grain ballistic tip or an 85 grain Sierra BTHP from Federalwould be far a better choice in my opinion. These two bullets will turn the insides to mush and will verylikely stay inside the wolf.

[tangozulu]

My .243 has taken quite a few out to 300 yards.

[JT]

Thanks! The only other guns I have are .223 and 7mm. I think my father-in-law has a .243 that I could use.

jt

[Wolf killer]

The 223 that you own is more than enough gun.

[game4lunch]

ORIGINAL: JT

Thanks! The only other guns I have are .223 and 7mm. I think my father-in-law has a .243 that I could use.

jt

Just remember to practice 200, 300+ yard shots WITH the ammo you are going to use and get well aquainted with the gun before you head to the hills. Federal has some great ballistics and windage charts.
Really all of these guns will do the job. But you want to preserve the hide for your trophy. So maybe the high velocity 7mm might do you well. More likely to have a pass through with little or no damage. "Fingerholes" in & out.
Bottom line is use the gun you are most confident in. You don't want to just wound one and piss him off.

[Shawn Perkins]

yeah that 223 will work great