A 2 1/2 inch dia deer stop should not be a problem. I can assure you no wolf will last long if if a snare is tightened to that point. I am guessing White17 and Boco are reading a 8" dia. What I read is 8" from the loop end of the cable, which will give you a 2 1/2 inch dia.

Coyotes are dead with them if the snare is designed and set correctly. You can use mini deer stops with no rough edges as well.

I'd contact Newt at www.snareone.com and have him custom build you some snares to your specs. He's a top notch snare builder.

Snaring wolfs will be a challenge but that's why it interests me. Snaring has not been legal here long. Last year there was one wolf caught in a snare. Maybe the only one ever since new wolf trapping has been allowed.

I know one trapper in Montana who snared two last year, and I'm sure that he isn't the only trapper in Montana who snared wolves last year. Unless you are talking only in your small local area?

Deer stop shouldn't be a problem, the snares I make for wolves I actually put the deer stop out farther. I would have to measure one, I haven't made any in a couple years, but I want to say I have them out at almost 11 inches. different locks can cause a big difference in how fast they go down and waterhead. But some wolves simply won't fight a snare and sit there like a dog on a leash. I don't do very much snaring, but I've had one wolf alive in my snares, it was standing there chewing on my snare when I got there, and it wasn't even cinched down on his neck. After he was dispatched I discovered he was already wearing someone else's snare that was chewed off. 18 inches is the standard suggested height for wolves, but is higher than optimal in a lot of conditions and terrain, in my opinion. You will want to have your snares where they are traveling with their head up at that height.

Coyotes are dead with them if the snare is designed and set correctly. You can use mini deer stops with no rough edges as well.

I'd contact Newt at www.snareone.com and have him custom build you some snares to your specs. He's a top notch snare builder.

Over the years I have had far better luck snaring wolves than trapping them. It seems way more efficient and not nearly as susceptible to snow.

The rule of thumb is bottom of the loop knee-high......which is about 21 inches on me. So 18 Inches should be fine

The wolfs I have seen in snares .Closes the snare loop to 4" di. when tight around the wolfs neck.
Are kill springs legal to use ? in MT.
I now make a kill spring which is 3 1/4" long while gives more killing power to the snare .Most kill springs are only a 2" or less.
Another thing to think about is the length of your wolf snares. The wolf needs at least a 10" run to "set" the spring.
I like a snare that is at least 144" in length