Winchester new .22 LR Wildcat Rifle.

[whm1974]

So I was at Domino's getting carry out pizza and while I was waiting I read an article watched a video on my phone about a new .22 rifle from Winchester.

At first I thought Winchester is release a new .22 Rimfire cartridge designed for semi autos but going at 1300 fps... On close look, nope... Just higher pressure loading of the bog standard .22 LR....
https://www.winchesterguns.com/prod...2/Wildcat-22-Current-Products/wildcat-22.html

 

[troy fairweather]

Made in Turkey

 

[LiveLife]

For around $100 more, consider Thompson Center T/CR22 (Made in USA), essentially accurized 10/22 with Magpul stock compatible with 10/22 magazines - https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/109827

Accuracy around 1/2 inch 10 shot group at 25 yards with Aguila 40 gr LRN -.https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...mmo-comparison-break-in.864241/#post-11405528

Here's a T/CR22 review by Jerry Miculek

T/CR22 50/100 yard accuracy (Target group review starts at 5:00 minute)

 

[DocRock]

Someone recently did a good review here of the Wildcat. Lots of fiddly plastic parts. Not impressed.

@LiveLife gives good advice above.

 

[sparkyv]

Been out for around 9months...hadn't read much about it in the forums. Does anybody even have one?

 

[Odd Job]

Maxxhavoc, one of our members bought one. See here:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-wildcat-22-impressions.870305/#post-11544158

 

[tubeshooter]

Those older .22 rifles on the used rack are looking better and better all the time...

 

[somethingbenign]

I held a wildcat at the store a couple weeks back and the whole thing just felt cheap. Super light and if I was looking for a rifle to toss in a work truck just in case a rodent popped up on the family farm it would probably fit the bill. As a rifle I actually want to keep nice and care about I went with a TCR22 as suggested above.

 

[whm1974]

Man I really was thinking that Winchester was introducing a new .22 Cal rimfire cartridge. Well that was the way the article I was reading on my cell phone sounded like...

 

[somethingbenign]

Man I really was thinking that Winchester was introducing a new .22 Cal rimfire cartridge. Well that was the way the article I was reading on my cell phone sounded like...

Now that you mention it don't they have a wildcat line of rimfire ammo too? Maybe they released them in tandem?

 

[Varminterror]

Now that you mention it don't they have a wildcat line of rimfire ammo too? Maybe they released them in tandem?

Winchester Wildcat ammo has been around a long, long time. I recall buying it as far back as when I was a kid (not so long ago) at the gas station in town in the late 80’s and finding even older boxes of it shoved in the back of my grandpa’s safe, I would have guessed 15-20+ years old at the time. It has been a common motif of their factory ammo for a long time.

That’s why Winchester used the “Wildcat” moniker for their new cheap ass rifle - as with all of their current products, they’re capitalizing upon old brand & model names to profit on their legacy, playing a shell game with the Winchester “companies”.

ETA: a quick google search reveals the Wildcat ammo was released in 1971.

 

[whm1974]

Winchester Wildcat ammo has been around a long, long time. I recall buying it as far back as when I was a kid (not so long ago) at the gas station in town in the late 80’s and finding even older boxes of it shoved in the back of my grandpa’s safe, I would have guessed 15-20+ years old at the time. It has been a common motif of their factory ammo for a long time.

That’s why Winchester used the “Wildcat” moniker for their new cheap ass rifle - as with all of their current products, they’re capitalizing upon old brand & model names to profit on their legacy, playing a shell game with the Winchester “companies”.

ETA: a quick google search reveals the Wildcat ammo was released in 1971.

Strange but I never seen or heard of the Winchester Wildcat ammo line, but I maybe I just don't remember the line...

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve never seen it widely advertised, and even the on-package marketing was pretty subtle in various eras. I recall buying the two white box models - the older white print when I was a kid, and the more modern print even in very recent years, and recall the blue in my Grandpa’s inventory, so anecdotally, that’s how I infer the chronology of these particular packages.

I don’t recall it ever shooting supremely well, and I have never shot it frequently, but it’s been a common motif for them. In many years when big bulk packs of other brands were available, these were only available as 50 round boxes locally, so they were naturally an unfavorable choice.

 

[Walkalong]

That pic on the bottom is what we shot as teenagers.

 

[whm1974]

Well thanks...Come to think of it, I do want some weight to any firearms I own if just only to make it easier to hold the weapons steady when I shoot them...

 

[cdb1]

Whenever I see a picture of a Wildcat 22 I think of an non-takedown AR-7.

The Wildcat does have some nice features. I like the ability to insert a cleaning rod from the rear of the barrel. I also really like that it takes 10/22 magazines. I like the price. The fact that it’s manufactured in Turkey is not a negative to me. The rifle feeling flimsy is countered by the fact FN products are high quality as a rule.

I don’t own one but if I were in the market for a semi-auto .22 I’d consider the Wildcat, especially since CZ discontinued the 512 in .22 LR.