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The Winchester Wildcat is one of those rifles that makes you remember why the .22 LR is so much fun. Light and simple to run, it is excellent for plinking and small-game work. It is also great for teaching new shooters. Winchester created the Wildcat with a modern design and practical features. The result is a rimfire that punches well above its price tag.
A Modern 22 Solution – The Winchester Wildcat
The Wildcat is light and easy to maneuver. The stock features good texturing, and its overall shape is neutral enough to accommodate a wide range of shooters. The balance sits just forward of the receiver, which helps the gun settle on target without feeling nose-heavy.
The cross-bolt safety is familiar, the charging handle is easy to grab, and the magazine release is intuitive. The ten-round rotary magazine feeds smoothly, and the rifle accepts many Ruger 10/22-pattern mags, which is a big win if you already have a drawer full of them. The bolt locks open on an empty magazine, which is a small detail that makes reloads and general manipulations easier.
Tool-less Takedown
Where the Wildcat sets itself apart is in its tool-less takedown. Press a button at the rear of the receiver, and the lower assembly drops free, bringing the trigger group and bolt out with it. Cleaning a rimfire can be a chore, but this design makes it quick to wipe carbon off the bolt, clean the chamber, and get back to shooting. You also avoid chasing tiny screws and pins across the workbench. Some models incorporate a small multi-tool into the stock, which is handy for sight adjustments and general maintenance.
Several Wildcat models ship with a ghost ring rear and a bright front bead that picks up well in daylight. If your eyes prefer glass, there is a top rail ready for a red dot or compact scope. A simple 2-7x rimfire optic transforms the rifle into a highly capable small-game rig, while a dot reticle keeps things fast for steel plates and reactive targets.
Reliability
Reliability with .22 LR can be a moving target, but the Wildcat runs well with standard high-velocity loads and stays happy as long as you keep the chamber reasonably clean. The easy takedown is handy in this regard. A quick wipe of the bolt face and extractor after a couple of bricks of ammo keeps the show rolling. If you want to dip into quiet territory, there are threaded versions that host a rimfire suppressor nicely. Paired with subsonic ammunition, it becomes backyard-friendly where legal and is an excellent tool for pest control.
The Winchester Wildcat
Winchester is offering 31 different models to choose from. They offer everything from basic black polymer for durability, camo for the woods, and sporter-style models with a classic look. The Winchester Wildcat nails the core of what makes a .22 worth owning. It is light, easy to run, and set up to shoot more and fuss less. If your gun safe needs a do-everything rimfire that keeps things simple, the Wildcat belongs on your short list.
For more information, visit Winchester.
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