Winchester Wildcat .22 rifle?

[coshooter]

I'm looking for a .22 rifle for my kids and myself. We just plan to use it for target shooting, not hunting. Today I came across a Winchester Wildcat that seemed nice, but I've never seen one before, so I wanted to get some feedback before buying. We like bolt action rifles, so that's one major attraction. It's priced at $250, which includes a scope (another attraction even though I'm sure it's pretty cheap-o). Based on some preliminary research, I understand that it's Russian-made.

Anyway, I'm interested to hear what people have to say about this rifle. Thanks in advance.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I shot sporter benchrest against a couple of them. They seemed to be fairly accurate rifles.

 

[toivo]

The Winchester Wildcat is a slightly reworked TOZ-78.

http://www.tulatoz.ru/en/production/detail.php?ID=81

Winchester imported them for a few years. No personal experience with them myself, but they seemed to be popular in the rimfire forums.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I'm not knocking imports per se,,,

I'm not knocking imports per se,,,
But why buy something that's imported,,,
Over something based here in our own country.

I'm not being elitist here,,,
I'm more concerned with parts and warranty support.

If I were going to buy a bolt-action .22 rifle for fun with your kids,,,
I would probably look at Savage or Marlin rifles.

Unless there is some specific reason to like that particular rifle,,,
Buying something domestic will alleviate many possible problems.

Just a suggestion.

Aarond

.

 

[chicharrones]

I remember when those were being sold new in the local stores. The one I handled was very light and very trim feeling in the hands. It even came with 4 magazines, so you wouldn't have to hunt for more. I think the gun had the potential to be a great repeating bolt gun for young and old shooters.

For whatever reason, I ended up going with a pair of Zastava rimfire rifles back then and a CZ rimfire a couple years after that.

I don't know the parts support for that Russian built Winchester, but if you have more coin and like European rimfires a CZ will have great parts support.

 

[CB900F]

Coshooter;

Positive feedback is a wonderful thing. In the case of bolt .22lr rifles, that means acceptable accuracy. What we don't know is what's acceptable to you, or maybe more importantly, to your kids. Another thing we don't know is the physical stature of the kids, is the Wildcat going to fit them? If I remember correctly it's a full sized gun.

Therefore, I'll offer an alternative; the CZ Scout. It's a junior sized gun, but don't let that fool you, a very large and enthusiastic number of adult owners love the things. They are on the 452 CZ action and can be insanely accurate. The support is there from CZ-USA, and the cost for a new one is only slightly more than you're saying the Winnie is. The Scout's typically go for around $290.00 from several on-line sellers. No scope at that price, but if it's a real cheapie on the Wildcat, no great loss either.

900F

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Any CZ would get my vote over the Winchester.

 

[Ron James]

I've never owned one, but a very close friend did. He often stated that his only regret was that he did not keep it, put it in the back yard, pee on it every day just to watch it rust. I thing he was trying to say he didn't think much of it. Myself, don't know.

 

[CB900F]

Ron James;

May I presume he was talking about the Wildcat, not a CZ? Just wanting to cut down on any confusion about that.

900F

 

[Ron James]

He was indeed talking about the Wildcat. but like I said, second hand information from a friend.

 

[natman]

The reason they came with 4 magazines is that they had to be fitted by hand at the factory. It gives you some idea of the level of precision used to make the rifle. This interchangeable parts fad has been around for a few centuries now.

It's not Winchester's finest moment.

 

[Simon_Edmondson]

I bought one a few years back secondhand. It is a very light rifle and accurate, or let's say as accurate as my CZ452 that I spent a lot of time with. The second stage of the trigger is a little heavy (and none adjustable) but not too bad, besides, I consider anything above 2lbs 'heavy'.

It likes cheap bulk .22, particularly Win555. The bolt is a little agricultural, so it needs to be treated firmly, but not quite as roughly as you would a red headed step child

I use it as my guest gun and find most prefer it to the CZ due to weight. If its for your kids and they are not bench resting then I would say its better than the CZ for trigger time.

The 10 round mags don't like to be filled so I usually put in 8, but the 5rnd mags feed OK full.

For what I paid for it in Australian dollars I am happy with it.

 

[fotheringill]

If you go with the CZ Scout and your kids outgrow it, a simple purchase of a full sized stock may be had easily.

 

[chicharrones]

That's what I remember the most, Simon. The lack of weight. I think it is a full pound lighter than my daughter's Remington Model 5 youth sized rimfire. The Wildcat was a trim build being that it was a full length rifle.

I probably would have gotten the Wildcat for her, but the Remington (Zastava) was on clearance at "please buy me" pricing.
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/historic-detail.asp?family=018C&mid=525100

 

[jwn5811]

I'm looking for a .22 rifle for my kids and myself. We just plan to use it for target shooting, not hunting. Today I came across a Winchester Wildcat that seemed nice, but I've never seen one before, so I wanted to get some feedback before buying. We like bolt action rifles, so that's one major attraction. It's priced at $250, which includes a scope (another attraction even though I'm sure it's pretty cheap-o). Based on some preliminary research, I understand that it's Russian-made.

Anyway, I'm interested to hear what people have to say about this rifle. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I have one that is very nice. It is accurate, and fun to shoot. But as I am in California, it is difficult to get extra magazines. There are 5 shot and 10 shot available. Here I can not get the 10 round mags. I can only find 5 round.

Other than that it is a nice gun. I like the feel, and the weight is nice. not to heavy and not too light. mine has a different color finish on the wood stock. Which is nicely done with cross hatch carving in the Orange brown colored stock. That is what caught my attention the color. Very unique. CI have been told that they have a problem, in that they are sort of custom finished, meaning the parts do not always fit properly. I guess I was lucky as mine is well made and all parts fit well. Actually I did have a problem with one magazine the was scraping when I slide it into place. But a little emery paper and elbow grease fixed it well.

Any way good luck.

 

[jwn5811]

He was indeed talking about the Wildcat. but like I said, second hand information from a friend.

Sorry but Why would YOU report this info if you did not know personally.
I like mine a lot..... It is a back up gun for me and just for plinking. So I will not say it is my first choice but only because I have better guns. There is nothing wrong with this one. Unless he got one of those lemons...