Winchester Wildcat .22LR or Remington Model Five .22LR: Experiences?

[Geno]

I was looking through the major manufacturers' websites to see what is new for 2006. I have noted that several companies are bringing back the .22LR in a way (extent) that I have not seen since I was a wee lad.

Now, while autoloaders are sweet, there is something about a bolt-action .22LR that lights up my spirit! Kimber's SVT is an extraordinary weapon, but they are HEAVY! They are "sand-baggers" to me. But for "squirlies and ragots" (as my daughter used to call them when she was 3) I really prefer something small and light. I noted the following 2 rifles, and they seem quite similar.

Winchester has the Wildcat Bolt Action .22:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=525&type_id=100&cat=018C

Remington has the Model Five:

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire_rifles/model_five.asp

Does anyone have experience with these. I did several searches and found no information posted here. I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Doc2005

 

[Jim Watson]

Check out the CZ 452 and 453 series. They are very popular in the rebirth of the .22 bolt action. I know of many around here that shoot from very well to amazing.

The Remington Model Five is made for them by Zastava in Serbia as was Yugoslavia. I have seen one imported by Charles Daly before Remington got in bed with another of our friends who used to be our enemies and it is not as nice a rifle as the CZ 452.

I don't know where Winchester is getting the Wildcat, but they are pretty cagy about it: "The Winchester Wildcat 22 is crafted from world-wide sourcing under the top quality specifications of Winchester." It is new in their catalog as they close down American production and I have not seen anything about it.

Check over at Rimfire Central and see what they know. When they get back on line, the boards are down this morning.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

 

[CB900F]

Doc;

You may wish to check out the Savage MKII .22 bolt gun. There are several options available that may make it your first choice. It can be had in both youth and adult versions. It also has left hand bolt available. It's easy to work on. Can be had as a single shot. It's American, although Savage did buy the design from Lakefield in Canada. Mags are cheap, under $10.00.

I had one & recently sold it to a friend who has a son who's left handed. I put a fair amount of my own work into it & enjoyed doing it. I was also rewarded with positive results for my labor. Nothing exotic or complicated was involved, just things like removing all the 'hair' left over from a fairly dull cutter doing the stock inletting, & a free float of the barrel, stuff like that.

You should be able to order one through Wally World for well under $150.00, though I'm not up on current pricing of them.

900F

 

[asknight]

Don't forget, Browning's bringing back the T-bolt also.

 

[travis301]

Have any links or specs on the T-Bolt? I have an original and was curious as to what the new ones would be.

 

[Jim Watson]

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=021B&cat_id=025&type_id=175

And there is some coverage on rimfire central.

The action looks the same as the original, but the stock and barrel are slimmed down, cataloged at less than 5 lbs. All new magazine of really strange design.

 

[mp510]

I have never seen the Wildcat before. Is that a new model or something?

 

[Geno]

Both are new models

Yesterday, I stopped at Bass Pro to see these rifles and was informed that they will be manufactured by spring, (say May).

The Browning t-bolt is a beauty, but a bit pricy. I specifically am interested in the inexpensive .22s.

Last week, I did see one of the Savage single-shot .22s at Jay's in Gaylord, MI, selling for $89.00!!! It was a very nice little rifle. Repeater versions were a mere $99.00!!! Wow.

Due to the amount of money involved, I would be hesitant to take a Kimber or the Browning into the brush. First or second trip I am sure would destroy the stock.

Thanks all,

Doc2005