(far better than the Wildcat)
What was it you didn't like about your Wildcat?
meant no special offense by that
see post #7, ask "winchester", not me, friend
22 rimfires for less than 4 figures $$$$
"luck of the draw" is always a factor, moreso especially for anything "economical"
your's might just be exceptional , would not doubt it, been there, done that myself
owned a no name import bolt 22 that shot tighter groups than 2 of 4 Brownings I own
still have and enjoy all 4 Brownings, and grandson now has and enjoys the "no name"
but not inclined to tell OP to go find the same make/model as my grandson now owns
real inclined to suggest something in "same price range implied" that has already sold more than a few million copies for several decades, and still in production with same label on barrel, before I would recommend something that the "name'" did not have enough faith to stay the course with
if ALL Wildcats shot like your's does, at that price, mebbe "winchester" would still be selling 'em
if all 10/22s shot like some/many do shoot, mebbe folks wouldn't buy 'em and spend twice that purchase price rebuilding them to shoot like they really can shoot, real deal match grade target stuff
guys who are looking for <$200 22 rifles that can hit real well for squirrel hunting ask questions about <$200 rimfire rifles
lots of folks have offered <$200 rimfires for sale
ain't nobody selling $200 22 rifles going to put Annie/Cooper/Browning/Remington/CZ/Ruger/Marlin out of the 22 rifle business anytime soon... extreme few have an
established track record like Marlin & Savage in
that price range... and "Wildcat" is not one of the few that do
did not recommend a Chipmunk or Crickett boltie to the guy, but do own both (for l'il guy/ & gal) and they
will kill a tree squirrel at 25 yards real easy.. for easy <$200
did not recommend a NEF break open either, easy <$200, and amongst the Rodney Dangerfield's of rifles, but a good contender re: "bang for your buck"...but not in bolties
me, I looked at the Winchester Wildcat, I looked at the Remington Spartan's.. shucks, I look at a lot of stuff, and (mostly) want it all
and happy for anybody with X, Y, or Z that hits, happier still if hits really tight for 'em
couldn't care less "where made" either
but any friend of family who asked me, "What is a good 22 bolt action rifle for $200 or less", me, I would say (no matter what prestige name is stamped on the barrel)... Marlin... Savage
but a couple of million more sales from now, I might say "wildcat/tula" instead
I just wished they had imported more of that cheapo no name easy <$100 boltie 22 I bought over 20 years ago, because all 3 of my grandsons would own one now !