Winchester Wildcat: A Better 10/22?

Recently my wife and I enrolled our son Aaron in 4H Shooting Sports. At the first meeting we got a safety briefing, rules and regulations and information on the type of .22 rifles we could shoot in the upcoming matches.

Aaron has been shooting since he was about 6. A few years later, we got him a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 topped with a red dot sight. However, the 4H rules don’t allow red dots or firearms with pistol grips in the matches, so I started searching the safe for something he could use. The first option we tried was my dad’s old Marlin.

The rifle was a little unwieldy for him, especially in the standing position. The next option was the shorter and lighter Ruger 10/22 takedown I purchased a few years back. We rushed to get a scope put on and sighted in before the next practice while at the same time I started searching a lighter option.

That is when I wandered upon the Winchester Wildcat. They offer the rifle with both a synthetic or wood stock and with a standard 18″ or 16″ threaded barrel. The synthetic models weigh in at an incredible 4lbs and the wood stock at 4.4lbs. Most models come with peep sights, but they also offer a reflex sight and scoped combo package.

When the next practice rolled around we took both the scoped 10/22 and the new 16″ synthetic stock Wildcat with peep sights. Aaron quickly decided he liked the Wildcat much more. Not only did the light weight make it easier for him to handle, but the magazine release and the bolt lockback feature were definite improvements over the standard 10/22. The integrated picatinny rail and the ability to accept standard 10/22 magazines were features that I appreciated.

The Wildcat will likely never eclipse the popularity of the 10/22, but it is a rifle that truly improves on a classic. If you are On The Hunt for a rifle for a youngster or just something fun to add to your collection, at under $300, the Wildcat is worth a look.