Winchester Wildcat 22

About the Winchester Wildcat 22

The Winchester Wildcat 22 is a lightweight polymer-chassis semi-automatic rimfire rifle introduced in 2019, chambered in .22 LR. Built around a striker-fired action rather than a traditional hammer, the Wildcat delivers a lighter, crisper trigger pull than most rimfire autoloaders. It feeds from a 10-round rotary magazine with metal feed lips, and critically, also accepts aftermarket Ruger 10/22 magazines, opening it to a vast aftermarket. The ambidextrous molded polymer stock features a reversible safety, dedicated slide-lock and bolt-release buttons, and a speed load/unload magazine system. Sights consist of a fully adjustable ghost-ring rear and a ramped-post front, while an integral Picatinny rail tops the receiver and a second rail sits under the forearm. A rear barrel cleaning access port allows breech-side cleaning without removing the action. At roughly four pounds, the Wildcat is a nimble plinker, trainer, and small-game rifle. The Wildcat SR and Sporter SR variants add a 1/2x28 TPI threaded muzzle for suppressor use.

Winchester broke with a century of lever- and bolt-action rimfire tradition when it designed the Wildcat from the ground up as a modern polymer striker-fired plinker, then made the contrarian decision to have it accept Ruger 10/22 magazines, the de facto standard of the rimfire world, ensuring buyers were never short of feed devices.

Winchester Wildcat 22 specifications

MSRP approximately $280-$330 depending on variant. Standard model ships with an 18-inch barrel (36.25 in overall, ~4 lb); the Sporter SR uses a 16.5-inch threaded barrel (34.75 in overall, ~4 lb 4 oz). Ruger 10/22 magazine compatibility is a major selling point. The chassis splits into upper and lower halves for cleaning. Twist rate is 1:16 inches (~406 mm).