In 2019, Winchester introduced the Wildcat, and it was immediately apparent that this rifle was well thought-out and creatively designed. At the heart of this rifle is a robust and reliable blowback operation system that effectively loads and fires a wide variety of rimfire loads. This process is more complicated than one might imagine. Rimfire ammunition varies in velocities and pressures, so for an action to effectively cycle everything from subsonic target loads to hot hunting rounds is a challenge. Not all rifles will do this, but the Wildcat can.

Magazine design is critical for reliable .22 function, and Winchester’s rotary magazine is among the best. The speed load/unload feature allows shooters to relieve magazine spring pressure, and since the Wildcat functions with aftermarket 10/22 magazines, there are lots of options. The ambidextrous magazine release is easy to locate and operate.

This rifle offers a variety of clever design details that make it among the best .22 autoloaders on the market. A long list of features set this rifle apart, but without question, my favorite is the push-button removable lower receiver. Thoroughly cleaning a semiauto rimfire can sometimes be a pain, but this design makes maintenance simple.

The included adjustable ghost ring rear sight and ramped post front sight provide reliable sighting, while the integral Picatinny rail simplifies the mounting of optics. The front sling stud is molded into the included Picatinny rail on the forearm, a great feature if you’d like to mount a bipod on your rifle.

Winchester has made the Wildcat a safe, fun-to-shoot rifle that’s also easy to maintain. The slide lock button is located at the front of the trigger guard, so it’s easy to find and operate, and the bolt release button (also bright red) is located on the left side of the receiver, where it’s easy to access.

The rotary magazine snaps in place with an audible click that guarantees proper seating. My favorite part of the design is that it’s easy to quickly remove the magazine from either side by pulling rearward on the ambidextrous release. Speaking of ambidextrous design, the safety is reversible to accommodate left- and right-handed shooters.

Though not as apparent as the bright red controls, there’s one subtle feature many shooters may not immediately notice when they pick up the Wildcat. Instead of the hammer-fired action that is so popular with other .22 rifles, Winchester uses a striker-fired action like a bolt-action centerfire rifle. The result is a much faster lock time and a smoother, crisper trigger pull. You may not immediately see the difference between Winchester’s striker-fired design and the more traditional hammer-fired system on other rimfires, but you’ll feel the difference every time you press the Wildcat’s trigger.

The Wildcat weighs in at just four pounds and carries a starting MSRP of just $279. There’s also a SR (Suppressor Ready) model with a threaded muzzle for $299 and a wood-stocked Sporter version for $359. There are also optic-installed versions and various color/finish options, but regardless of which Wildcat you choose, you’ll get a reliable .22 rimfire with many modern features.