Winchester Xpert

Many shooters begin their career with a bolt-action .22 rimfire, and there’s no better gun with which to start with than Winchester’s fantastic Xpert. Like the autoloading Wildcat and lever-action Ranger, the Xpert is named in honor of iconic Winchester ammunition. But the Xpert isn’t clinging to nostalgia to sell these sleek rifles. This bolt-action .22 is a well-equipped, accurate rimfire rifle with outstanding value.

The story begins with the Bentz chamber, which is favored for its minimal tolerances and match-grade accuracy potential. Pairing that with a premium button-rifled chrome-moly steel barrel with a target crown and Winchester’s Rimfire M.O.A. Trigger, you can understand why this rifle is so accurate. I tested the Xpert in .22 and found that the trigger pull was right at four pounds with no creep, overtravel, or take-up.

Though it’s just a few years old, the Xpert is available in a variety of configurations. The most basic version includes a gray injection-molded stock with a 10-round rotary magazine with last-round bolt hold open feature. 22 LR models are also compatible with plentiful 10/22 magazines. The base model is also available in a SR version with a ½ x 28 threaded muzzle that allows you to easily attach a suppressor or other muzzle device to this rifle. There’s also a Sporter model with a wood stock and Thumbhole Target models with laminate stocks and adjustable combs, so there’s an Xpert configuration that fits your needs.

The Xpert in .22 LR is an excellent choice for plinking and small game hunting, but other rimfire chambering options exist. Rimfire Magnum versions of the Xpert rifle are available in .17 HMR, .17 WSM, and .22 WMR. The Xpert is also available in the new 21 Sharp cartridge that Winchester introduced this year. Utilizing a .210-inch bullet, the 21 Sharp projectiles don’t require the “heel” used in standard .22 LR bullets, allowing for more flexibility in bullet design.

Unlike .22 LR, 21 Sharp ammunition can be loaded with lead-free copper-jacketed bullets, making it legal for hunting and shooting in jurisdictions that don’t allow lead ammunition.

The 4.5-pound standard weight is lightweight and well-balanced, enabling users to maintain a steady, accurate aim.

Many Xpert models (including the base version) come with adjustable iron sights, and although they are basic, these sights are functional and easy to adjust. If you prefer a scope, you can mount one to the precision machined steel receiver that is drilled and tapped for optics mounts. To simplify the process, some Xpert models come packaged with a pre-mounted 2-7x32 Vortex scope. The Thumbhole Target and Magnum models have an optic rails and bases and do not include open sights.

The Rimfire M.O.A. Trigger is extremely crisp thanks to a three-lever design. It’s similar in concept to the trigger design used in the flagship Model 70 rifle, and it’s both safe and shooter friendly. The first .22 I had was a single-shot rifle, which had the worst trigger I’ve ever shot. The Xpert is the other end of the spectrum — a rimfire trigger that feels like it belongs to a premium bolt-action hunting rifle.

Xperts with a polymer stock are rugged enough to withstand years of field use, and the controls are easy to operate. I especially love the oversized bolt handle which is larger than some competing .22 bolt knobs. The two-position safety is also easy to access, and the 10-round magazines run without hiccups. It’s also very convenient that these rifles can utilize 10/22 mags available in every gun store in the country.

Whether you choose the $329 base model or something fancier, you can be assured that the Xpert rifle line offers exceptional accuracy and unfailing reliability at a price lower than its rivals. If you’re in the rimfire rifle market, make the wise decision and go with the Xpert.