Having owned a FX Wildcat in .22 for the past 1.5 years; I've always wanted one in .177 cal but have never been able to find one anywhere in the US. Not on various forums, retailer websites. On the AEAC review recently on the .25 version, I posed the question on availability of the .177
ddransoml shot me a pm saying that he just bought a .177 Wildcat from AoA. Well, that got me pretty excited since there is not an abundance of short, light, regulated, accurate .177s with a mid mount lever that is factory tuned at 20fpe, which is perfect for launching the 10-11gr .177 pellets. Multiple calls and emails finally revealed the existence of a .177 version and it was in stock (I asked to have them physically walk back and double check). Initial inquiries resulted in "no such thing in the US."
Well, it is finally here in my hands today so now I believe!
initial observations:
ddransoml shot me a pm saying that he just bought a .177 Wildcat from AoA. Well, that got me pretty excited since there is not an abundance of short, light, regulated, accurate .177s with a mid mount lever that is factory tuned at 20fpe, which is perfect for launching the 10-11gr .177 pellets. Multiple calls and emails finally revealed the existence of a .177 version and it was in stock (I asked to have them physically walk back and double check). Initial inquiries resulted in "no such thing in the US."
Well, it is finally here in my hands today so now I believe!
initial observations:
- same basic dimensions as .22 version
- 26 1/4" long naked
- 6lbs 3oz naked in synthetic soft touch with FX pic rail vice dovetail
- Very smooth and quiet operation. Markedly quieter than the .22 which has been my most stealthy gun and benchmark for quiet report and low mechanical noise.
- JSB 10.34gr @ 928 fps ((most accurate beyond 90yards so far) 19.8 fpe
- H&N Barracuda 10.65gr @ 908fps
- Crosman Premier Dome Heavy 10.5gr @ 910
- Predator Polymags 8gr fit fine in the mag and shoot at 1003 fps and are still somehow lazer accurate out to 50 yards so far despite shooting that hot. Single hole 8 shots at 35 yards. 8 for 8 on a 1.5 inch spinner at 50. Goes against conventional wisdom.
- incredibly easy to get set up and get shooting accurately right away. Quickly going from boxed, to set up, chrony'd, zero' d and shooting at 35, 50, 73, 82, and 98 yards (very light winds). No fuss, no muss - no aggravation.
- Pellets it does not like = JSB Monsters and Beasts - big unstable spirals at 75 yards
- FX pic rail for optic
- Atlas pic rail 3 inch for stock
- Hugget Belita is quiet and regular size is my new benchmark for stealth
- UTG medium pic rings
- SWFA 3-15x44mm Mil/Mil SFP scope
- BKL 12 way level