Wildcat MKIII Sniper .25 - Performance & Accuracy (post-mods)

[yalel]

Yes Joe it is clear that it has cosmetic function only. I think I am one of the few that can live with that little gap

i will check if I can get a slight bit of material out of the way from that hidden regulator adjustment hole so my hex wrench ( with ball point as per your recommendation) can get in a bit easier ( couldn’t manage) . For getting the best balance ( did I say balance...) I have to have a bigger plenum and I want it extern. Hence the DL power plenum or the ER external plenum will get a permanent place in my WC3. I do need approximately 90 fps more speed in my current preferred setting so I expect this about to get from the added plenum alternatives. ( individual not coupled together) . I will first check ER solution and if that is not fine with me I will go the powerplenum DL route

 

[JoeKool]

I have since installed the 2.5” Wildcat plenum by Ernest Rowe. With no tuning adjustments & just the plenum install, I am reaching the posted 70 FPE. A.M.P. regulator still @ 135bar and on hammer tension wheel level # 7.

 

[wimpanzee]

Oh man, I have to hit 165bar or so to get that power level. Getting that at 135bar is really nice.

 

[yalel]

Oh man, I have to hit 165bar or so to get that power level. Getting that at 135bar is really nice.

Hi Wimpanzee, why don’t you install the bigger ( 2.5”) plenum in your sniper ? I believe from what I know that the bigger one does really fit the bill to achieve what Joe is having . Your smaller 1.2” plenum extension is the equivalent for the WC Compact . You have a VIP treatment by FX USA anyway so maybe they are willing to exchange the PP !

have a good weekend!

 

[steved192]

Hey JoeKool...with that 2.5" plenum shooting 33.95s at 960 fps for 70 fpe, what kind of accuracy are you getting? Also, what slugs are working best for you?

 

[Marco25]

JoeKool quick question did you take the orings off the barrel liner? Or Did you carbon fiber sleeve it. I don’t remember you saying.


thanks marco

 

[wimpanzee]

Oh man, I have to hit 165bar or so to get that power level. Getting that at 135bar is really nice.

Hi Wimpanzee, why don’t you install the bigger ( 2.5”) plenum in your sniper ? I believe from what I know that the bigger one does really fit the bill to achieve what Joe is having . Your smaller 1.2” plenum extension is the equivalent for the WC Compact . You have a VIP treatment by FX USA anyway so maybe they are willing to exchange the PP !

have a good weekend!

I'm pretty sure FX did more than just the plenum. I've ran it down to 135 bar regulator setting, and I can still only get 2 magazines from 250 bar. When I run at 165bar, I get just as many shots, almost more it seems. I think the hammer or something was changed, and it is now tuned to close the valve properly at a higher regulated pressure.

I'm honestly fine with 32 shots at 61fpe (currently shooting 38gr AVS slugs at 855fps). i have my dreamline for shooting kings pellets...

 

[yalel]

Oh man, I have to hit 165bar or so to get that power level. Getting that at 135bar is really nice.

Hi Wimpanzee, why don’t you install the bigger ( 2.5”) plenum in your sniper ? I believe from what I know that the bigger one does really fit the bill to achieve what Joe is having . Your smaller 1.2” plenum extension is the equivalent for the WC Compact . You have a VIP treatment by FX USA anyway so maybe they are willing to exchange the PP

!

have a good weekend!

I'm pretty sure FX did more than just the plenum. I've ran it down to 135 bar regulator setting, and I can still only get 2 magazines from 250 bar. When I run at 165bar, I get just as many shots, almost more it seems. I think the hammer or something was changed, and it is now tuned to close the valve properly at a higher regulated pressure.

I'm honestly fine with 32 shots at 61fpe (currently shooting 38gr AVS slugs at 855fps). i have my dreamline for shooting kings

pellets...

I do believe that 32 shots is very nice and if your sniper is now doing what you want it to do all is fine ! Every rifle is different but in the end it should perform how you want it to do when you invest that vast amount of money . In case you encounter the 2,5” Ernest Rowe PP you can still give it a try when time comes ...

have a nice day

Yalel

 

[JoeKool]

Hey JoeKool...with that 2.5" plenum shooting 33.95s at 960 fps for 70 fpe, what kind of accuracy are you getting? Also, what slugs are working best for you?

Accuracy is superb! I use Nielsen Specialty Ammo, 26.8g, 29.5g and 33.5g. The 33.5 g are my favorite for this gun.

JoeKool quick question did you take the orings off the barrel liner? Or Did you carbon fiber sleeve it. I don’t remember you saying.


thanks marco

The o-rings are still on the liner like FX installed from the factory.



Joe

 

[Cran]

I have had similar things happen to a few of my FX’s. Usually it is the pin on the cocking lever that starts to wiggle loose. Luckily I have never lost any and noticed it before it completely falls out and is gone forever.



What has worked for me a good epoxy covering on the pin and into the hole in which it inserts. Wiping off the excess. Then letting it cure completely before use. Fortunately this has worked and most of the time the problem was solved.



The home remedy of de-greasing parts and a spot of glue usually worked. Loctite on the pins never gave me much success, more designed for screw threads.



Good luck, & don’t lose those pins!



Joe

Got tired of effin with it! Field expedient combat repair! Works good, dont cost much, last a long time

 

[coastal drifter]

Hello AirgunNation Peoples,



Made a few changes to my new Wildcat Sniper MKIII in .25 caliber. Added plenum extensions, a larger transfer port, and re-tuned it for max power @ a 135 bar regulator setting.



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Found that it has decent performance & accuracy with Air Arms & JSB pellets and also is getting on well with Nielsen Specialty Ammunition slugs. The barrel liner is the FX STX Superior liner and is 700mm in length.



The Wildcat MKIII is power adjustable via a hammer spring tension adjustment wheel equipped with seven (1 through 7) selectable repeatable power settings. It also has a externally adjustable regulator which is accessed by removing the stock.



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Below are chronograph results of 5 individual pellets and slugs. Done after modifications and with the 135 bar tune. Velocities were shot from the MKIII over the chronograph on each HST wheel power setting (1 through 7) with each pellet or slug individually. So 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 results represent a different HST power setting.



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Any 1 through 7 HST power level can be selected and used at any time. From the chronograph information above the foot pound energies range from (lowest) 34fpe to (highest) 66fpe. These are the .25 caliber power settings that I find useful, but can all be raised or lowered with different regulator pressure set points and further HST fine tuning.



Accuracy has proven to be acceptable for the distances that I commonly take shots at game or on pests. 65 yards and closer are the usual distances when hunting that quarry present themselves in the thick wooded and brush-filled areas of Texas and Louisiana. It is reassuring that if presented with the opportunity the MKIII can confidently be used to take even further shots effectively.



Five-shot groups @ 50 and 100 yards with five different variations of lead, after the completion of all modifications. The Air Arms Diabolo Field 25.4 grain where shot on HST power level #3, and all other projectiles JSB King Heavy & Nielsen Specialty slugs were shot on HST power level #7.



Wind conditions.



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Not bad... What do you guys think?




Joe

looks like JSB and NSA33+ are the winners. Very nice groups.

 

[SilentSquirrel]

Very nicely done & presented
Thanks @coastal drifter

 

[coastal drifter]

Very nicely done & presented
Thanks @coastal drifter

much as I'd like to have been the one to put that review together....It wasnt me

 

[SilentSquirrel]

much as I'd like to have been the one to put that review together....It wasnt me

Oops!
Time to thank @Joe Kool