Help me choose, Wildcat or Bobcat?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
C

Cliff_Allen

Member
Jul 14, 2015
625
35
maine, United States
I've got the itch to get one of these in .25. The gun will mostly be used for bench/target shooting, no hunting really.

I guess what I'm asking is your opinion on the differences between the two platforms. I feel like it's extra weight might give the Bobcat some advantage in the long range category but if not, I'd likely enjoy the lesser weight of the Wildcat. What advantage does having the second gauge on the new Bobcat MKII offer? I like the forward lever on the Wildcat better than the rear mounted on the Bobcat. Are there any known problems being reported from the early adapters of the Wildcat that I haven't seen? Do they have the same regulators and if not is one superior to the other? I feel comfortable with the proven platform of the Royale that is in the Bobcat but do I really need to fear the Wildcat being an inferior platform? For some reason I can't shake the feeling that I'm giving up something other than the power wheel with the lesser cost of the Wildcat. If I am giving something up, is it something that I need to care about? And the most important question.......at the end of the day are they both just going to be as equally accurate or not? These are some of the things that I think about. 

Any and all opinions are welcome and greatly appreciated!!

Best wishes,
Cliff

MOD EDIT: MOVED TO PCP
 
If you are mostly going to bench rest it, why a bullpup? I'm pretty sure there are equally accurate airguns where you don't pay extra for the space saving form factor, or equally priced guns that may be more accurate...

Edit: On second thought, never mind. I read about Bobcats winning BR matches, so regardless of form factor they are accurate enough to win. Doesn't matter if they are bullpup or not then, right?
 
Upvote 0
I think you have a pretty valid point there that the Wildcat is a hunters dream and I don't really do any hunting at all. I liked the idea of lighter weight of course, but it's not that important for my application. It's sounding likely that the Bobcat would be better for me. I'm not likely going to be participating in any formal bench rest competitions but I do still want it to be accurate out to 100 yards and possibly a bit further. Thank you everyone, it's great to read your opinions and hear points that I would not have considered on my own. Keep 'em coming! 

Regards,
Cliff
 
Upvote 0
The lightweight of my wildcat amplifies any extra movement of my breathing, heartrate, and anything else that shakes my gun around. Bullpups in general (at least for the wildcat and possibly the bobcat) aren't really meant for benchrest shooting. The benefits of most bullpups are the ability to store the action or firing point back near the stock allowing the same barrel length as a standard rifle in a smaller overall package. This gives the user a lighter rifle which is better in situations for long treks and hikes over unknown terrains. Now don't get me wrong both the wildcat and bobcat will be accurate at 100 yards and farther. Its just that if your just shooting from your bench and your price point is already around the bobcat level(1799$+tax+shipping for .30), I suggest you get a FX boss in .30 caliber. Another thing that would allow you to reach farther is getting a caliber higher than .25. It will retain more kinetic energy and therefore be less prone to the wind. Now to list some pros about the bobcat: it has a adjustable power which will extend your number of shots and manage your FPE, is a heavier gun(i think) which will give you more leeway on shakes, heartbeat, and breathing, Ajustable cheekrest(I think), Bobcat has a 470 cc air Reservoir in .25 and .30 cal!!! MOAR SHOTS!

I own a Wildcat and these are some of the problems that i run into or things i don't like:
  • Ultra hard to clean because of small breach and baffles get in the way(guess I need a straw)
  • Magazine will pop out if you Load next pellet too aggressively or quickly
  • Lack of a adjustable cheekrest
  • Easily dryfireable or you don't know when your down to your last pellet
  • Me and others have had Safety issues, my gun's safety increases resistance on trigger but will still fire
  • I don't like how the wildcat in .25 caliber only has a 300 cc cylinder :( 40 shots basically-
Anyways another thing to note, is the wildcat was built on the basis of what people wanted to change in the bobcat (not necessarily true but i heard someone important say it!) so they improved it by moving the bolt further up where someones arm can easily load the next pellet, made it a "true" bullpup, and made it lighter. I personally think that the bobcat was a rushed prototype by FX to satisfy the American market that wanted a bullpup model for FX guns. 

All of my opinions are just some things I thought about through my ownership of the wildcat. Much of it is debatable or completely incorrect, please feel free to correct me if im wrong!

---just my two cents
Michael

P.S: If your poor like me, get the wildcat for a bullpup with a killer price point(1299$).

 
Upvote 0
I would genuinely like to try another Cricket. The Cricket rifle I had in .25 couldn't put two pellets in the same whole to save it's life and the retailer couldn't figure out the problem and after a long drawn out saga of frustration they ended up refunding me. I really feel like I just had a bad one and want to try another one but don't want to take the chance again. I wish someone close to me had one I could try out. It's a shame because there was a lot about the gun that I liked and correct me if I'm wrong but don't they use the same barrels as BSA? My BSA R-10 is super accurate. I wasn't a fan of the wood stock, it just didn't seem very well finished or something, but that's not a deal breaker for me. The trigger was pretty sweet, it had been tuned by Ernest Rowe. I really liked the fill system that was in the gun, especially how it had it's own regulator so you couldn't fill it too fast or too much. The magazine system was a little hinky but functioned fine none the less and at the end of the day I would have been fine with it. Anyway, just saying I'd like to try another one some day, they have such a loyal following and I have a feeling it's for a good reason. 

I'd also really like to try a Daystate Wolverine B hi-lite. That's such a sexy gun. I know it has it's own proprietary system to compensate for not having a regulator but the lack of a regulator is a mental sticking point for me and I think it will be until I get some actual hands on time with one to try it for myself. Love hearing the suggestions from everyone though, you never know when a new idea from someone else might grow into something more. 

Regards,
Cliff
 
Upvote 0
Cliff,

What type of rest will you be shooting from? I have an MTM Predator and Caldwell Tackdriver Bag and I had a hell of a difficult time shooting both my .30 Bobcat and .25 Wildcat from them. Fukochan bought my Wildcat and he is spot on with regards to how every little input is exaggerated making it a bitch to keep from pulling at the last moment. Anyway, the Wolverine B Hi-Lite is a super sweet and accurate rifle. Of every DayState I have owned, non was as accurate as the B Hi-Lite. I believe I saw a Wolverine B Hi Lite Supergrade Limited edition posted on one of the airgun classifieds yesterday. That is a hell of a nice rifle if you can get it for under $2000. Another rifle to consider is the RAW TM1000 or HM1000X. 

Regards,
Scott

PS - If you are hung up on a regulator, consider the HUMA inline regulator which connects between your fill tank and rifle. Alternatively, you could buy a 90ci Ninja Tanks and Fill assembly which you could tether to your rifle and provide a consistent 2900 psi air supply to the rifle.

Scott
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu