05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Outside Front Cover Licensee Winchester ® Wildcat ® Bolt-Action Rifle Owner’s Manual
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 1 - Beginning of Interior pages GUN SAFETY WARNINGS or someone else. When you are ready to shoot and a cartridge is chambered, keep the safety on until shooting is imminent. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS BE THOROUGHLY STUDIED BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM TO ASSURE PROPER AND SAFE GUN HANDLING.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 2 8. Keep the barrel, chamber and action free of rust. Rust in the barrel and chamber can cause excessive pressures resulting in serious injury. A rusted, pitted or eroded barrel should be replaced. 15. Hunting from elevated surfaces, such as tree stands, is dangerous. Doing so may increase the risk of handling any firearm. Always make certain that the stand being used is safe, sturdy and stable.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 Cocking Indicator 11:28 AM Action Page 3 Ejection Port Bolt FIGURE 1 Rear Sight Front Sight Bolt Handle Barrel Trigger Magazine Release Safety Muzzle Fore-end Magazine Butt Plate Buttstock Trigger Guard IMPORTANT: ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION REFERENCED BY THE INSCRIPTION ON THE BARREL.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 4 The Wildcat’s cocking indicator is easily seen, or felt by the thumb, letting you know the status of your rifle’s firing pin. The receiver is grooved to accept scope mounts. Non-adjustable, two-stage trigger. The safety lever and magazine release are conveniently located and easily operated with the index finger.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 5 FIGURE 2 The muzzle is target crowned to maintain accuracy. The rear sight folds down for use with a scope. The hardwood stock features bordered cut checkering, steel swivel studs, comfortable dimensions and a signature Schnabel fore-end. 10-round and 5-round magazines are included. Their slim, reliable design keeps the dimensions of the rifle narrow.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 6 SERIAL NUMBER Do not shoot 22 Short or 22 Long ammunition, blanks or bird shot cartridges. Always read the ammunition label and any enclosures with the ammunition to assure that the ammunition is appropriate or that there is no restriction for its use with your firearm.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 7 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 3 Safety in the “on safe” position. Safety in the “off safe” position. Never rely totally on your firearm’s safety. It is merely an aid to safe gun handling. Like any mechanical device the safety can possibly fail; it can be bumped off or inadvertently manipulated into an unsafe condition. At all times, keep the safety in the “on safe” position and the barrel pointed in a safe direction.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 8 IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE FEEL, LOOK AND OPERATION OF THE SAFETY ON THIS RIFLE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD IT AND SHOOT. of the bolt securely. Grasp the bolt handle with your right hand and rotate the bolt handle counterclockwise until the bolt handle is inline with the protrusion on the bolt cap. INSTALLING/REMOVING THE BOLT IMPORTANT: FULLY UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 Firing Pin Cocking Indicator 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 9 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 Two types of magazines are included: 10-round (left) and 5-round (right). Cocked COCKING INDICATOR LOADING When the firing pin is cocked, an indicator is visible at the rear of the bolt (Figure 5). If the indicator is protruding from the bolt sleeve a minimum of 1⁄8", the firing pin is cocked.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Press down on the magazine release button. Page 10 FIGURE 7 Press cartridges down and to the rear of the magazine. 2. Insert the cartridges base first into the magazine and slide them all the way to the rear, so the bases are flush with the rear of the magazine (Figure 8). If the nose of a cartridge protrudes beyond the front of the magazine, it could cause feeding problems or interfere with the insertion of the magazine into the rifle.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 11 SINGLE SHOT LOADING AND FIRING — 2. With a cartridge in the chamber, you need only move the safety to the “off safe” position to make the rifle ready for firing. DO NOT MOVE THE “SAFETY” TO THE “OFF SAFE” POSITION UNTIL SHOOTING IS IMMINENT. If you wish to use your Wildcat as a single-shot rifle, as when teaching a newcomer to the sport how to shoot, it is recommended that you use the following single-shot loading procedure. 3.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 12 VISUALLY INSPECT THE CHAMBER TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE A LIVE CARTRIDGE IS NOT PRESENT. Winchester Rifles and Shotguns Authorized Repair Center (ARC) (page 19). 3. With the magazine removed and the chamber empty, the bolt may be closed.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Loosen the two screws and raise or lower the blade. Page 13 FIGURE 9 Gently tap the sight base to adjust windage. FIGURE 10 make your rifle shoot lower is just the opposite — move the sight blade down. Remember: sight base to the left is just as easily done. Note how much you adjust the sight as you sight-in your rifle. Remember: • Move the blade up to shoot higher. • Move the rear sight to the right to shoot farther to the right on the target.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 14 the rear sight base. When adjusting the front sight you get the opposite results: CHAMBER, ACTION/FEED AREAS AND THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED. • Move the front sight blade to the right to shoot more to the left. You should clean your Wildcat after every day of shooting and more often if it becomes excessively dirty. • Move the front sight blade to the left to shoot more to the right. A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the action and oiling key parts.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 15 the barrel at the receiver end and run it back and forth several times. NOTE: Use a crown protector if you are cleaning from the muzzle end of the barrel. Damage to the crown of a barrel can affect the accuracy of your rifle. rifle has been exposed to weather or handling. This is very important and must be done with every firearm. Remember, the fitted surfaces of the receiver and action mechanisms must always have a thin film of oil.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 16 FIGURE 11 FIGURE 12 The firing pin is inserted into the bolt in this orientation with the cocking indicator angling up. Bolt Cocking Element Retainer Thrust Washer Bolt Handle Guide Lug Cocking Element Firing Pin Cocking Indicator Bolt Handle Sleeve Bolt End Cap NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR WILDCAT RIFLE APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 17 FIGURE 13 The cocking element must be in the second detent. FIGURE 14 Align the protrusion on the bolt cap with the cocking element. Second Detent Cocking Element First Detent Bolt Cap Protrusion perform cleaning and lubrication. A light coat of oil or grease on the bolt, including the bolt lug and guide rails is all that is necessary to lubricate the bolt. Do not disassemble the bolt beyond what is shown in Figure 11. 2.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 18 3. Place the bolt cap over the end of the bolt, so that the protrusion is aligned with the cocking element (Figure 14). Hold the bolt securely and push in on the bolt cap while rotating it clockwise approximately 80°. The magazine is shown disassembled for cleaning. 4. With your left hand, grasp the front of the bolt securely.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 19 MAGAZINE REASSEMBLY — Arnold, Missouri. A list of Authorized Service Centers was included with your new firearm. If you need a new listing, contact us. We can help you determine the best place to service your firearm. 1. Insert the follower with the rounded edge to the front of the magazine. 2. Insert the spring assembly.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Page 20 WEB SITE INFORMATION PARTS, SERVICE, REPAIR STATUS AND TECHNICAL QUESTIONS — Winchester Rifles and Shotguns offers you an information resource on the World Wide Web. Winchester Rifles and Shotguns Parts & Service 3005 Arnold Tenbrook Road Arnold, MO 63010-9406 (800) 322-4626 (toll free) • List of authorized repair centers. • Customer Service information. GENERAL PRODUCT AND HISTORICAL QUESTIONS — • Firearm Service/Repair Form.
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Inside Front Cover Important instructions for the Contents Page Gun Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Winchester® Wildcat® Bolt-Action Rifle General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 General Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Terminology and Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Serial Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Inside Back Cover NOTES 21
05-572-WFA_OM Wildcat 6 3/21/06 11:28 AM Outside Back Cover Licensee Licensee Winchester Rifles and Shotguns 275 Winchester Avenue Morgan, UT, U.S.A. 84050-9333 www.winchesterguns.com Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation.
