FX Impact vs FX Wildcat

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datornic

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Feb 22, 2020
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I don't own an Impact or Wildcat Mark 3 but I'd like to hear from pros on this site, if you can afford to buy only one, would you buy an Impact or a Wildcat?
Looks like the Mark 3 generation evened the playfield as far as power...I'd like to shoot mid to long-range, and it seems like both guns can do long shots with .22 slugs 34 or 40 grain,

Also don't want to tinker with the gun every week...I'd just like to shoot it, not constantly make adjustments...which one will hold the settings and the accuracy better?

Finally, if you know anyone who wants to sell a Mark 3 pls ask him to contact me at [email protected]

Thank you!
 
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You can be happy with either gun.
The Wildcat Mark 3 is basically a Maverick in a different stock Some people prefer the Wildcat stock. I have a Maverick and do not see enough advantage to switch to a Wildcat. YMV.
My M3 Impact is a whole different gun. The shot experience is different, smoother quieter and it seems to deliver more power with less effort. Please note I said “it seems to”. I have no technical data to back this up. It is just my perception shooting both guns.
As far needing to tinker with the gun all the time, that is a much over hyped byline for the FX haters. I have owned 6 FX guns and I have never had one lose a tune. We have had three different Mavericks in this house and none showed e any sign of losing a tune or even offering a symptom that would give one thought to check if it had.
We have two M3’s and the same can be said for them. My wife’s M3 has been tuned twice. Once when it came from the dealer new and then once more time when she wanted to shoot slugs. That was over 7 months ago and the tune has remained steady, it has not lost any air. Her gun will sit for a week or two between shooting sessions.
My gun on the other hand has been tuned 5 maybe 6 times. Why? Because I bought it to tinker with. I enjoy trying different style and weight projectiles. But, once the gun has been set, it does not change, lose air or suffer POI changes.
My Maverick Compact had a POI change last week. Really puzzled me. I could not remember it being bumped, dropped or any other contact that would have caused the issue. In fact after several groups I noticed that it would shift mid string. Turns out I had a loose scope mount. Nothing to do With the gun itself.
It has been my experience that most people who have FX guns that are marketed for the ability to tune them suffer from operator error.
I suggest if you have access to personally handle guns, compare them. Both will deliver what you are looking for.
 
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I would go for the wildcat. The impact is a tinkerers special, and while it can make more power than the wildcat, it has its downfalls. I’ve owned 3 impacts in different variations, and all of them had fist shot velocity issues. Non had reg creep, so my only idea is that because the valve rod on an impact is so damn long, you get stiction issues to the orings when it sits for a while. Fire a couple shots first and it’s fine. The wildcat doesn’t have this issues, and its consistency between shots is unmatched with the dual regs. For me, its ergonomics are also better matched. I just couldn’t get comfortable with the imoact, even after adding $100’s in accessories to get it there.

In conclusion, they’re both great guns, and I’m sure you’ll be happy with either, but if you want more of a set it and forget it option, I’d go with the wildcat.
 
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I'm admittedly not as experienced with these rifles as some folks are on here, but I've been a shooter for my entire life. I recently got into this hobby as a means to improve on some fundamentals in my yard rather than load up and head to the range with PB's. I happen to like my neighbors so I go to great lengths to preserve their peace.

That being said, I have an Impact M3 and a Hatsan Factor RC. I keep reading how temperamental the Impacts are and how you have to tinker with them constantly. Seems to me, you CAN tinker with them constantly... but it's optional. I think it's pretty cool that FX makes it possible to tweak every little thing you may want to tweak... but that doesn't seem to me to be a requirement to run the gun. I zeroed mine on day 1 at 50 yards. Every time I shoot it, it's still zeroed and performing exactly like it did when I put it down previously. I have no idea what to tweak and why, simply because I don't need to change anything. So, just because FX made it possible to change everything doesn't mean your gun won't shoot right.

I kinda feel like whichever one you choose will make you happy.
 
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Buy the Wildcst.. had a fix or repair daily Impact. Got a 25 Mav compact. Spit in your eye accurate @ 85 yds. Pellets and slugs. Got the 700 barrel. Spit in your eye accurate @ 100. 3" circle @ 150yds. The 700 makes them Impact unwieldy. I have an original wildcat 22. Spot on to 85 yds.
I would have bought the Wildcat instead of the Maverick but they weren't making the 3 yet. The wildcat ergo's are my favorite. If I were you, I'd get the 600 barrel. 500 is a little short on long shots, 700 won't go thru the doors & weight. Destroys the balance IMO. Oh well, you'll love the wildcat.
There are other guns😎
 
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I own a WC Mk3 (500mm, non bottle) and Impact Mk2 700mm both in .30. For my purposes, the WC is used as a woods walk and stalker, whereas the Impact is used as a bench rifle. I'm a set it and forget it guy myself, so the only time I had these rifles tinkered with was when they left the shop.

The tinkering thing is for those who like to shoot various types of pellets and slugs for whatever they intend to do (hunting, long range shooting, power). But for me I only shoot pellets, and they both shoot the 44 and 50gr pellets very well up to around 100-120 yards, which is all I expect from them.

It's very hard for me to choose only 1 of these rifles, but I do feel the Impact is the superior one. It does have more o-rings and things that could go wrong with it, but I feel it has the higher capabilities and shot count, and the Mk3 is supposedly much easier to tinker with if needed. The WC is no slouch though and could save you a few hundred bucks if you choose more simplicity. Either will bring a smile to your face.
 
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I have both and the Impact is better setup for longer barrels. The Maverick/Wildcat is best in the compact form for walking around hunting imo. They have a shorter barrel support design, making the longer setups more prone to poi shifts. My Impact has a 700mm barrel with the Huma tensioner kit and has done very well at extended ranges. I think they both excel for different applications and would have a tough time choosing only one.
 
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A wildcat MK2 was my first ever fx gun. It was a great learning experience and out of the box very accurate and nothing to do or add besides a scope and mounts. After two years I was ready for an impact and three years later I’m still tinkering with my impact, only because I choose to tinker. I find it relaxing and fulfilling to discovering areas of the impact I never thought possible. If you’re not that type, stick with the wildcat. My wildcats(I own two MK2’s) are never messed with, they just hang on the wall at the ready if I decide to take out a skunk or what have you. Even though I tinker a lot with my impact, the wildcat platform is still my favorite. The new MK3 bottle version is a very nice upgrade for power, and if I was into slugs I’d invest in a BT version for sure. Currently, my wildcat airtube versions are fulfilling my needs around my place for critter control.
 
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I currently have both the FX Impact M3 (two of them, one in .25 and one .30) as well as a Wildcat MK III BT currently set up as a Compact .25 cal and a 480cc bottle. I have also owned two other Wildcats, both MK III tube versions (one a Sniper and one a Compact). Ergonomically I think the Wildcat is simply the best bullpup rifle I have ever shot. However I had to keep only one I would never sell my Impacts in order to keep the Wildcat. The Impact is simply the pinnacle of the FX line (OK, truth be told, I have never held, much less shot, a Panthera). As much as I love my Crowns or my Wildcat, the Impact does stand alone in terms of tunability, adaptability, adjustability and aftermarket support.

Chris
 
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Agree with both @Bigragu and @ChRiSiS.
My WC MK3 was so easy to tune, just like my Maverick, but the ergonomics of the WC was just special. My Impacts are still in my stable for now and have no desire to part with them. Given your parameters, I believe you would be quite happy with a WC MK3 BT Keep us posted.

Patrick
 
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I have to agree with EVERYBODY...lol...I have a brand new Impact M3..in .30...A maverick in .30 (600 mm barrel)..& an 2 month old wildcat m3 tube classic compact (in ,177).....the Impact is 100 yrd +...The Mavs my pork chopper... 930's with 44.8 grs..(inside of 50 )..But the Wildcat......I hope i dont get tomatoes thrown at me for sayin this.......But that little 177 kills them porkers just as dead as the .30's....(cranked up to 130 bar & 13.4 & 16.2 gr jsb's) AND 30 YARD MAX....I LOVE my wildcat & Mav.....The Impact.....Would probably be the orphan........Question is.....Do you like woods walking ...Where it seems like your carrying NOTHING & is super ergo & just cool as shizzzz....or bench/tri-pod set-up shooting/hunting...Hey Datornic....Was that a "trick" question....lol.......Id nvr part with the Wildcat......I hunt in fl mangroves...If you can see 50 yrds ...your in a tree stand....LOL...
 
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madeintheuk said:
I would go for the wildcat. The impact is a tinkerers special, and while it can make more power than the wildcat, it has its downfalls. I’ve owned 3 impacts in different variations, and all of them had fist shot velocity issues. Non had reg creep, so my only idea is that because the valve rod on an impact is so damn long, you get stiction issues to the orings when it sits for a while. Fire a couple shots first and it’s fine. The wildcat doesn’t have this issues, and its consistency between shots is unmatched with the dual regs. For me, its ergonomics are also better matched. I just couldn’t get comfortable with the imoact, even after adding $100’s in accessories to get it there.

In conclusion, they’re both great guns, and I’m sure you’ll be happy with either, but if you want more of a set it and forget it option, I’d go with the wildcat.
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I know that I’m late to this party but I agree. Buy a wildcat mk3 bt. The impact is more of a bench shooter and it’s FX’s flagship air rifle. If you like to tinker then by all means buy an impact. Personally I’m going with the wildcat
 
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datornic said:
I don't own an Impact or Wildcat Mark 3 but I'd like to hear from pros on this site, if you can afford to buy only one, would you buy an Impact or a Wildcat?
Looks like the Mark 3 generation evened the playfield as far as power...I'd like to shoot mid to long-range, and it seems like both guns can do long shots with .22 slugs 34 or 40 grain,

Also don't want to tinker with the gun every week...I'd just like to shoot it, not constantly make adjustments...which one will hold the settings and the accuracy better?

Finally, if you know anyone who wants to sell a Mark 3 pls ask him to contact me at [email protected]

Thank you!
Click to expand...
What convinced me to go with the wildcat mk3 bt was Ted’s Holdover. He said if you are more of a bench shooter then go with the impact. Otherwise go with the wildcats. Which is his favorite FX air rifle
 
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I have a Wildcat MK3 BT .22 Compact, a Wildcat MK3 BT .30 600mm, and an Impact M3 .25 600mm. You don't need any additional equipment to make the Impact shoot accurately. Mine is bone stock and shoots great. You don't need to tinker with it at all (once adjusted to your liking/projectile), that is a personal choice. I tuned mine 2 years ago, and have not touched it since. Matter of fact, I tuned both of those Wildcats, both bone stock and have not touched either, in 1 1/2-2 years and they shoot great too.

The only consideration is whether it will be more of a carry/offhand shooter or a bench shooter. Both can do either but as others have said, the W/C is a little better at the former and the Impact a little better at the latter.
 
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cmatera said:
I have a Wildcat MK3 BT .22 Compact, a Wildcat MK3 BT .30 600mm, and an Impact M3 .25 600mm. You don't need any additional equipment to make the Impact shoot accurately. Mine is bone stock and shoots great. You don't need to tinker with it at all (once adjusted to your liking/projectile), that is a personal choice. I tuned mine 2 years ago, and have not touched it since. Matter of fact, I tuned both of those Wildcats, both bone stock and have not touched either, in 1 1/2-2 years and they shoot great too.

The only consideration is whether it will be more of a carry/offhand shooter or a bench shooter. Both can do either but as others have said, the W/C is a little better at the former and the Impact a little better at the latter.
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I have never needed any aftermarket parts for any of my FX rifle either. I have had or still own a Bobcat M1, Impact M1 and 3, Two Wildcats M2 and 3 sniper and a Boss. Personally, I love FX.
 
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