I bought my Wildcat compact in .22 the first day they were available, late March 22, from Utah Airguns and posted my initial impressions. Decided I would update where I’m at today.
Current configuration - As delivered with addition of carbon fiber barrel sleeve, Wika regulator gauge, STO Falx moderator, ebay adjustable butt plate, Optisan CP 3-12x32p scope and a Vortex scope level.
I have put over 600 rounds of JSB 18.13gr and 50 rounds of JSB 25.39gr pellets through it and still am impressed with its handling and accuracy with 18gr pellets. Just getting around to setting the regulators and hammer spring from the stock settings. Decided to use 18gr pellets in this airgun. Once I get comfortable with a pellet tune I will try to tune for some 17.5gr NSA slugs I have on hand. With luck I may be able to use the same regulator setting with different power wheel settings for both pellets and slugs (not likely but a person can hope).
The following is a copy and paste from my log book. Hopefully the data my help other folks:
12 Aug 2022
Using an accurate digital gauge the first regulator was at 136 BAR and the second regulator was set at 103 BAR from factory. Installed and tested a new 23mm analog Wika gauge. It is readable and close to the digital gauge (about 3% difference). With stock gauge I was reading the rear regulator somewhere between 110 and 120 BAR. Glad I replaced stock gauge!
15 Aug 2022
Next test will be with 18.13gr JSB pellets with lower regulator pressure.
Had an issue with cocking arm slippage. Talked with FX service (Benjamin) to get the airgun setup and shooting. The out of adjustment cocking rod caused the airgun not to set sear when cocking airgun.
Also reset both regulators to lower values so I can optimize for 18.13gr pellets at a 7 setting on the power wheel. My intent is to get a baseline (optimum tune) for a 18.13gr JSB pellet. Once I establish and document that tune I will play with slugs and optimize/document that tune. After analyzing the data I will see if I can get a reasonable tune for both pellets and slugs with just a power wheel selection.
Hammer spring adjuster – from lowest (all the way in) to hammer lock (approximately 6.5mm from surface to head of adjuster screw) is 9 full turns. Have it at 2 turns out to start tune for 18.13gr pellets with 1st regulator at 110 BAR and 2nd regulator at 85 Bar.
16 Aug 2022
Tested various hammer spring settings at 85 BAR. Selected 6.5 turns to test spread and SD.
2.0 turns - 770
2.5 turns - 788
3.0 turns - 813
3.5 turns - 849
4.0 turns - 864
4.5 turns - 880
5.0 turns - 892
5.5 turns - 898
6.0 turns - 901
6.5 turns - 907
7.0 turns - 906
7.5 turns - 907
8.0 turns - 909
8.5 turns - 912
Will now test power wheel to determine how power wheel settings correspond to hammer spring settings.
Need to verify current tune at a power wheel setting of 7 is the best accuracy. Will shoot groups of 5 pellets for selected power wheel setting later this week.
Current configuration - As delivered with addition of carbon fiber barrel sleeve, Wika regulator gauge, STO Falx moderator, ebay adjustable butt plate, Optisan CP 3-12x32p scope and a Vortex scope level.
I have put over 600 rounds of JSB 18.13gr and 50 rounds of JSB 25.39gr pellets through it and still am impressed with its handling and accuracy with 18gr pellets. Just getting around to setting the regulators and hammer spring from the stock settings. Decided to use 18gr pellets in this airgun. Once I get comfortable with a pellet tune I will try to tune for some 17.5gr NSA slugs I have on hand. With luck I may be able to use the same regulator setting with different power wheel settings for both pellets and slugs (not likely but a person can hope).
The following is a copy and paste from my log book. Hopefully the data my help other folks:
12 Aug 2022
Using an accurate digital gauge the first regulator was at 136 BAR and the second regulator was set at 103 BAR from factory. Installed and tested a new 23mm analog Wika gauge. It is readable and close to the digital gauge (about 3% difference). With stock gauge I was reading the rear regulator somewhere between 110 and 120 BAR. Glad I replaced stock gauge!
15 Aug 2022
Next test will be with 18.13gr JSB pellets with lower regulator pressure.
Had an issue with cocking arm slippage. Talked with FX service (Benjamin) to get the airgun setup and shooting. The out of adjustment cocking rod caused the airgun not to set sear when cocking airgun.
Also reset both regulators to lower values so I can optimize for 18.13gr pellets at a 7 setting on the power wheel. My intent is to get a baseline (optimum tune) for a 18.13gr JSB pellet. Once I establish and document that tune I will play with slugs and optimize/document that tune. After analyzing the data I will see if I can get a reasonable tune for both pellets and slugs with just a power wheel selection.
Hammer spring adjuster – from lowest (all the way in) to hammer lock (approximately 6.5mm from surface to head of adjuster screw) is 9 full turns. Have it at 2 turns out to start tune for 18.13gr pellets with 1st regulator at 110 BAR and 2nd regulator at 85 Bar.
16 Aug 2022
Tested various hammer spring settings at 85 BAR. Selected 6.5 turns to test spread and SD.
2.0 turns - 770
2.5 turns - 788
3.0 turns - 813
3.5 turns - 849
4.0 turns - 864
4.5 turns - 880
5.0 turns - 892
5.5 turns - 898
6.0 turns - 901
6.5 turns - 907
7.0 turns - 906
7.5 turns - 907
8.0 turns - 909
8.5 turns - 912
Will now test power wheel to determine how power wheel settings correspond to hammer spring settings.
16 Aug 2022 - 1 | 16 Aug 2022 - 2 | 16 Aug 2022 - 3 | |
| Pellet | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr |
| Power Wheel | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| 1st Regulator (BAR) | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| 2nd Regulator (BAR) | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Hammer Spring | 6.5 turns | 6.5 turns | 6.5 turns |
| Shot Count | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average | 907 | 903 | 892 |
| High | 909 | 905 | 898 |
| Low | 905 | 900 | 875 |
| Spread | 4 | 5 | 23 |
| Std Dev | 1.3 | 2.0 | 7.0 |
| Temperature (F) | 66* | 66* | 66* |
| Barometer | 23.35 | 23.35 | 23.35 |
| Elevation (feet) | 7128 | 7128 | 7128 |
16 Aug 2022 - 4 | 16 Aug 2022 - 5 | 16 Aug 2022 - 6 | |
| Pellet | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr |
| Power Wheel | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 1st Regulator (BAR) | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| 2nd Regulator (BAR) | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Hammer Spring | 6.5 turns | 6.5 turns | 6.5 turns |
| Shot Count | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average | 869 | 823 | 766 |
| High | 875 | 833 | 770 |
| Low | 865 | 817 | 752 |
| Spread | 10 | 16 | 18 |
| Std Dev | 3.2 | 6.1 | 6.2 |
| Temperature (F) | 66* | 66* | 66* |
| Barometer | 23.35 | 23.35 | 23.35 |
| Elevation (feet) | 7128 | 7128 | 7128 |
16 Aug 2022 - 7 | xx Aug 2022 - x | xx Aug 2022 - x | |
| Pellet | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr | JSB - .22 - 18.13gr |
| Power Wheel | 1 | | |
| 1st Regulator (BAR) | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| 2nd Regulator (BAR) | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Hammer Spring | 6.5 turns | | |
| Shot Count | 8 | | |
| Average | 700 | | |
| High | 719 | | |
| Low | 691 | | |
| Spread | 28 | | |
| Std Dev | 9.2 | | |
| Temperature (F) | 66* | | |
| Barometer | 23.35 | | |
| Elevation (feet) | 7128 | 7128 | 7128 |
Need to verify current tune at a power wheel setting of 7 is the best accuracy. Will shoot groups of 5 pellets for selected power wheel setting later this week.
