Wildcat Sweating

[Kurt110]

I took the plunge and bought a FX Wildcat MK2 in .22 a month ago. New to bullpubs, I was not sure whether I would get used to the design.

It very quickly became one of my favorite rifles. I do a lot of pest control and the Wildcat is amazing as a pest control rifle. Light, balanced and extremely accurate. Shooting sparrows out to 75m is easier than with many other rifles I have shot. 

I consistently get groupings of less than half an inch at 50m. And the rifle is beautifully consistent. Extreme spread is averaging 9fps over about 8 strings. I have shot with it on the range about 8 times and been after pests 3 times. Performed faultlessly. It’s a joy to shoot. Great trigger! 

This morning, I shot some of the best groups at 42m but then noticed moisture on the air cylinder at the back. Wiped it down and a few shots later it was back. Odorless, looked like condensation. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any suggestions would be welcomed. 

See photo and two of the many similar groups I shot today. 5 shots at 42m in the rain. So absolutely nothing wrong with the performance.

 

[Kurt110]

Let’s try and load those photos again

 

[JCD]

I can't see your pics but I bet the moisture is right near the vent for the reg and /or right where mouth/nose is while shooting.... perfectly normal in my experience, and not a FX or Wildcat thing. 

 

[Kurt110]

And again

 

[Kurt110]

Thanks. I don’t know why the images are not loading from Imgur

https://m.imgur.com/kD6B2I9

https://m.imgur.com/DJfEsQs

https://m.imgur.com/nFxnMQL

 

[RM100GUY]

Same thing with my Bobcat Mk2, breath condensation.

 

[Glem.Chally]

Might be a temperature thing? I know my barrel gets this if I shoot fast and it's cold and humid.

 

[JCD]

Yup. it's you breathing warm air on cold metal... Or at least I get the same thing for that reason. 

 

[Kurt110]

Thanks for the feedback. Today was cold, wet and humid. Usually not the weather we get in Johannesburg. 

 

[Dairyboy]

Yup just from breathing no worries!

 

[TheIceman]

Kurt,

I am a refrigeration and commercial heating and air service tech by trade. Anytime you get condensation, it is always a result of the same conditions: A surface that is at or below the dew point of the air around it. When you air up your cylinder, have you ever noticed that it gets warmer? When you compress air, it gets warmer. The opposite is true as well. When you reduce the pressure of air, its temperature drops. So, shooting your rifle causes a cooling effect near where the air pressure drop is occuring. On very wet/humid days, the dew point tends to be pretty close to the temperature of the air, and it takes very little cooling to get a surface down to the dew point temperature, and then you get your condensation. There isn't much you can or should do about it, other than wipe it dry when done shooting. Glad you are enjoying your Wildcat!

 

[Kurt110]

Thanks. Appreciate your help 

 

[Grin_Reaver]

Thanks. I don’t know why the images are not loading from Imgur

https://m.imgur.com/kD6B2I9

https://m.imgur.com/DJfEsQs

https://m.imgur.com/nFxnMQL

You have to directly upload the picture from your computer instaed of an uploading website like imgur.

 

[BigTinBoat]

Thanks. I don’t know why the images are not loading from Imgur

https://m.imgur.com/kD6B2I9

https://m.imgur.com/DJfEsQs

https://m.imgur.com/nFxnMQL

You have to directly upload the picture from your computer instaed of an uploading website like imgur.

If they are already uploaded you just post them like below to show on the site.

Use the URL and add ".jpg" to the end of it

 

[Kurt110]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated 

 

[Haganaga]

I love science!

 

[milacik]

do you keep your gun in a warm place? it helps if you do short outings.



otherwise i would start thinking about practical implications such as what the condensed breath will do when it collecs and runs down the side into the action. colleting in the stock



can anything and will rust in there?

years ago someone told me avoid FX as it will rust and fall apart soon, they dont last long. seeing your photographic evidence...perhaps something was true in that?



i would lube up everything in there really good!

 

[ShootistX]

This is Normal for the wildcat. if you look atop your cylinder on the top rear of the tube you will see a small pinhole. That's where its coming from. Slight release of cold decompressed air around a warm air cylinder.



From the looks of the photo you were shooting the hell out of the gun. Under normal hunting circumstances you would not see this because the moisture would have time to dissipate. Target shooting, shot after shot after shot until the air cylinder is depleted, yes you will see that. The rest of this advice, breathing on it and whatnot is useless. The heating and air guy got it right. Yet everyone missed the tiny pinhole in the Wildcats air cylinder. I've been having the wild cat for a couple years now. Fine shooting gun and looks to kill.. I too was curious as to what was happening until I figured it out. Completely normal.

 

[milacik]

it is just consensation, that section is where your breath hits the cold cylinder. it is also where the plenum is with the hole on the cylinder parallel to the reg but no it is not coming out of that hole, if that was the case the OP should be changing the subject to Wildcat weeing herself or something 



i dont believe that that section gets lot colder than the rest as you have drop of pressure yes but also refilling so pressure goes up right away in the plenum

 

[ShootistX]

Afraid not. If you watch that " wee hole" after a few shots you will see condensation form around it slightly. But you may be onto something because Ive never seen mine condensate to the point of the OP's photos.