Test results: Winchester Xpert

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For my test at the range, I waited for a dead calm day with a temperature of 15°C, which is ideal for a rimfire accuracy evaluation. To provide the broadest perspective of the Xpert’s performance, I tested 18 different loads, including cheap plinking ammo, hunting rounds and high-end target ammo.

Rather than offer a detailed comparison between the Xpert and its Wildcat forerunner, I’ll get right to the point: the Wildcat was a blast to shoot, but if I were looking for an accurate, easy-to-carry rimfire, the Xpert would be my choice. In terms of accuracy, 15 of my 18 five-shot, 50-yard groups were less than an inch, while five of those 15 grouped at or near a half-inch, with two less than 0.4 of an inch.

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For plinking, I would recommend Winchester’s inexpensive Wildcat rounds, which had a 0.590-inch group, or Eley Action at 0.550. For hunting, the top performers were CCI Mini-Mag at 0.552 and Eley High Velocity at 0.609. And if I were to get serious about punching one-hole groups, either RWS R50 at 0.320 or Eley Edge at 0.330 would top my list. Just expect to pay for the accuracy of those latter two high-end target loads.

Complete Test Results

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Brand

 

Bullet Advertised Velocity

(fps)

Group Size

(inches)

Winchester Wildcat 40-grain Copper Plated 1255 .590
Winchester T22 Target 40-grain 1150 .760
Winchester Varmint LF 28-grain Tin 1650 1.422
Winchester M22 Target/Plinking 40-grain Black Copper Plated 1255 .935
Browning Pro 22 40-grain Round Nose 1280 .626
Federal Hunter Match 40-grain Match HP 1200 .858
Federal Game-Shok High Velocity 38-grain Copper Plated hollow point 1260 .768
RWS R 50 40-grain 1082 .320
CCI S.G.B. 40-grain 1235 .909
CCI Mini Mag 40-Segmented Hollow Point Flat Nose 1235 .552
Remington Thunderbolt 40-grain 1255 1.230
Remington Sub Sonic 38-grain 1050 .768
Remington Cyclone 36-grain 1280 1.220
Eley Club 40-grain 1085 .7830
Eley Sport 40-grain 1090 .607
Eley Action 40-grain 1090 .550
Eley Edge 40-grain 1085 .330
Eley High Velocity 38-grain 1250 .609

Note: all groups were five shots at 50 yards. 

For more on the Winchester Xpert, see Outdoor Canada’s November/December 2024 issue.