22 LR Trainer Setup

[WSMHNTR]

I'm looking at getting a Bergara B14R in 22lr as a trainer rifle for backyard plinking and to get more trigger time in. For those that have a B14R do you have any issues or regrets? I'm also looking for scope recommendations that won't break the bank but have reliable tracking or reticle options for hold over situations. Any fun scenarios or range setups are also appreciated.

 

[hereinaz]

Arken scopes have done well on my .22. 20% off now and a “free” suppressor.

 

[bnewt3]

What can your bank stand? Everyone's bank is different.

 

[bojangles808]

theres a guy 3d printing chassis on ebay so I put my MKii in one with a fixed SWFA. easy lop adjustment with the 6 position stock so my kid can shoot it back to back with me. its a little rough around the edges finish wise but functionally I'm happy. not a serious trainer though more of a plinker

 

[robtattoo]

I finally just got myself a T1x (not applicable in the OP's situation, I know) but I installed this scope:

https://a.co/d/dn2TQcB

And so far, for a .22 trainer, I can't find anything bad to say about it at all. I'm sure it won't stand up to the abuse I give my SWFAs, but for a strict range gun (so far) it dials well, returns to zero perfectly & is clear as a bell up to 18x. After 18, there's some significant aberration, but I'll never go that high with it myself.
Before I ever zeroed it & set the zero stop, I twirled it top to bottom, left to right & back probably 12 times each & RTZ was spot on every time.

 

[Kaleb]

I have the t1x's in 17 and 22 set up with dead air masks and 6x swfas. We like them a lot and it's been pretty slick having the girls go back and forth from that to 223's with the same scope. Well one 223 currently wears a maven but I'll swap that out for a 6x or 3-9 when I get a chance to keep scopes or reticles the same for them.

 

[WSMHNTR]

What can your bank stand? Everyone's bank is different.

Something in the $500 - $750 range is where I'd like to be. I have Nightforce and Leupolds but am having a hard time justifying that kind of cash for this build. Weight, low light performance, and even great clarity aren't a concern

 

[WSMHNTR]

I have the t1x's in 17 and 22 set up with dead air masks and 6x swfas. We like them a lot and it's been pretty slick having the girls go back and forth from that to 223's with the same scope. Well one 223 currently wears a maven but I'll swap that out for a 6x or 3-9 when I get a chance to keep scopes or reticles the same for them.

How do you like the fixed power for longer shots? Are you using holdover or dialing? My backyard range will allow up to roughly 150 yards but I'd like the ability to stretch its legs out further once in a while.

 

[sndmn11]

Something in the $500 - $750 range is where I'd like to be. I have Nightforce and Leupolds but am having a hard time justifying that kind of cash for this build. Weight, low light performance, and even great clarity aren't a concern

Get one of the fixed power SWFAs.

 

[Tod osier]

Get one of the fixed power SWFAs.

I really like a 6x on my T1X.

 

[00ninja00]

Don’t got a b14r but got the bergara bmr-x. Awesome 22, and fit and finish is as good as more $ 22s. I’d say it’s almost on par with my ruger m77/22, but obviously weighs less so it’s better to carry around. It’s fit and finish is way better than my Christensen ranger 22mag, and that’s a lot more $, for a 22mag that’s excellent in the weight savings category but poor in the fit and finish and build quality category. The bergara bmr-x is priced very well for how well it’s built. Having seen and handled the b14r, it’s even a beefier and better built rifle, and heavier for obvious reasons, but if that’s what you’re looking for, I think you’ll be plenty happy. Most will tell you to go with a CZ, which is the most popular these days, but I say get the bergara if that’s what you like, and you won’t regret it.

I got Leupold vx3hd for CA ranger (keep weight to minimum), vx5hd for ruger 77/22, and a swaro z3 on the bergara bmr-x. I like them all for different reasons. IMO: spend about the same $ (plus or minus a few dollars) on glass as you do on the rifle. $800 rifle $600-$1000 glass. $5k rifle, $4k-$6k glass.

 

[Kaleb]

How do you like the fixed power for longer shots? Are you using holdover or dialing? My backyard range will allow up to roughly 150 yards but I'd like the ability to stretch its legs out further once in a while.

Dial but have played around with holding over just trying to explain/show the girls what's going on. When I first got the gun the 22lr years back I had the 3-15 on it. It was more for playing at longer range. As the girls got older I decided to put the 6x on it. We shoot it out to 350 with the 6x but it's just aiming at the same targets we shoot centerfire at. It's set up like a deer rifle and not trying to shoot tiny groups on higher power. Which I suppose is the whole point. Trying to keep things familiar for them. Same scope reticle magnification same trigger and so on.

 

[Kaleb]

Should mention and I don't know how far past 150 you want to play but get a rail with all the Mao you can. Mines 30moa and Im not sure what I have left at the moment. Going off memory I think Im like 18 mil at 350. So over three and a half revolutions. I don't mean to assume you didn't know this but it's almost funny how far you can shoot the 22 but also funny how much it takes. 350 is a long way for me but plenty of people shooting way past that.

 

[dreamingWest]

I've never actually seen a SWFA 6X in-stock while sitting at my computer with my wallet.

I just put a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 on my kid's .22. Not a dialer but you can get one with a Mil-dot reticle.

 

[bnewt3]

Something in the $500 - $750 range is where I'd like to be. I have Nightforce and Leupolds but am having a hard time justifying that kind of cash for this build. Weight, low light performance, and even great clarity aren't a concern.

Im looking at an Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 in either: 4-20 or 6-24. Havent pulled the trigger yet but it seems like it will work well for my purposes.

Can be had in the $450-$600 range

 

[TaperPin]

For an accurate 22, many targets are pretty darn small, so my choice is at least 12x. A fixed 10x or 12x makes a good training scope. Almost all my 22 range time is at 100 yards or meters, and white tape is put on the elevation and marked off with smallbore silhouette distances of 40, 60, 77 and 100 meters. Something about a bucket full of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams makes me smile.

It’s interesting everyone thinks of a 22 trainer differently. Some want to get prone with it, while others think prone with a rimfire is about as boring as watching paint dry. I seem to enjoy mostly offhand and sitting practice, and honestly can’t remember the last time it was shot prone. Of course a Wyoming pickup isn’t complete without paint chips between the door and door frame from plinking prairie dogs. Lol

 

[sndmn11]

One of those Bergara rimfires that comes with the pic rail installed, is not to spec and ring spacing does not align with a true pic rail. So, one is stuck with a dedicated scope on that rifle FYI.

 

[BLJ]

I would get at least a 20 MOA rail.

I’ve had great service from the Arken EPL, Athlon Midas Tac and Athlon Ares BTR’s.

 

[WSMHNTR]

Should mention and I don't know how far past 150 you want to play but get a rail with all the Mao you can. Mines 30moa and Im not sure what I have left at the moment. Going off memory I think Im like 18 mil at 350. So over three and a half revolutions. I don't mean to assume you didn't know this but it's almost funny how far you can shoot the 22 but also funny how much it takes. 350 is a long way for me but plenty of people shooting way past that.

I'll compare it to pumping an air rifle up way more times than you should as a kid and seeing if you can hit a milk jug at 100 yards. My main goal is just more trigger time which is easy enough when its right out the back door. I do have ranges on other properties that I can reach out with the big boomers to 1100

 

[bnewt3]

I'll compare it to pumping an air rifle up way more times than you should as a kid and seeing if you can hit a milk jug at 100 yards. My main goal is just more trigger time which is easy enough when its right out the back door. I do have ranges on other properties that I can reach out with the big boomers to 1100

22LR to 1100....DO IT!