223 trainer

[wind gypsy]

Appreciate your candor here. I’m in the situation where I do not have a .223 but am leaning heavily toward buying one. My 7 REM Mag is expensive to shoot and I also like to let it cool down between groups. I don’t plan to just totally hang up the 7 REM Mag, but it’s becoming prohibitive to shoot on a consistent basis.

So, with that said, what rifle would you buy to add to your safe? My 7 REM Mag is perfect for all the game I hunt so another “hunting” rifle isn’t really necessary. I own a .22 LR lever action but I will say it’s definitely not the right gun to learn fundamentals for shots past 100yds. Also, the fact that .223 can be found everywhere, even during shortages, is a big plus as well.

-RadDad

I still think 223 is still a good option if you're not getting another hunting gun. The only shortcoming is you're not going to learn as much in regards to recoil management. Just don't abandon practicing with the 7rm completely in positional stuff.

 

[cmahoney]

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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I still think 223 is still a good option if you're not getting another hunting gun. The only shortcoming is you're not going to learn as much in regards to recoil management. Just don't abandon practicing with the 7rm completely in positional stuff.

You is generic....

First, preferable the practice rifle is the same make and model as the primary hunting rifle. This will continue to allow you to develop muscle memory. Not good training on rifle X when the layout/mechanics of rifle Y are different. Got burned once by having a different safety on a practice rifle than my hunting rifle.

Second, the practice rifle should allow you to work fundamentals, practice shooting in the wind, try different positions, etc at a lower price and less thumping of your shoulder.

Third, you still need to include your hunting rifle(s) into your range sessions. Not necessarily round for round but enough to keep you familiar. And for the non-SWFA/Trijicon/NF scopes to ensure the scope works.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

I appreciate the fact I regularly end up shooting with my wife’s girlfriends or newish shooters in general and I can grab the 223 bolt gun, AR with 22 conversion, and a pistol and only grab two ammo types to shoot all 3 guns. The bolt gun is very similar to my 308 so the wife can shoot it over and over with the cheapest ammo I can find and I don’t wince at my reloading time going down the drain. I’m new at dialing in general and this lets me dial quite a bit.

 

[Mangata]

Discovered that I can drop my 308 Vanguard in a XLR chassis. May consider this option as a trainer. Same platform, cheaper & better ammo availability. Consider this a win???

 

[colby12]

For an inexpensive gun that if I had to guess, will shoot look at the Ruger American Predator .223. 1:8 twist. I’ve got two other calibers in that gun and they both shoot well and I don’t feel bad throwing them behind the seat.

 

[RadDad]

For an inexpensive gun that if I had to guess, will shoot look at the Ruger American Predator .223. 1:8 twist. I’ve got two other calibers in that gun and they both shoot well and I don’t feel bad throwing them behind the seat.

Yeah that’s on the short list. Will allow me some extra cash for glass as well.

-RadDad

 

[TheViking]

This. ADI FTW. damn that stuff shoots well. The 55 SBK is cheaper yet.

That ADI 223 brass is pretty solid too. So you're shooting an accurate round for basically the cost of just Lapua component brass but you get the high quality ADI brass too and have to spend zero time at the load bench.

That last part is the main motivator for me. I can justify buying ADI ammo and burning it because it costs me almost as much in components to load up something similar. I can still load 6.5 a fair bit cheaper than buying factory, and I don't want to spend time at the load bench.

Also, I give zero Fs about getting my 223 barrel piping hot and continuing to send it. I don't feel that way with my hunting rifles.

All that said, I think what @TK-421 is saying makes a lot of sense for people who don't already have a 223.

Edit to add: Have some AAC 75 hornady HPBT and 77 SMK from showing up today @ $0.60 and 0.75 ea respectively to give a go. I don't expect big things but for my home range that's limited to 200 yards it could be worth a shot for positional practice.

Just grabbed a 1-8 223 Tikka. In your experience does the 55 or 69 grainers shoot best? Or is it a coin flip?

 

[wind gypsy]

Just grabbed a 1-8 223 Tikka. In your experience does the 55 or 69 grainers shoot best? Or is it a coin flip?

I've only had one tikka 223 and the factory tube shot the 55 SBK notably better than the 69 SMK. I think ive seen reports from others that were similar but I've only got a sample of 1. Hornady factory 73 ELDm was awesome in it but i paid around $1/ea for those.

For whatever reason.. the 7.5 twist ACE 223 wylde barrel i have on it now is the opposite and shoots the 69 smks well and doesn't like the 55 SBK ADI or hornady 73 factory stuff.

Edit to add @TheViking - The post you quoted might have been a little older. The ADI loaded ammo with the same bullets under the Australian outback brand seemed to have a little higher quality brass and shoot a little better than current "ADI world class" branded stuff. The brass still seems fine but not lapua level consistency like the older stuff. I like it well enough still that i bought a couple more cases recently.