Budget trainer build ideas?

[steelheadmike]

I have a Rem 700 BDL in 223 that I want to try to make a trainer out of it. Before anyone chimes in with "sell it and buy a tikka", it's technically my dad's rifle, so that's not much of an option. It currently has a 6.5-20 burris in leupold bases/rings. Shoot's okay with 50gr varmint bullets. I think the barrel is 1:12 so I'm pretty much stuck shooting sub-60gr bullets.

But, I'd like to make it into a functional trainer, but I want to do it on the super-cheap because if I drop too much money into, I might as well buy a tikka.

Options I'm looking at are:

-Chop/thread the barrel for a can.
-Get a cheap bottom metal to convert to mag feed because I despise the BDL:
https://www.legacysports.com/product/detachable-magazine-drop-in-kits-remington-700-bdl/
-Swap scopes. Maybe a 6x SWFA if I can find one but I'll probably go with whatever decent 3-9 I can find on sale.
-Hog out the barrel channel for a little better free float.

Any other ideas?

 

[Dave0317]

Don’t chop and thread for the can. I would re-barrel before I’d put more money into a 1:12 .223 barrel. I had one, a 700 .223 SPS Varminter. Sold it because I wanted to shoot the heavier bullets at long range.


You could Put that money into a stock and scope.
New stock could come with new bottom metal depending on what you go with. Like KRG Bravo.

 

[HandgunHTR]

The purpose of a trainer is to make it as functionally similar to your hunting rig as possible. So, unless your hunting rigs are also R700 actions with DBM and factory stocks, I wouldn’t put a lot of $ or effort into turning it into a “trainer”. Now, if you want to modify it so that it is more fun to shoot, go for it.
I wouldn’t rule out keeping a close eye on the classifieds for Remage setups that will work with the 223 bolt face.

 

[coyotekilla]

I have a ruger american g2 that is my "trainer" its not so much of a trainer as it is a very affordable rifle to shoot. I think I'm reloading 223 for $8.60 a box using a 55gr soft point that's lethal on varmits, including coyotes. As for your rem 700, all said and done by the time you restock to get a detach mag, thread the barrel, your still gonna have a 1:12 twist... id just get a tikka, howa, ruger that's ready to go.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

The idea of a “trainer” rifle is sort of ridiculous to me. Bolt action rifles all work the same other than a few different types of safeties. Ditch the “trainer” idea and just get it set up to shoot the way you like.

I also agree with the guy that said to re barrel it. I’d personally just leave it as it is and go buy a Ruger American gen 2 ranch rifle in 223 or 6arc or something. Probably cheaper and faster than a re barrel job.

 

[RWT]

Your time is worth something. You will spend hours searching for a used barrel or good deal on the bottom metal. Put that “time” that is $, into a new or used 223 closer to what you want.

I would go with the SWFA10x. I have been forcing myself to shoot all the time with my Mavens on 10x. I have an older swfa10x and found I can hunt with it. The 6x is to difficult to find at a reasonable price.