Shoot2Hunt practice rifle

[mad_angler]

What exactly is a practice rifle?

I understand the concept. I want specifics: rifle, caliber, rings, scope. suppressor, modifications...

What does it cost to build one?

Does anyone want to sell one?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

It’s a Tikka in .223. After that, you add the other things it needs to match the ergonomics and handling of your “primary rifle.”

So, I have a Tikka T3X in 6.5 CM with a 20” barrel, wooden Rokstok, SWFA 6x gen2 scope, and AB Raptor 8 as my “ primary rifle.”

My training rifle is a Tikka T3 in .223 with a 16.1” barrel, waiting on a wooden Rokstok lite, SWFA 6x gen2 scope, and AB Raptor 10 as my training rifle.

Cost to build one is whatever you want to put into it. A new Tikka is about $500 on sale, SWFA scope is about $350. Add $150 to cut the barrel as needed. Obviously a wooden Rokstok is not necessary, but highly desirable to me. And a suppressor is a requirement if you actually attend S2H.

 

[mtnbound]

What exactly is a practice rifle?

I understand the concept. I want specifics: rifle, caliber, rings, scope. suppressor, modifications...

What does it cost to build one?

Does anyone want to sell one?

The rifle platform can be whatever you prefer; Tikkas are just hard to beat.
The best cartridge is a 223. Cheap practice ammo can be found, or you can reload for it, and it will last for a lifetime for most folks.

Rings, I prefer tall rings from Unknown Munitions.

Having matching scopes on your hunting and training makes the best sense, but you don't have to. Maven, Trijicon, or SWFA. Check out scope evals in RS for more information.

A suppressor is not needed, especially for a training rifle, as you should be wearing ear protection while practicing.

Replacing the factory stock with something better will improve your shooting. The Rokstock is very nice, again, it's best if stocks match, but you could swap your training stock to your hunting rifle before hunting season.

The cost will vary depending on the quality of components and if you buy everything new, but plan on spending $1200-$1500 for a rifle, optic, and rings for a lower-end trainer with new parts.

 

[Pistolpete28]

It’s a Tikka in .223. After that, you add the other things it needs to match the ergonomics and handling of your “primary rifle.”

So, I have a Tikka T3X in 6.5 CM with a 20” barrel, wooden Rokstok, SWFA 6x gen2 scope, and AB Raptor 8 as my “ primary rifle.”

My training rifle is a Tikka T3 in .223 with a 16.1” barrel, waiting on a wooden Rokstok lite, SWFA 6x gen2 scope, and AB Raptor 10 as my training rifle.

Cost to build one is whatever you want to put into it. A new Tikka is about $500 on sale, SWFA scope is about $350. Add $150 to cut the barrel as needed. Obviously a wooden Rokstok is not necessary, but highly desirable to me. And a suppressor is a requirement if you actually attend S2H.

Beautiful rifles! Where are you finding 500 dollar tikkas!?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Beautiful rifles! Where are you finding 500 dollar tikkas!?

Thanks!

Those two were actually $550 and $500 secondhand. Of course, with the upgrades and accessories, the price goes up a lot. You just have to be patient and look at the right time of year to get the best deals (generally December through March).

Eurooptic has some blued ones on sale for pretty close to that.

 

[OverInfinite]

Primary rifle: 24" 7 Rem Mag R700 footprint in an XLR Chassis folder at 16.5lbs. Without suppressor
Primary rifle: 18" 6.5CM sig cross at 10lbs with suppressor

Practice rifles:
- 18" 22-250 fast twist in a savage action with mdt lss foldingchassis, 12lbs with suppressor
- 26" 223 savage build with manners stock, 18lbs without suppressor
-16" 6.5CM in Howa 1500 action with mdt lss chassis, swfa scope, 8lbs with suppressor
- Ruger precision rimfire 22lr

Practice rifles are in my opinion should be used to emphasize the thing you need work on. If I need to focus on settling a gun and manage recoil, I grab my 8lbs 6.5cm, if I need to work on positioning and acquisition speed, I grab my 18" 22-250. If I need bench rest trigger control and just getting into it again, 26" 223 comes out. And if I need to just have fun and play wind on a breezy day, the 22lr comes out. Each one of my guns is difficult and easy, and has a place. I am a big fan of picking a thing to work on and focus on that. Then add it to your list of tools and move on to the next thing.
None of my guys are wildly expensive, none of the cartridges really makes a difference, it's more about the combination to work on some things without worrying about something else.