Thoughts on Training Rifles

[Huntin_GI]

Hey yall,

I've been kicking around the idea of a new gun recently. I came across the premise of trainer rifles and was curious to everyones thoughts.

For those who aren't in the know, a trainer rifle is a rifle platform (think classic Rem 700) in a cheaper to shoot caliber (think .22lr) that has the same dimensions as your primary hunting rifle. Practice with the cheap ammo, swap to the big gun and not experience any difference in fit and save cash. Simple enough.

I've seen Begara's B-14 trainer which would be nice but $800 for a 22lr is a tough pill to swallow.

Has anyone went this route? I toyed with the idea going with a couple cheap Savage's as around black friday, they damn near give them away. Get one in .223 and .300wsm and avoid spending a million dollars on ammo.

Whats been your experience?

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

If it’s really a training rifle, use a similar stock, same trigger at same pull weight, and get the rifles a similar weight.

 

[SteveCNJ]

I tried training my rifle but I think I just have a stupid one.

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[pyrotechnic]

I really like the idea of 2 identical rifles, one chambered in a a low recoiling, cheap cartridge, with a long barrel life (.223) or something, and the other in your more expensive, higher recoiling chambering.

That, being said, your quickly going to get to the point of diminishing returns if you're going to spend a bunch of money decking your trainer to be an identical copy.

The fundamentals are the fundamentals, and applying them properly on a cheap little 22lr for thousands of rounds is going to put you way ahead of spending a buttload of money on a training rifle. I'll never tell someone they don't need a new gun though.

 

[mt100gr.]

I'm in!! Like them or not, Tikka makes it easy. And they all shoot. Here's my T1x .22 LR set up exactly like a 6.5 CM CTR. I'm in the process of putting together a matching .223 right now and I have a 7mmRM set up already, identical to these. The only difference between the 4 is the 7mm has a few inches more barrel and a 3-15x SWFA instead of the fixed power and there's a couple different scope mount components among them. Same grips, same reticles, same triggers and so forth.

 

[Grumman]

I'm in!! Like them or not, Tikka makes it easy. And they all shoot. Here's my T1x .22 LR set up exactly like a 6.5 CM CTR. I'm in the process of putting together a matching .223 right now and I have a 7mmRM set up already, identical to these. The only difference between the 4 is the 7mm has a few inches more barrel and a 3-15x SWFA instead of the fixed power and there's a couple different scope mount components among them. Same grips, same reticles, same triggers and so forth. View attachment 277628

What cheek risers are those?


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[mt100gr.]

What cheek risers are those?


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Victor Company USA Inc.

victorcompanyusa.com

Pretty simple, but effective. And they match up with the Tikka stocks nicely.

 

[tdhanses]

I have a Ruger precision rimfire and a Christensen Arms Ranger, love them and great way to get plenty of cheap trigger time in.

 

[woods89]

I'm a big fan of a training rifle. I have both a 22 lr and a 223, although neither one are an exact copy of my hunting rifle. Ideally they would be, but I think lots of good can be done even if they aren't identical.

 

[CHSD]

Sounds like a good reason to buy a new gun. I got a .22 that is similar to my deer rifle that is way fun to shoot. Way cheaper too.

 

[rayporter]

i am a firm believer in trigger time, even if the rifle is not a perfect match.
my 223 is a match except for weight but my 22 is not a good match, it is accurate however.

 

[Maki35]

I'm a believer as well. I enjoy a day of shooting at the range.
I'll sight in my hunting rig, but I'll shoot all day with my training rifles (.22, .223, 7.62x39). Cheaper on my wallet too.

 

[umpquah20designs]

I currently have that exact thing except mine was bought on the premise for my kidsi have a m77 mark II in 7mm Mag then bought a M77 MarkII in a 17HMR. Same action,Safety and trigger... Worked to a charm with my daughter. Other then she thinks the 7 mag is hers... I have to say it honestly feels like a good thing to me. Until recently when ammo became impossible to find.

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[Huntin_GI]

And just like that, I am now shopping for two rifles.

 

[hereinaz]

Trigger time is most important.

Dryfire training is as valuable as almost anything else. Training to press the trigger and build positions is key.

Trigger time with another rifle is good. The more similar the better. If you go smaller caliber, you will lose some recoil management training.

Guys run lighter calibers because of cost. I hear of some that run a 308 to train recoil management so when they shoot their 6mm competition gun, it is easier to drive.

Bottom line, trigger time is good, but don't build bad recoil management habits with small calibers, cause your big boomer will exploit it.

 

[Werty]

IMO, you can buy a lot of ammo for the cost of another gun, and a lead sled " if recoil is a problem".

 

[hereinaz]

IMO, you can buy a lot of ammo for the cost of another gun, and a lead sled " if recoil is a problem".

Lead sleds are not good for a heavy recoiling gun/scope. Moreover, unless you are going to use one when hunting, it won't help with form and will build in bad habits. You need to practice exactly like you hunt.

Training with a lighter caliber is good because you can focus on more things, isolate them away from the recoil.

I 100% agree that burning ammo in your hunting rifle and replacing the barrel is often better than just buying another rifle. I sold a bunch of rifles because if that.

 

[Werty]

Lead sleds are not good for a heavy recoiling gun/scope. Moreover, unless you are going to use one when hunting, it won't help with form and will build in bad habits. You need to practice exactly like you hunt.

I agree with you coming from a someone with no shooting foundation, other than that, b/s. Lead sleds give you confidence in your gun and allow you to squeeze the trigger without developing a flinch. I grew up shooting 12ga 3" slugs and 375 h&h. All my guns work fine.

 

[hereinaz]

I agree with you coming from a someone with no shooting foundation, other than that, b/s. Lead sleds give you confidence in your gun and allow you to squeeze the trigger without developing a flinch. I grew up shooting 12ga 3" slugs and 375 h&h. All my guns work fine.

We will disagree, and I am OK with that.

You can squeeze the trigger on an empty chamber to learn that aspect and train without flinch.

To shoot a gun well in the field you gotta practice field positions. There is no way around it.

IMO, the idea of using a lead sled defeats the purpose of training for actual hunting shots. It changes point of impact and leaves you with very minimal actual practice. Hunters shoot over the backs of animals with magnums all the time because they never practice shooting the way they will on a hunt.

I agree, it will give confidence in the rifle, but that sort of makes my point, that if the only way it can be shot well is in the sled, there is more to work on than just pressing the trigger.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Lead sleds are for sighting in and making sure your gun is doing it’s job. Unless you are hunting with one which IMO isn’t really hunting. Once you have your gun dialed you need trigger time in field positions, prone, shooting over a pack, shooting over a rock or tree limb, shooting off one knee in a sitting position. Shooting down steep hills and up them.