Trainer Rifle Options

[BLJ]

Do you have a 22LR?

 

[43.6N]

can use my daughter’s 223 Ruger American. I would need to replace the scope since she’s not ready for a complex scope or reticle.

-Do you have a suppressor?
-Is the Ruger muzzle threaded?
These are the two questions that would guide my choices.

My recs in order of importance:
1. Suppressor
2. Scope
3. Rifle.
4. Stock

Whatever option gets you (and her) shooting suppressed is how I would approach the build.

I’d scope and suppress your daughters Ruger if moneys tight. Otherwise, a scoped, suppressed 223 tikka in a Rokstock is the “gold standard” as far as trainer rifles go. But if the Ruger is what you have on hand, I’d build on it without a second thought if it meant bringing a suppressor into the equation. I have 2 Ruger Americans that have been great after a bit of work.

Lots of good cans. AB A10, or Otter Creek are good cheap no frills steel cans that will get it done. They are light enough, and plenty quiet. Printed titanium cans are great if you’re ok spending a little more for less weight.

The KRG bravo will make the Ruger an entirely more enjoyable and shoot-able rifle for you. And will help your daughter when she shoots it. 223 AICS mags from MDT run reliably with KRG. Frankly it’s probably the best stock after the rokstok and equal to the McMillan MTLR, but a pound heavier than both.

SWFA IS THE GOOD STUFF when it comes to simple-affordable-reliable scopes. 3-9, 6x, 3-15, 10x in that order. Not just for your daughter, but for you too.

 

[Jhconnected]

Do you have a 22LR?

Yes. Not threaded.

 

[Jhconnected]

-Do you have a suppressor?
-Is the Ruger muzzle threaded?
These are the two questions that would guide my choices.

My recs in order of importance:
1. Suppressor
2. Scope
3. Rifle.
4. Stock

Whatever option gets you (and her) shooting suppressed is how I would approach the build.

I’d scope and suppress your daughters Ruger if moneys tight. Otherwise, a scoped, suppressed 223 tikka in a Rokstock is the “gold standard” as far as trainer rifles go. But if the Ruger is what you have on hand, I’d build on it without a second thought if it meant bringing a suppressor into the equation. I have 2 Ruger Americans that have been great after a bit of work.

Lots of good cans. AB A10, or Otter Creek are good cheap no frills steel cans that will get it done. They are light enough, and plenty quiet. Printed titanium cans are great if you’re ok spending a little more for less weight.

The KRG bravo will make the Ruger an entirely more enjoyable and shoot-able rifle for you. And will help your daughter when she shoots it. 223 AICS mags from MDT run reliably with KRG. Frankly it’s probably the best stock after the rokstok and equal to the McMillan MTLR, but a pound heavier than both.

SWFA IS THE GOOD STUFF when it comes to simple-affordable-reliable scopes. 3-9, 6x, 3-15, 10x in that order. Not just for your daughter, but for you too.

I have a Thunderbeast Ultra 7 30 Cal. Plan is to suppress her rifle when in use. Haven’t tried it on there yet but I’m sure it’ll do alright.

I’d love to have my scope on there but that’s the highest price item. I want her to have a simple duplex for now to reduce confusion and errors. But, she won’t be using it for a few months and I have a big hunt coming up so maybe put a new scope on there for now.

 

[rogerdoger]

I would listen to Cliff G’s recent podcast with Ryan Avery. He goes through the entire concept of a trainer gun.

 

[43.6N]

I have a Thunderbeast Ultra 7 30 Cal. Plan is to suppress her rifle when in use. Haven’t tried it on there yet but I’m sure it’ll do alright.

I’d love to have my scope on there but that’s the highest price item. I want her to have a simple duplex for now to reduce confusion and errors. But, she won’t be using it for a few months and I have a big hunt coming up so maybe put a new scope on there for now.

Awesome.
So, a case of 556, an extra cone break, a KRG bravo, and a 3-9swfa and you’re 100% set up.

 

[BLJ]

Yes. Not threaded.

If it’s a bolt gun (assuming your 6.5 is) set it up with a decent FFP scope and build and break positions using that for a trainer.

22LR is cheaper, quieter, and needs less distance for good practice.
If you can get 200 yards and appropriately sized targets, a lot can be learned.

Shooting PRS/NRL 22 matches and practicing for them helped me tremendously for shooting from field positions.

IMO.

 

[Jhconnected]

Awesome.
So, a case of 556, an extra cone break, a KRG bravo, and a 3-9swfa and you’re 100% set up.

Don’t forget a torch to help get that brake off!

If it’s a bolt gun (assuming your 6.5 is) set it up with a decent FFP scope and build and break positions using that for a trainer.

22LR is cheaper, quieter, and needs less distance for good practice.
If you can get 200 yards and appropriately sized targets, a lot can be learned.

Shooting PRS/NRL 22 matches and practicing for them helped me tremendously for shooting from field positions.

IMO.

I’ve thought about this too. Not sure how easy it’ll be to do that. It’s the OG breakdown pack 22 LR…Marlin Papoose

 

[flyfisher117]

223 and be done. I’ve been a fan of 223 bolt guns since before it was trendy. Still one of my favorite rifles to take out and shoot.

 

[BLJ]

I’ve thought about this too. Not sure how easy it’ll be to do that. It’s the OG breakdown pack 22 LR…Marlin Papoose

Probably not going to carry over to your 6.5 very well.

If a a bolt 22LR isn’t in the budget, I’d get a scope for the current 223.

 

[bnewt3]

Don’t forget a torch to help get that brake off!

I’ve thought about this too. Not sure how easy it’ll be to do that. It’s the OG breakdown pack 22 LR…Marlin Papoose

View attachment 1015967

Hard to get the accuracy out of one of these that you can get from a good bolt 22, therefore less suitable as a trainer. But lets follow this a bit........

If it were me, in this line of thinking, I would get the 10/22 Takedown. (More?) Reliable, 10rd flush mags(or 25rds if you want, get the Magpul Backpacker stock and the 2 pieces(barrel & action/stock) clip together so you only have 1 thing to carry, storage in the buttstock for 2 extra 10rd mags + or an extra 10rd mag and a 50rd box(thats 3 mags for 30rds total or 2 mags with 70rds total) and sealed grip storage to fit a Victorinox Tinker/Recruit/Camper size knife(im sure other things fit as well), more vertical grip angle, also comes with 2 comb heights for irons or scope. Excellent package.

 

[Jhconnected]

Hard to get the accuracy out of one of these that you can get from a good bolt 22, therefore less suitable as a trainer. But lets follow this a bit........

If it were me, in this line of thinking, I would get the 10/22 Takedown. (More?) Reliable, 10rd flush mags(or 25rds if you want, get the Magpul Backpacker stock and the 2 pieces(barrel & action/stock) clip together so you only have 1 thing to carry, storage in the buttstock for 2 extra 10rd mags + or an extra 10rd mag and a 50rd box(thats 3 mags for 30rds total or 2 mags with 70rds total) and sealed grip storage to fit a Victorinox Tinker/Recruit/Camper size knife(im sure other things fit as well), more vertical grip angle, also comes with 2 comb heights for irons or scope. Excellent package.

I already have this 22. I’m not sure they make it anymore. But surprisingly accurate.

 

[Davyalabama]

As others have stated, a 22Lr with a nice scope - preferably the type of reticle you use on your gun. Try to get the trigger pull the same.

Bb guns, pellet rifle, then .22 --- some just went straight to .22 --- can't shoot .22 nor pellets at ducks, so had to start at bb guns. I'm just saying, don't sleep on the old .22 and it being a good trainer.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Well…. You’re on Rokslide, so the correct answer is always Tikka!!

Hahah, posted this in a different thread the other day but yes you are correct haha. Made me think of this

 

[Jhconnected]

Hahah, posted this in a different thread the other day but yes you are correct haha. Made me think of this
View attachment 1016140

Ha! This is the way. But I’m trying to find the most cost efficient direction for now lol.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Ha! This is the way. But I’m trying to find the most cost efficient direction for now lol.

Completely understand where you’re coming from. The most important thing is getting a trainer in general. Regardless of what shape it may take it will do nothing but help you improve!

 

[wysongdog]

22lr suppressed with same scope as on my big guys. Shoot to 75 yds in my yard off sticks. Great practice for Africa.
Picking up 223 tikka same set up can shoot it in the hayfield to a couple hundred yards. I’ve found out just like shooting my bows if I figure a way to do it in the evenings here at the house I will do it. I’m not nearly as motivated to shoot if I have to go somewhere. lol. I’m lazy that way.

 

[Davyalabama]

22lr suppressed with same scope as on my big guys. Shoot to 75 yds in my yard off sticks. Great practice for Africa.
Picking up 223 tikka same set up can shoot it in the hayfield to a couple hundred yards. I’ve found out just like shooting my bows if I figure a way to do it in the evenings here at the house I will do it. I’m not nearly as motivated to shoot if I have to go somewhere. lol. I’m lazy that way.

Yep, agreed.

 

[MT762]

Do you find it helps going through shot process and shot practice?

Does it help with recoil/prevents developing a flinch?

223 is the answer here. It's loud, like your 6.5 PRC, so whatever reaction you're having to the muzzleblast...it will help there. Even with a 223...your mind and body know you're sending a real bullet downrange. 22 LRs are not great trainers for center fire rifles unless people are just starting out.

How you want to setup a 223 trainer...you'll figure that out. It's really about learning positions, pressure on the rifle, and keeping perfect target focus through the shot sequence ... so you'll get plenty of benefit from your daughter's ruger even though it's not exactly like your Tikka.

You can put a pic scope base on top of the Ruger so you can switch scopes between your daughter's scope and a cheap Mil-Q scope if you are worried about that. Most decent scope rings lose maybe 1moa when you bolt and unbolt them.

Most 223 bolt rifles will shoot at least one brand of cheap 55gr ball ammo very well. So for 40 cents a round you can get all the practice you want (once you figure out what cheap ammo your particular rifle likes).

For shooting at distance...drop is actually irrelevant in terms of your trainer vs your 6.5 PRC. If you're shooting past 300-350 yards you are using a rangefinder and combined with the dope card that you definitely worked up before the hunt and definitely taped to your rifle...drop is not the issue. It's the one thing the computer can tell you with certainty.

The wind is a different story. It's definitely useful to shoot a 223 in the wind at 500 yards just to instinctively learn wind holds, but even 77gr TMKs are so much more drifty than any 6.5 PRC round it's not really apples to apples.

Shooting at animals in the wind is more like making a pool shot than something scientific. You are rarely going to have time to stand up and get a nice reading with your kestrel.

Long winded way of saying: 223 is your answer and it sounds like your daughter's rifle will be just fine to accomplish your goals.

 

[Schmo]

223 can’t be beat as a trainer rifle. For most cases, 5.56 ammo is safely used in them as well. Tons of factory ammo, and cheap to load very high quality match grade stuff.

If I could only have one bolt action rifle, it’d probably be a 223.