Trainer Rifle vs Just more ammo

[mcshakes]

I'm a new hunter, and I’ve been mulling around the concept of a “trainer rifle”.

I currently have a Howa 1500 in .308 with a SWFA 3-9x42 SS. It’s been great on the one hunting trip I took it out on, I bagged a doe. I plan on doing more hunts with it until I feel the need to upgrade to something “nicer”.

But I want to do a lot more purposeful training around increasing distances, understanding my holds, wind management etc… and a thought occurred that I could shoot the cheaper and more available .224/5.56, which I have a lot of.

The question: Is it worth it to buy a .223 bolt action rifle and slap on the exact same scope and train. Learn the ins and outs of both shooting but also the scope. Then move the scope to my main hunting rifle a month before actually doing a hunt to get dialed in.

Or should I just focus on buying more .308 ammo (the recoil doesn’t bother me) and keep practicing on the rig I already have?

 

[Kyguy]

It's absolutely worth it just based on the economy of ammo. Then when you add in the fact that it's much more comfortable to shoot for extended practice sessions it's a no-brainer.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I want to do a lot more purposeful training around increasing distances, understanding my holds, wind management etc…

Is it worth it to buy a .223 bolt action rifle and slap on the exact same scope and train.

Yes

 

[PVHunter]

I finally did this in 2024 and wish that I'd done it much earlier.

 

[CMcCormick1805]

For me the .233 trainer has been a fantastic buy. It’s almost guilt free to burn 100 rounds in a range day.

I’m not sure it needs to be the same scope in my use case because I feel being able to quickly build shooting steady positions is key.

I made sure I had a Spartan adapter to use my trusty Javelin bipod and was off to the range.

I haven’t seen many folks mention the use of the .223 trainer for Coyote hunting but it goes with me anytime I’m out in the woods during the offseason.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

should I just focus on buying more .308 ammo (the recoil doesn’t bother me)

Then you're not shooting enough haha

 

[Wapiti151]

223 trainer is a fantastic tool, highly recommend pulling the trigger…and because buying more guns is ALWAYS the right answer.

 

[DangerRanger]

What kind of accurate 223 ammo are yall shooting to make an entire rifle affordable Vs 308 ammo?

 

[Kyguy]

What kind of accurate 223 ammo are yall shooting to make an entire rifle affordable Vs 308 ammo?

You're looking at it from a rifle purchase perspective... you need to look at it from how much it costs to shoot hundreds, if not thousands of rounds a year AND wear and tear on YOU from shooting that much. ADI 69gr Matchking is $200 for a 200 rounds case right now. That's a $1 a round and it's excellent ammo. Go find .308 of the same quality (not for a $1 a round either) and then go shoot 100 rounds in a session, then come back and tell me that the .223 wasn't worth the investment.

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

I'd offer a contrary opinion: stick with what you've got and put that extra rifle money into training, ammo and a suppressor if you don't have one (suppressor may be the first thing to spend money on honestly if you have a grasp on fundamentals).

I was in the same boat and as much as I wanted to buy a different rifle I just stuck with my .308. I found some bulk ammo that's >1 moa for 10 rds and was (at the time) less than $1/rd so I stocked up. Maybe not optimal for learning but its what I've got and I could stomach that better than buying a new rifle & scope set up.

Depending on your twist rate I'd check out the 168 & 175 ammo below, shot identical to federal gold medal match ammo for me

https://www.theamericanmarksman.com/bullets-1st-308-win-168gr-sierra-match-king-hpbt-400-ct.html

 

[mcshakes]

You're looking at it from a rifle purchase perspective... you need to look at it from how much it costs to shoot hundreds, if not thousands of rounds a year AND wear and tear on YOU from shooting that much. ADI 69gr Matchking is $200 for a 200 rounds case right now. That's a $1 a round and it's excellent ammo. Go find .308 of the same quality (not for a $1 a round either) and then go shoot 100 rounds in a session, then come back and tell me that the .223 wasn't worth the investment.

This is a great way to think about it, considering I am not shooting equivalent .308 match ammo when I practice

 

[Rich M]

Most kids used to grow up shooting .22.

The lack of recoil w 223/556 and extra range is a plus.

The best way to shoot well is to shoot a lot. .22 or .223 is up to you. You cant beat .22 for being cheap.

 

[DangerRanger]

You're looking at it from a rifle purchase perspective... you need to look at it from how much it costs to shoot hundreds, if not thousands of rounds a year AND wear and tear on YOU from shooting that much. ADI 69gr Matchking is $200 for a 200 rounds case right now. That's a $1 a round and it's excellent ammo. Go find .308 of the same quality (not for a $1 a round either) and then go shoot 100 rounds in a session, then come back and tell me that the .223 wasn't worth the investment.

I believe you, I shoot a creed though so I can’t. And I’ve not found an issue shooting that much creed enough to save the 25cpr to build an identical trainer

maybe I should get a bolt and barrel for mine and try it.

 

[LongWayAround]

I learned more about shooting a rifle in two years of having a .223 and SWFA 6x than I did in the previous 10 years. I'm probably around 2,000 rounds through that gun now.

It's probably the single best investment I have made in my own shooting.

I don't think it's necessary to worry about having exactly the same scope on two guns, as long as both scopes dial reliably and hold zero.

 

[Turkeytider]

I'm a new hunter, and I’ve been mulling around the concept of a “trainer rifle”.

I currently have a Howa 1500 in .308 with a SWFA 3-9x42 SS. It’s been great on the one hunting trip I took it out on, I bagged a doe. I plan on doing more hunts with it until I feel the need to upgrade to something “nicer”.

But I want to do a lot more purposeful training around increasing distances, understanding my holds, wind management etc… and a thought occurred that I could shoot the cheaper and more available .224/5.56, which I have a lot of.

The question: Is it worth it to buy a .223 bolt action rifle and slap on the exact same scope and train. Learn the ins and outs of both shooting but also the scope. Then move the scope to my main hunting rifle a month before actually doing a hunt to get dialed in.

Or should I just focus on buying more .308 ammo (the recoil doesn’t bother me) and keep practicing on the rig I already have?

Just watch out. If you get a nice .223 you might just slip up and find suddenly that it’s your favorite rifle! I know I have. They are just such a joy and so much fun to shoot out to 500-600 yards. They can be a challenge ( try some 3” and 4” gongs at 500 or so ), but hey, that’s the fun!

 

[wind gypsy]

I'm more and more a proponent of just shooting the rifle you're practicing to shoot more.

I like my 223, but i've got more rifles than I have time to shoot too. $1500 in ammo > $1500 in a new rifle/scope.

 

[mcshakes]

@Turkeytider and @LongWayAround what .223 did you get? Part of me is looking at both the Tikka T3x Ranahan versus the Howa mini .223 (to save a couple hundred $$$)

 

[BLJ]

ADI 69gr Matchking is $200 for a 200 rounds case right now. That's a $1 a round and it's excellent ammo.

https://deleonrxgunsandammo.com/product/austrailian-defense-ind-amo-223-rem-69gr-sierra-matchking-20rd-10-box-case-1

If anyone is looking.

Go find .308 of the same quality (not for a $1 a round either) and then go shoot 100 rounds in a session, then come back and tell me that the .223 wasn't worth the investment.

308 Winchester 168 Grain Competition HPBT, Box of 20

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I’ve bought these at $17 a box. Around 1.5 or a little less for 10.

Just some other options.

The recoil is a no brainer. Agree completely with that.

ETA. Is was $17 a box when I bought it.
I corrected the original post.

 

[hunting1]

@Turkeytider and @LongWayAround what .223 did you get? Part of me is looking at both the Tikka T3x Ranahan versus the Howa mini .223 (to save a couple hundred $$$)

The Tikka CTR is always a great bet but just got a Mini and it shoots awesome for less $$.

I agree, for what I have in new gun, rings, optics, etc. I could have shot a lot of ammo. There are deals out there for Federal Match 168/175.

 

[LongWayAround]

@Turkeytider and @LongWayAround what .223 did you get? Part of me is looking at both the Tikka T3x Ranahan versus the Howa mini .223 (to save a couple hundred $$$)

I'm shooting a 24" Tikka T3x. It was on sale when they came out with the threaded muzzle versions.

There is a thread on here somewhere from a guy who got the Ranahan.

I took the advice of some on here and picked up a couple hundred rounds of the ADI 69smk. This was the first ten rounds of it.