More centerfire practice? Or Rimfire trainer?

[Helislacker]

Hi there,

I recently purchased a Tikka CTR in 6.5 CM and a Viper PST Gen 2. I’ve put about 300 rounds of ammo through it now and verified my trajectory using Muzzle velocity out to 850 yards. It’s been a lot of fun, but also inconvenient considering the cost, and the fact that I often having trouble finding 140gr ELDM up here in Canada. With that considered, I’ve began debating if I should purchase a T1X with a Diamondback tactical so that I can shoot a lot more, though the total cost of this setup would be well over a thousand dollars up here. My rationale is that I’d shoot less centerfire ammo in the long run and end up saving money while being able to shoot more often as well. On the other hand, I understand that 300 rounds isn’t a lot of ammo, and I’ve barely gotten to know the rifle and I’m already looking at “trainer options” without having become intimately familiar with my primary rifle. $1300 invested into 6.5 CM ammo as opposed to a .22lr would get me a ton of practice time and help make me become very familiar with the rifle.

With that, what would you guys suggest? More ammo and time for 6.5 or .22 trainer?

 

[Booner1334]

Hi there,

I recently purchased a Tikka CTR in 6.5 CM and a Viper PST Gen 2. I’ve put about 300 rounds of ammo through it now and verified my trajectory using Muzzle velocity out to 850 yards. It’s been a lot of fun, but also inconvenient considering the cost, and the fact that I often having trouble finding 140gr ELDM up here in Canada. With that considered, I’ve began debating if I should purchase a T1X with a Diamondback tactical so that I can shoot a lot more, though the total cost of this setup would be well over a thousand dollars up here. My rationale is that I’d shoot less centerfire ammo in the long run and end up saving money while being able to shoot more often as well. On the other hand, I understand that 300 rounds isn’t a lot of ammo, and I’ve barely gotten to know the rifle and I’m already looking at “trainer options” without having become intimately familiar with my primary rifle. $1300 invested into 6.5 CM ammo as opposed to a .22lr would get me a ton of practice time and help make me become very familiar with the rifle.

With that, what would you guys suggest? More ammo and time for 6.5 or .22 trainer?

Do you handload? If not, that's another option.

 

[straightshooter1]

Hi there,

I recently purchased a Tikka CTR in 6.5 CM and a Viper PST Gen 2. I’ve put about 300 rounds of ammo through it now and verified my trajectory using Muzzle velocity out to 850 yards. It’s been a lot of fun, but also inconvenient considering the cost, and the fact that I often having trouble finding 140gr ELDM up here in Canada. With that considered, I’ve began debating if I should purchase a T1X with a Diamondback tactical so that I can shoot a lot more, though the total cost of this setup would be well over a thousand dollars up here. My rationale is that I’d shoot less centerfire ammo in the long run and end up saving money while being able to shoot more often as well. On the other hand, I understand that 300 rounds isn’t a lot of ammo, and I’ve barely gotten to know the rifle and I’m already looking at “trainer options” without having become intimately familiar with my primary rifle. $1300 invested into 6.5 CM ammo as opposed to a .22lr would get me a ton of practice time and help make me become very familiar with the rifle.

With that, what would you guys suggest? More ammo and time for 6.5 or .22 trainer?

A .22 trainer goes a long way in leaning the in's and out's of long distance shooting . . . particularly if you shoot it at distance (like 200-300 yds). Set up a .22 LR rig that matches your big gun (like having the same grip and stock/chassis). Just got to remember that .22 LR's won't give you small groups, even with the best of them, like center fire ammo can, but a lot can still learned. And in the meantime, with the saving (and if you have the time) you can also begin to do some reloading, which will really help you with precision and accuracy.

 

[steve123]

Everything has it's pro's and con's, right??!!

What I don't like about rimfire is the large vertical that happens at longer distances and that's with expensive ammo. The cheap ammo can be 2-3-4 times the vertical so that option doesn't work to me.

Practicing with the go-to centerfire rifle seems like the way to go, at least for me it made more sense. I'm glad that prefit barrels can be had cheap and that I started reloading many years ago!

Lately I've been practicing with my PCP air rifles more, good pellets are cheap.

 

[hlee]

Where do you need practice? Fundamentals? NPA? Trigger press? These are where I think a 22 trainer shines.

Reading the wind at long range? Stability on weird props? Recoil control? Spotting your own impacts? I feel these benefit much more from "full size" practice.

 

[Rolltide]

I use my rimfires as trainers but in reality, I shoot them so much more than any of my centerfires.

It started with a low budget way to train...but they're so addictive.....

 

[Booner1334]

I use my rimfires as trainers but in reality, I shoot them so much more than any of my centerfires.

It started with a low budget way to train...but they're so addictive.....

I found the same thing to be true.
I enjoy shooting my 6.5 CM, but since I got my .22rf I've been shooting a lot more. what I found was that I learned more about .22's and shoot my CM less

But i'm thinking, if the OP wants to learn more about shooting his Tikka, he needs to shoot his Tikka, not a .22. If he doesn't handload for it, he should. It would/could/may lower his shooting costs, and would develop loads tailormade for his rifle and shoot it more.

I understand his thought process though, but I think it's kind of flawed; No harm meant, but
It's kind of like he wants to get to know his girlfriend better, so he dates her sister.