Trainer, is a copy of main rifle setup necessary?

[Teach Me Sensei]

If one were to get a trainer, will trainer rifle setup have to match ones main rifle or could one pick up any .22 / .223, go shoot and reap the benefits of a lot more rounds down the range...?

The question might be stupid, but that is kinda what keeps me from getting a trainer

 

[_Windrider_]

If one were to get a trainer, will trainer rifle setup have to match ones main rifle or could one pick up any .22 / .223, go shoot and reap the benefits of a lot more rounds down the range...?

The question might be stupid, but that is kinda what keeps me from getting a trainer

Yes and no. The advantages are obvious. However trainer rifles are good for fundamentals so when you get behind your main rifle you it comes naturally.

 

[longgunJR]

I'm on the same boat as you, the price difference from a VGW .22 to a Tikka T1x or a CZ455 is huge (in case that's what you have in mind) I think improving transition times and the time it takes you to get on target are more important than how the rifle feels once you pull the trigger (trainer will never have the same recoil anyway), there fore the rifle should be similar and making it identical to your main rifle is more of a preference. just my 2 cents

 

[Dthomas3523]

You’re gonna get split opinions on this. My
opinion has changed over time.

When starting out and either learning or re-learning (if you grew up shooting and/or military in 80’s-early 2000’s things changed a lot) proper fundamentals, an exact copy is more of a benefit than when you have solid fundamentals.

With pistol, shotgun, and carbine, you’re shooting very fast and very instinctive. So training with your match rig or a identical copy is much more important.

With precision rifle, even though 90s or less stages are “fast” you still are given time and opportunity to shoot when compared to other disciplines.

My opinion has changed over time that an exact copy isn’t really that big a deal for precision rifle.

You’re going to do it all the same regardless:

As straight behind the rifle as possible
Get good sight picture
Proper natural point of aim
Proper breathing
90 degree straight back trigger press/control
Proper follow through

Once you have gotten those down and continue to improve on them, it’s not as big a deal to use a different rifle. When you don’t have good fundamentals, then it’s somewhat of a crutch that you can only shoot your match rig well.

For me personally, the only thing I look for in all my rifles is a similar balance point. I use an AI-AT for match rifle with the thumbhole skins. And typically a kmw sentinel for other rifles. I have short fingers, so these two stocks make easier to get a 90deg trigger without having to get my grip up on my fingertips.

I also have a Mcmillan a10 which also is comfortable.

Match rig has an AI factory two stage and my vudoo and other rifles have diamond single stage at about 1.5lb.

The only thing I do is get a few dry fires to tune my finger to the trigger break. Never had an ND swapping between rifles.

I also have variety of 60 and 90deg bolt lifts. Along with the vudoo which has a much shorter bolt throw.

Zero short strokes swapping between rifles.

Same thing with optics. I have a gen3xr reticle for the AI and mpct2 reticles for other rifles. Slightly different looking reticles, but the principle behind them is the same. No big deal swapping between.


So, it’s a personal opinion. I personally believe that with a solid fundamental base, it’s more of personal preference on rifle setup and doesn’t have that much of an impact on performance.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’m going to go as far as say most people have a training rig very close or exactly the same as a match rig, because that’s the components they prefer.

Not because it lends to an abundance of training value.

Obviously though, the more components that you have that you either like or perform better with, the better your performance will be.

 

[Teach Me Sensei]

Thanks for all the input.

If I had to invest in a trainers + same stocks etc i might be better of investing the money in ammunition perhaps?

A trainer would easily run me $1500 but then again, that's really not a lot of rounds you get for $1500

 

[Dthomas3523]

Thanks for all the input.

If I had to invest in a trainers + same stocks etc i might be better of investing the money in ammunition perhaps?

A trainer would easily run me $1500 but then again, that's really not a lot of rounds you get for $1500

Or a barrel vice, bolt, and barrel for your current setup.

Biggest reason many use a trainer is to prolong the life of their match barrels. With most people using 6mm and getting 2-2500 rnds at the very most on a barrel.

 

[Teach Me Sensei]

That is actually an excellent point

 

[gunsnjeeps]

I shoot a different game but my idea of a trainer is a back up to a competition gun. Break it and swap it.

If you are looking for a different caliber you'll get used to different recoil. Especially if you train more than shoot.

Your "trainer" budget might be better spent on rebarreling at the end of a season or buying a second same build rifle and using the older one as a trainer.

 

[MountainRogue]

Two words... muscle memory

 

[Greg Langelius *]

For F T/R, my .223 and .308 are identical except for chambering and BDC scope. The BDC scope is on there to allow for other applications. The .223 has been fired in National Level F T/R MR matches, and I would feel comfortable firing either the .223 or the .308 at those distances.

I seriously doubt I'll be firing in serious competition anymore, age and health make that just too much of a chore.

These rifles are built on the Savage 11VT, a distributor-specific proprietary model; unfortunately from Dick's, and are no longer available.

I restock them with the Chaote Savage Tactical Stock, and add Choate LOP extenders (3 for my 6 1/2ft frame), and a Hawkeye Adjustable Cheek Rest. An EGW 20MOA Extended Scope Base, Medium Rings, and Bushnell AR Drop Zone BDC 223 or 308 scope, as required. These rifles are adequate, affordable, and the added features make them far more enjoyable to shoot in a serious manner.

I am unforgiving of the way Dick's SJW Virtue Signalling has deprived myself and many others of access to otherwise excellent entry level competitive rifles. May their Management rot in Hell forever.

I still don't think trainers need to be identical, or even strongly similar. I just happened to settle upon a specific configuration that I could both afford and shoot respectably well.

That's my bolt guns.

I have more AR's than bolt guns; and in many ways, the concept of an AR trainer simply gains no traction with me.

Greg