Trainer rifle

[frost1235]

I'm running a Bergara premier rifle with a gen 1 razor and was curious if actually building an exact bolt trainer is worth it?
My first rifle was a Tikka T3 in .223. I was stupid and sold it and the regret is killing me now. ESPECIALLY since I sold it for a damn AR.

But now I own a 22lr Savage MKII BTV, and the obvious AR with a red dot. I was sitting on getting another .223 bolt action, but I was curious if anyone trains with a gas gun/22 savage? I mean, a new barrel/smithing costs 500-600. A "trainer" costs as much as the match rifle AND you'd have to get the reloading components if you have it. I just thought it was be a waste.

If anything I was thinking that getting a scope with similar reticle to the gen 1 razor and slapping it on the 22lr or AR would be more beneficial. (To get used to ranging/holding over.)

 

[Eustice]

I don’t think you necessarily have to have a duplicate of your match rifle, just in a smaller caliber. For what you’d pay to outfit it you could buy more ammo and a new barrel, maybe a couple times over.

I noticed a big difference in matches once I started hunting squirrels with a single shot break-barrel .22 pellet rifle. It had a cheap duplex reticle scope and shot MOSH (Minute of Squirrel Head). The benefit was I was working on positioning off barricades (tree limb, deck rail, window sill, air conditioner unit, etc...) and squeezing the trigger.

There’s no replacement for learning what your Match rifle and round will do other than shooting it more. But for all the other skills, a smaller rifle will work. I also have a CZ455 with a SWFA 3-15x that I like to take out. I have steel plates around all the way out to 185 yards. Change your location a bit and you change your angles, your props, and your distance. You get an idea of what is going to work on what prop. And I can shoot 250 times for under $20.

 

[Boostinmarc4]

To a large extent a trainer rifle is about getting more trigger time in. It would be best to make sure your trainer rifle did have a decent trigger though as a gritty heavy milspec ar trigger is not going to replicate your comp rifle's trigger feel in the least.

 

[steve123]

Used to shoot a 6x47L which got 1600 rounds average per barrel. Times got tougher financially so this barrel I went with a prefit 6mmBR and hopefully I'll get 3000 rounds barrel life. Basically I don't have to pay for Smithing which saves $400 and doubled barrel life.

Compared - There's not much difference in drift, 6mmBR is more accurate, I practice more often now, and my go-to rifle is my trainer too. I shoot it without regard for barrel life whereas before barrel life was a concern.

223's are best for positional practice or off obstacles on the cheap at medium distances.

Yes, 22's are more about trigger time and having a different kind of fun.

 

[bschneiderheinze]

6mmbr is the bomb you can't mess up reloading for it extremely accurate and it's capable out 1100 at least. My 13 year old son hit the 1000 and 1100 target in a competition on Saturday in windy conditions. We both shoot 28" bartleins with origin actions and timney calvin elites. I have a 223 trainer but built it when I was shooting 6 creedmoor still fun to shoot inside 700 yards ( I can"t stabilize the heavy bullets)

 

[86alaskan]

I have a 22lr trainer and 223 trainer. I have gone the Tikka T3 route, so all my rifles have the exact same action profile. I have my 22lr trainer in a GRS stock, just like my 223 and 260rem. They have all been weighted to carry the same regardless of barrel weight. The 22lr is an excellent shooter allowing for good practice in the wind out to 2-300yds. After that I use the 223 for steel practice inside 800yds, then the 260 takes over. I have Vortex optics on all of them, and with the new PST's using the same reticle as the gen2 razor's it all makes it easy. From my view, the best trainer is one that matches your main rifle. But, the best training is practice in general, so use what you've got and get more rounds down range.

 

[DeftSystems]

I use a single shot airgun. Of course, my precision rifle is 5.56, so the barrier to practice is just making time to drive to the range. Pellet gun works off the back porch, as does dry firing.

 

[Erno86]

I've given up shooting my two AR 22 dedicated uppers...because of the danger of OOB's occurring with them.

Instead I use:

RWS Diana Model 54 Air King Recoilless in .177

Ruger 10-22

Yonkers Kimber Classic

Three BSA Martini Model 12/15's

And one BSA Martini Mark II International with a 5-25x50 Vortex Optics Viper Gen II PST - Second focal plane.

 

[frost1235]

Update on my end!

From my own searching I have noticed that a trainer rifle was primarily used for people who shot 2000+ rounds on their match rifles. At that point, it would justify the cost of a trainer equal to the match gun.

On that noise, definitely the use of a .22 or air rifle is the most cost effective for those who can get out to the range, just not as often.

Thank you to everyone!

 

[Strykervet]

I never understood the "trainer" concept. "Train as you fight" so use the rifle you plan on using. Use the money for barrels and ammo and shit. I suppose with very expensive rounds and/or barrels that burn out fast, maybe it's a good idea. But for a .223? .308? Why bother?

To me, "trainier" just means practice of fundamentals and that can be done with practically anything.

That's just my take on it, maybe some of you actually get something out of doing that way and if so, who am I to say?

 

[RTH1800]

I think a lot of us over think this stuff. Building, buying and trading rifles is fun. Also expensive. Any rifle or pistol shooting is beneficial if you are not getting kicked or too much blast. For actual training dry fireing is about as good or possibly better than live fire for many things.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I have a virtually identical pair of Savage 11VT rifles, differing only in chambering and optic (223/308, Bushnell AR Drop Zone BDC 223/308). Each is identically customized with EGW 20MOA Extended Base, Vortex 1" Medium Rings, Choate Tactical Stock (which includes a full length aluminum bedding block), Hawkeye Adjustable Cheek Piece, Choate LOP extenders, and aftermarket clone Bipods.

They both shoot very well for what are essentially factory rifles using factory ammunition.

But neither is what I consider a trainer rifle. The similarities allow the rifles to be used without significant regard to function in two different venues. IMHO, an identical trainer is probably a wasted opportunity; plowing match grade expense into a rifle that is limited in its use by potentially faulty logic. I think one should train and compete with the same physical rifle.

They are intended for use as F T/R entry level rifles; the 223 for MR/600yd, and the 308 for LR/1000yd. I think they serve these purposes very adequately.

Greg