Hello all,
I have been feeling the need to pick up a "trainer" lately. Coming into winter in Maine, it seems that I could benefit from some rimfire shooting, as setting targets up at 700-1000 yards is a damn chore in three feet of snow. Generally I just shoot 100-230 yards with my centerfire during the couple months when the snow is really deep, but it seems like at those ranges I could benefit from some wind reading practice with a rim fire.
Currently I have a couple options. I haven't shot a .22 with any seriousness in the past 13 years or so, but back then (as a teen) I built up a 10/22. It has a decent trigger job, a Green Mountain barrel, and Volquartsen stock. If I go this direction, at the minimum I will need to upgrade the stock (the VQ has a short LOP and a terrible sporter grip angle,) buy a 20 moa base, and have the barrel threaded for my Sparrow.
Next option would be a Savage TRR SR. Already has the stock ergonomics I'm looking for (shooting bipod prone,) already has a threaded barrel, and from what I have read, it shoots pretty well stock. Price wise, it's about the cheapest complete rifle I have looked at.
Up from there, the CZ 455 Precision Trainer looks really nice. I REALLY like that it has a Manners T4, which is obviously a big step up from a Boyd's Tacticool or whatever the wood stock is on the Savage. Downsides are that in addition to the higher price, I'd have to add on a thread job (or a new threaded barrel,) trigger components, a pic rail, and from what I read, DIP bottom metal. At that price point, it may be worth considering a;
Sako Quad. These seem to be a quality option in a Manners T4 or a McMilllan A5. A lilja barrel would be available if the stock one didn't shoot.
Probably wouldn't go much more expensive than that. The Black Ops 40x gun looks fantastic, but at that price point, it's tough to swallow.
All that said, I need some direction. Will I be happy with the 10/22's performance? I am not going to be entering this rifle into any benchrest competitions, but I do appreciate a good shooter. I remember the 10/22 shooting well, but that was back when I was a teenager and much easier impressed, now I am used to shooting an Accuracy International AX and am worried I might need more. Again the purpose is as a tactical trainer, but the value of the training seems negligible if the gun doesn't hold sub moa. Never mind that good .22 ammo costs almost as much as hand loads, so I will quickly lose interest if .30 cents a round doesn't hold moa.
Any input would be appreciated! I have read a fair amount of threads but no real comparisons and it is always hard to tell if what is "great performance" for some is the same as what I consider that to be. Before I go spending in any particular direction, I would like to hear some opinions.
Thanks,
-Bob
I have been feeling the need to pick up a "trainer" lately. Coming into winter in Maine, it seems that I could benefit from some rimfire shooting, as setting targets up at 700-1000 yards is a damn chore in three feet of snow. Generally I just shoot 100-230 yards with my centerfire during the couple months when the snow is really deep, but it seems like at those ranges I could benefit from some wind reading practice with a rim fire.
Currently I have a couple options. I haven't shot a .22 with any seriousness in the past 13 years or so, but back then (as a teen) I built up a 10/22. It has a decent trigger job, a Green Mountain barrel, and Volquartsen stock. If I go this direction, at the minimum I will need to upgrade the stock (the VQ has a short LOP and a terrible sporter grip angle,) buy a 20 moa base, and have the barrel threaded for my Sparrow.
Next option would be a Savage TRR SR. Already has the stock ergonomics I'm looking for (shooting bipod prone,) already has a threaded barrel, and from what I have read, it shoots pretty well stock. Price wise, it's about the cheapest complete rifle I have looked at.
Up from there, the CZ 455 Precision Trainer looks really nice. I REALLY like that it has a Manners T4, which is obviously a big step up from a Boyd's Tacticool or whatever the wood stock is on the Savage. Downsides are that in addition to the higher price, I'd have to add on a thread job (or a new threaded barrel,) trigger components, a pic rail, and from what I read, DIP bottom metal. At that price point, it may be worth considering a;
Sako Quad. These seem to be a quality option in a Manners T4 or a McMilllan A5. A lilja barrel would be available if the stock one didn't shoot.
Probably wouldn't go much more expensive than that. The Black Ops 40x gun looks fantastic, but at that price point, it's tough to swallow.
All that said, I need some direction. Will I be happy with the 10/22's performance? I am not going to be entering this rifle into any benchrest competitions, but I do appreciate a good shooter. I remember the 10/22 shooting well, but that was back when I was a teenager and much easier impressed, now I am used to shooting an Accuracy International AX and am worried I might need more. Again the purpose is as a tactical trainer, but the value of the training seems negligible if the gun doesn't hold sub moa. Never mind that good .22 ammo costs almost as much as hand loads, so I will quickly lose interest if .30 cents a round doesn't hold moa.
Any input would be appreciated! I have read a fair amount of threads but no real comparisons and it is always hard to tell if what is "great performance" for some is the same as what I consider that to be. Before I go spending in any particular direction, I would like to hear some opinions.
Thanks,
-Bob
