Trainer?

[Gobears16]

So I’ve been bitten by the custom bolt gun craze and want to build a trainer so I don’t burn out my newly built 28nosler. What’s everyones thoughts on a .223 trainer built to the same specs as my hunting rifle or buy a vudoo .22 built with the same specs? What would you guys build? Is the .223 better for practice out to 1000 or would the .22lr be better for practice out to 200ish? I’m new to all this so if this is idiotic please don’t hold back on criticism.

 

[spife7980]

Do both.

I shoot my 223 way more than anything else, I developed a load with 75 elds and from 1-800 its a blast. 1000 yards gets tricky but Ive done it.

My 22s only get shot at 100 yards but thats for a different discipline than field shooting.


I say, if you reload go 223. If youre buying factory ammo then go for the 22.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I have a vudoo set up as close to my match AI as possible. And I have a .308 barrel for my AI. Even if I could run .223 on my AI, I’d run .308.

My reasoning is, the .308 will exploit weaknesses in my position when I’m not correctly behind the gun.

Vudoo for super cheap training ammo, and .308 for still cheap ammo that recoils.

 

[patriot07]

I tried the 223 thing. It really doesn't give you very good practice for much larger calibers. The 223 gets blown around by the wind like crazy at longer ranges.

But if you're wanting a trainer for sure, then the 223 is a much better option than a 22.

I'd consider something like a 6.5 though, if it was me.

 

[pucker]

I tried the 223 thing. It really doesn't give you very good practice for much larger calibers. The 223 gets blown around by the wind like crazy at longer ranges.

But if you're wanting a trainer for sure, then the 223 is a much better option than a 22.

I'd consider something like a 6.5 though, if it was me.

Isn't that the idea? My 22 trainer needs wind correction at 100yds on most days...something my 260 obviously wouldn't.

Nothing beats practicing at match distance, with your match rifle...but a trainer assumes you're trying to do it closer and/or cheaper.

 

[Sutherlandsd]

My vote for trainer is 6BR, low powder cost and almost infinite brass life, much closer to the reality of a match rifle and can in fact be used as one.

 

[Gobears16]

I like the idea of having to judge wind as that’s what seems to be the hardest thing to learn. With a .22 at 100yds the wind seems it’d push a bullet around similar to larger calibers at 750-1000yards.

The 6br and 6 creedmoor seem like other great options that I could double as Varmit guns too.

 

[isofahunter]

I had an exact replica of my 6.5cm made in 22lr with a voodoo action down to the color. At 300y it replicates a 308 at 1000y and a 6.5 at 1500y. Burn through 50 100 rounds trying stuff you might hesitate to do with a bigger rifle to work out kinks then shoot 308 or 6.5 to verify your training.

 

[patriot07]

Isn't that the idea? My 22 trainer needs wind correction at 100yds on most days...something my 260 obviously wouldn't.

Nothing beats practicing at match distance, with your match rifle...but a trainer assumes you're trying to do it closer and/or cheaper.

I will also say that you can buy a lot of powder, bullets, and barrels for what an entire 2nd rifle/brass/dies/scope/bipod/stock/etc. costs.

And IMHO, there is no sub for knowing your gun. I know my 6.5 like the back of my hand. When it heats up in the summer, I know where POI starts moving. I know winter also, which is a little different. I know how speed changes as a string gets long, and with temp. You don’t get any of that if you are shooting a different gun to train on.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

there are some very accurate factory 22 lr out there for under $1000. Those a re good option for just practicing fundamentals w/o recoil management for !10 cents per round.

223 is great for that 200-600ish yard range and ~30 to 50 cents per round. Even though recoil is pretty low with a 223, so still need to apply it to shoot accurately. Shoot your 223 like you would your 28 nosler, except maybe you don't need quite as much reward pressure of the firing hand bringing the rifle into the shoulder pocket. Get out and shoot your 223 in the wind! Then verify your 28 nosler is the same conditions.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

In the end it all about muscle memory, so the more reps you get the better. Dry firing is also something you should do a lot, like a lot a lot

 

[Banango]

I run a 223 trainer but it's for my 6 dasher and 25 creed. Dunno how much help 223 will be with a 28 nosler

 

[pucker]

I will also say that you can buy a lot of powder, bullets, and barrels for what an entire 2nd rifle/brass/dies/scope/bipod/stock/etc. costs.

And IMHO, there is no sub for knowing your gun. I know my 6.5 like the back of my hand. When it heats up in the summer, I know where POI starts moving. I know winter also, which is a little different. I know how speed changes as a string gets long, and with temp. You don’t get any of that if you are shooting a different gun to train on.

Agree with the 'one rifle' sentiment, hence saying "nothing beats...".

And good point on the cost... buying a full V-22 setup isn't cheap, and neither are Lapua/Eley rounds you're likely to fire in it.

That said, the 22 rimfire has more uses than just PRS training.... rimfire matches, train new shooters (kids, etc.), and as I mentioned, if you don't have ready access to 500+ yd ranges, rimfire allows practice of fundamentals at those shorter ranges, including wind calls. Unless in load development, hammering away at <200yd targets with a 6.5 isn't providing much in the way of training. Might as well just dry-fire in the living room.

And I enjoy reloading as much as the next guy...but a 200 rd rimfire range session doesn't come with a subsequent time commitment. This is huge for some (incl me at this point in life).

Anyways, my .02 as someone who finds himself shooting more since having a 22 trainer...and thoroughly enjoying it.

 

[702lineman]

I shoot a dasher, and have a custom 700 223 trainer and a 22lr cz452. Here is my opinion.

If you only have a short range that is close to you go 22lr. I have shot mine out to 420 yards but if you have 100-300 at your house or close by it is very handy and will really make you pay attention to what the wind is doing from 100 yards on out.

If you can shoot past 300 close by go 223. Reason being is its actually pretty amazing what a 223 can do with the right ammo. I shoot 75 eld and just shot a match with it and the gun didnt hold me back at all. Had 2 hits at 1085 and 2 hits at 1008 yards. I actually like shooting this gun as much or more than my dasher. Very fun. Matches 500 yards or less I'll be taking this gun for sure.

My final thought. Build a nice 223 and get you a cz455 or a savage mark 2. You can pick up a cz for 400-500 and a savage for 200. They both shoot great and you can get the same benefits as a voodoo. Practice building positions and watching wind.