Bolt gun trainer

[Odin Bravo One]

IMHO the best trainer for a bolt gun, is the bolt gun being used. Nothing will replicate that gun, and I think it would be pretty cost ineffective to set up a "trainer" gun in the EXACT configuration. For that kind of money, you can buy a lot of premium .308 ammo. A lot.

Position work, fundamentals, breathing, etc. can all be worked dry fire and be very effective. And unless you are going to relegate your big boy gun to shooting at 200 and in, a rimfire "trainer" isn't going to help you where it really matters at distance. I'm far from the sniper's sniper, but I have occasionally had to make long range shots that mattered. A .22 or .17 isn't helping me understand the in flight ballistics, reading/calling wind, mirage, leads and holds, etc. The only thing that will help me with that, is shooting the gun I intend on using for that purpose.

I'd take that money and buy a couple of cases of premium .308.

If you want a baby bolt gun because you want one, don't let me talk you out of it. But don't fool yourself into believing it is "training" either.

[JV_]

A .22 or .17 isn't helping me understand the in flight ballistics, reading/calling wind, mirage, leads and holds, etc.

I'm not sure I agree with you on this point. The drop chart of a .308 (175 SMK) inside of 400-450Y looks a lot like a .22LR at half the distance. They're very close in not only elevation but in wind drift.

At 200 Yards, a .22LR has about 15" of drift for a full value 10 mph wind. If you're not reading the wind correctly, that 2-4" spinner is tough to hit.

[Odin Bravo One]

We can disagree. Doesn't hurt my feelings. And I know it doesn't hurt yours.

I simply don't believe in the .22 for this purpose. AR, sure. Pistol, why not? Precision bolt gun........no. It will not replicate to any degree at the range where skill with a .308 becomes a matter of skill. That is well beyond 500 yards. Anything inside of that is a chip shot, and if you can't routinely hit those shots, then a .22 is definitely in order for basic marksmanship. I just think the OP is beyond that.

As I stated in my initial post, if sticking to shots at 200 yards and in, then a .22 could be useful. But if you are going to maximize the range of the system, you are best off training with that system. What starts happening (environmental, gravity, etc) to bullets at 700, 800, 900, and a grand don't occur at short range. Any time on the gun will improve a shooters mechanics, even if a .22LR. And I truly believe my years of committing genocide on the squirrel populations growing up taught me to read and call wind, with .22LR's. But again, it doesn't help with the fine points of long range target engagement and marksmanship. I stand by my position for more ammo over new gun.

But it's just my opinion. And worth what you paid for it.

[MDS]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. So I got the 308 as a decent gun to learn with. The problem is I don't have easy access to ranges longer than 100yd. So I never thought the 22lr would help with the more basic stuff like positions or whatever, I did think a good 22lr might let me develop some instincts about wind and trajectory with ammo where 100yd actually matters. I'm at the skill level where just running the free simulations at shooterready.com has already cleared up a little of the mystery. I expect my bolt gun class in November will help even more.

As for the fun factor of 22lr, I already have a 22lr bolt gun - a 1950's Marlin 81DL with which I can shoot minute-of-squirrel at 50yd. Plenty of fun in this gun, so my only perceived need for a more accurate 22lr is for training wind and bullet drop at short distances. Based on y'all's feedback, I'll hold off on the expense of a more accurate 22lr, and focus on shooting the 308 for groups at 100 with positions and breathing and etc., and take it to longer ranges when I get the chance.

Thanks again!

[JV_]

If you already have one, then I'd check out some of the drills described here:
http://www.6mmbr.com/rimfiretactical.html

[MDS]

If you already have one, then I'd check out some of the drills described here:
http://www.6mmbr.com/rimfiretactical.html

Cool targets, thanks! Unfortunately, there's no easy way to mount a scope on the Marlin, so it's tough to do precision stuff with it, at least for me...hopefully I'll hit the rifle range this week, I'll see what I can do with these drills at various distances.