Author Topic: Practice Rifle (Read 1167 times)

Bart Solo · « **on:** December 28, 2004, 05:00:54 PM »

I have been considering buying either a 22 rimfire or a 223 as a practice rifle. I would put a scope on the rifle and use it to sharpen my shooting skills. Frankly, the ammunition for a 22 can be had for about 1/4th the cost of 223 (if bought in bulk) but I think the quality of the practice would be at least 4 times as great. I have a hunch that there would not be too much difference in price between a reasonably accurate 22 and a reasonably accurate 223. Of course if I find a range that does small bore sillouette shooting a 22 would be the only option.

What would you suggest?

Sask_Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2004, 06:35:18 PM »

i practice with all me big game rifles, it helps alot when the chips are down. having said that i want to get a good 22 for more triger time.

Ramrod · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2004, 02:17:53 AM »

Take a look at the CZ 527. I have the American model in .223 and I'm as happy as a clam with it. Great adjustable set trigger on it. Also they make a nice .22, the model 452.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2004, 02:38:49 AM »

You can get a great marlin or savage 22lr for under $200.00.

Bart Solo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:10:35 AM »

PA Joe,

Great advice. For about $350 I should be able to get into a decent target 22 with a good scope. If I go with the 223 the rig could cost $600 to $700 easy.

Very economical.

Ramrod, who sells the CZ 527?

mountainview · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:42:23 AM »

Ron,

Consider getting both now or individually as the finances permit. I love the 22 RF for dirt cheap plinking and short range practice while the 223 is great for varminting and longer range practice and introducing youngsters to centerfire rifles. My 223 is inexpensive to shoot, even with premium components in handloads, cost is on par or less than the bulk and imported ammo. The 223 is more expensive than a 22 RF but look around now since it is end of the season and there are sales at many places where you can get a new 223 for less than you would otherwise.

Safe shooting.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:56:34 AM »

For the 223 you can get a nice NEF or H&R for around $250. They are break open single shots but that is all you realy need.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2004, 07:51:35 AM »

It is hard to beat a .22 rimfire for training, practice and price. A couple of days before Christmas our grandson paid us a visit. He was more then ready to get some safety and practice time in. The rifle of choice was a .22 rimfire, bolt action that my wife gave me many years ago. I have glass bedded the action and installed a 4X scope on it.

Using appropriately sized targets downloaded off of the Remington Website we had a fun day.

My hunting buddy shots bricks of .22 shells. And it pays off during deer season. We hunt country that gives us shots from a few yards out to a few hundred yards. I have been awarded with the practice gained from shooting a .22 rimfire. I downsize my targets to fit the range and rifle. The fundamentals with both large and small caliber rifles are the same. I can remember during the Vietnam War the military using BB guns to teach some basic snap shooting skills.

A while back I was in a gun store that had a bunch of old .22 rifles stacked in a corner. Pretty they were not. But many a shooter. It is amazing how a little glass bedding can improve those rifles on the range.

I have an old .22 that my brother-in-law had in Alaska before it became a State. The accuracy is fair but I will bed the action one of these days. I know I will pass it on to the grandkids someday.

Ramrod · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2004, 11:14:15 AM »

Quote from: Ron Byers

Ramrod, who sells the CZ 527?

Gander Mountain is where I got mine, cost $488.00. The website lists dealers by state.
Try clicking this link..
http://www.cz-usa.com/
Then look for the "Where To Buy" button at the top.

Val · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2004, 04:47:14 AM »

Why are clams considered happy?

Bart Solo · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2004, 06:17:34 PM »

Quote from: Val

Why are clams considered happy?

Because they are so dumb they don't know when they are about to be eaten.

I have pretty much decided that I really want both a good target 22 and a 223. Now which ones and how to scope them. Most important how to buy them without my wife finding out. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

clyde72 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2005, 11:53:38 AM »

Quote

Most important how to buy them without my wife finding out

:shock:

If you figure that one out, let me know :grin:

Gregory · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2005, 12:01:05 PM »

Ron Byers

If possible, I'd get the 223 in the same rifle as my big game outfit.

Bart Solo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2005, 07:26:14 PM »

My current deer rifle is a Remington 788. Don't think I'll find a 788 in 223 but I might. Actually I might want to start thinking about a different deer rifle. The 788 is getting old, but then again, so am I. The problem is that right now I don't know what to buy. Remington and Sako have safety issues. Winchester is owned by the French. I am not sure Ruger is worth a damn. They look good, but to be in my safe a gun has to do one thing-shoot. I am not so sure Rugers shoot all that well. Unless you get a Mark V, Weatherby's offering is just a rebranded Howa. Never shot a Howa so I don't know if they are any good. Hear they are ok but kinda cheap. Browning -- you either love or hate them. Savages shoot great but look like walmart specials especially in the synthetic stock. I don't have thousands for a custom rifle or a Kimber or a Mark V. Even if I did, I am not sure I would want to take a fancy piece of furniture into the woods. Unless you buy a Savage just about any modern rifle is going to have to go to a gunsmith for a trigger adjustment before the first live round is fired. Anyway from following this site and reading others I am not so sure there is anything out there that really passes muster.

Actually I lean toward Remington, but then again why should you spend 500 on a rifle and have to take it to a gunsmith for a replacement trigger. Maybe I will get a Savage. That is what I just bought my son for Christmas -- it shoots out of the box.

Val · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2005, 12:18:02 PM »

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Just got back from Las Vegas and made several trips to the new Pro Bass store. Several of my Nevada nephews want to buy their first hunting rifles and we went to look at the offerings (pretty extensive). I looked at some Savages with wooden stocks and they looked pretty good to me. Of course I own two Savages and even the ones with the synthetic stocks don't look ugly to me.

azshooter · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2005, 12:30:43 PM »

Quote from: Ron Byers

My current deer rifle is a Remington 788. Don't think I'll find a 788 in 223 but I might. Actually I might want to start thinking about a different deer rifle. The 788 is getting old, but then again, so am I. The problem is that right now I don't know what to buy. Remington and Sako have safety issues. Winchester is owned by the French. I am not sure Ruger is worth a damn. They look good, but to be in my safe a gun has to do one thing-shoot. I am not so sure Rugers shoot all that well. Unless you get a Mark V, Weatherby's offering is just a rebranded Howa. Never shot a Howa so I don't know if they are any good. Hear they are ok but kinda cheap. Browning -- you either love or hate them. Savages shoot great but look like walmart specials especially in the synthetic stock. I don't have thousands for a custom rifle or a Kimber or a Mark V. Even if I did, I am not sure I would want to take a fancy piece of furniture into the woods. Unless you buy a Savage just about any modern rifle is going to have to go to a gunsmith for a trigger adjustment before the first live round is fired. Anyway from following this site and reading others I am not so sure there is anything out there that really passes muster.

Actually I lean toward Remington, but then again why should you spend 500 on a rifle and have to take it to a gunsmith for a replacement trigger. Maybe I will get a Savage. That is what I just bought my son for Christmas -- it shoots out of the box.

I don't know why you think Rugers won't shoot. My 1 year old Model 77 in .223 easily shoots sub 1 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards. The limiting factor is me not the gun. The only problem with standard Rugers is their heavy trigger pull. If you want a great shooter with a great trigger buy a Savage with accutrigger. Best value out there and can easily compete with Rem/Win/Sako/Ruger for a lot less $$$. SAvage is American made to boot. If you like many think they are ugly - well I say learn to deal with it, I shoot a black match rifle too and the target doesn't care what your gun looks like.

Terrible Tom · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2005, 03:01:46 AM »

I hunt with a 30-year old Ruger M77 in 30-06 and it shoots better than I do. I practice with a Savage MkII-BV (heavy barrel 22LR) that will literally drive tacks. I did quite a bit of reading before I chose the Savage.

I don't know where you got your opinion of Ruger, but in my experience Ruger makes as fine a bolt action rifle as anyone.

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2005, 04:35:26 AM »

It depends on your objectives for the practice. If you want to learn about long range riflery, which includes dealing with mirage and wind, then the 223 is the answer. If you're just working on skill with positions and fundamentals, then the 22 is better if you limit your range.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2005, 01:57:06 PM »

To many year's ago, while living in Montana, a friend of mine had a 22 Hornet. When we wanted to shoot gopher's, he'd use 40 gr jacketed bullet's. For just plinking around, he'd shoot cast bullet's. He made them out of wheel weight's usually. Sometimes he'd use soft lead to which he added tin tooth paste tubes to harden it. Myself, I've shot many many cast bullet's from 38 specials and 32 long. Using wheel weight's and/or linotype (if you can find it) it's cheaper than 22 rimfire's and just as accurate. Just remember that loads in excess of about 900fps need gas check's to prevent leading in the bore. Bullet casting is a hoot!

Don Fischer · « **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2005, 02:04:25 PM »

Clyde72,

Just buy a new carpet for the living room and have it rolled up inside. Then when it come's pretend to be outraged, grab the gun and set it out of sight. After it's out of site for a while, move it to the gun case, you probally have so many she won't even notice it. If she does, mention that you think she really does need a new dress. This ploy or a few similar one's have worked with all three of my ex-wives at least twice each!