Help me build the perfect practice rifle

[Hooknbullet2]

I’m a fan of the 223. I have a Tikka T3X and find it to be a superb practice rifle.

 

[Rare Breed]

Obviously practicing with the rifle you’re going to hunt with is the best thing you can do. Realistically though most people can only handle a limited number of shots from heavier recoiling guns. There is great benefit to working on breath and trigger technique with lighter recoiling rifles. This is obviously a supplement to practicing with your actual hunting rifle not a replacement for that practice.

So I got to thinking what’s the perfect practice rifle? Ideally it should be a set up similar to your main gun in terms of safety position etc.

One candidate would be a quality bolt gun in .22 long rifle. Something like a Model 52. But I think I’d rather for with something centerfire partially because I enjoy reloading. Working up new loads would be an excuse to shoot more.

One of the centerfire 22 calibers would fill the bill but some of those suffer from short barrel life. My 375 is a Model 70 and I alway thought one in 220 Swift wood be a nice pairing but I’ve heard those burn out barrels quickly.

So if you were building the perfect lower recoiling practice rifle what would you go with?

I think it might be Briley but could be wrong. I thought I saw a 470 that had slip in 22 rifle sleeves that did what you are asking. I saw something like that on AH but can’t remember anything else about it

 

[AZDAVE]

Take some of what i practice with with a grain of salt as I have been a big bore guy since I was 14, a bit over 50 years ago. I consider a 9.3 or 375 recoil like most folks view a 7mm or 30 cal.
Every range session involves a 22LR. Have a CZ bolt gun set up with my correct LOP that matches my centerfires. Shot it from the bench and sticks have a scope, red dot and irons so that I can match what ever sight system I am using on my med or big bore.

I it is a med bore 375 or 9.3 I use a 30/06 with 180 gr so that it matches the drops from 50-300 that my 375 with 300gr and 9.3 with 286gr.

With my 416's us a 30/06 or 300 H&H with 220's

45, 50 and 577 just use what ever small center fire to work on form.

 

[steve white]

If you want to be obsessive about it, why not a smaller caliber in the same model, trigger, length of pull. Or, have a stock duplicated for the practice gun to match dimensions of big bore so it will at least shoulder the same. In a perfect world, you could lean every rifle you own up against the wall and the stocks would all have the same measurements.
Of course, you could just use light loads in the original rifle for practice. You could burn up some unwanted powder and bullets, since gilt edge accuracy is not required for practice.

 

[cmk]

If your "big boy" is a regular (and reasonably priced) bolt action, get a smaller one of the same make and model, with the same stock, trigger, safety, scope etc. A 270, 30-06, 300wm or similar would seem perfect, and they're also quite capable for much of the game 'back home' or on the African plains..

If the big boy is a switch-barrel system like the Blaser R93 or R8, Merkel Helix or similar, well... just get a barrel and bolt in a suitable calibre.

If you've strayed into the Land of Doubles, and now have a 470 that is too expensive or punishing (or both) to practice with.. dunno.. maybe you can find insert sleeves in 22 lr, maybe not. An extra set of barrels in e.g. 7x57R might cost a fortune.

 

[375Ruger416]

And don’t forget to dry fire. Using dummy rounds to train with one or two live rounds can be very helpful, especially if you have someone load the magazine for you.

 

[Sabre]

For a slightly different answer I would suggest a 300 blackout. Partially because they are just super fun, easy, almost non-existent recoil to shoot. Also, partially because you said that you like to reload and it has a wide range of different loads for someone who is into that.

I also agree with others on the 22 and the .223 or 5.56 in a bolt gun. And again, for something slightly different I would throw in a 17HMR.

I take a .22 bolt action with me almost anytime I am shooting a larger caliber at the range. If I start to notice my groups aren't as tight as normal, I will switch to the .22 and work on fundamentals until I am confident I have worked out any flinching.

When preparing for a trip I often will take a .22 and shoot a decent number of rounds in different positions like sitting, or off sticks, etc. Just to practice being in positions we might not use as frequently when at the range.

I definitely don't agree with anyone saying that practicing is not helpful or that it actually makes you worse. Literally no professional shooting group or person would ever subscribe to that theory.

There are a lot of nice .22 rifles out there to choose from. Sticking with one that is very similar to the gun you want to take is a nice idea. I have had a lot of different ones, I have really enjoyed the Bergara BMR for the value you get at their price point. Mine has been very accurate and fit and finish is very good. I have bought more expensive .22 rifles that aren't as accurate or smooth to shoot. But again, there are so many to choose from and many are very nice.

For 300 blackout or .223/5.56 rifles, I would consider the Ruger American. They are shockingly accurate for their price point. The gen 1 had less desirable fit and finish. But the gen 2 seems to have corrected those issues. But I have many of the Gen 1s as well, and every single one of them gets me a little mad at my more expensive guns for how accurate they are at such a low price point.

 

[375Ruger416]

I have a Ruger American rimfire in 17 HMR that is ridiculously accurate.

 

[Oldwavy]

For a practice rifle, I'd recommend a centerfire option to mimic your hunting rifle. Considering your Model 70 in.375, I'd suggest: -.223 Rem: gentle on barrels, accurate, and versatile for reloading. - 6mm Creedmoor: similar to.223 but slightly more potent.

 

[Red Leg]

Not practicing from sticks before arriving in Africa (or Europe or South America for that matter) is one of the most foolish things a client can do. It also seems to be a remarkably common occurrence. While duplicating one's intended hunting rifle is probably ideal, I do not think it is at all necessary. What is necessary is to become comfortable quickly settling into firing position and getting the shot off accurately regardless of the rifle in hand. That can be done with a .22, .223. .270, or the intended DG caliber. In fact, with rental rifles becoming ever more common regardless of destination, becoming comfortable with the basics regardless of firearm is actually probably a useful approach.

As others have noted, do not under estimate the value of dry firing your primary rifle. Most bolt actions do not require a dummy round unless the sight of it flying through the air inspires the soul. Always use a spring loaded primer dummy round with a double. It takes a lot of self discipline to effectively dry fire. A mental tool that I use whether on the range or in the gun room is to call the shot. If it is a technique you have not used, it is amazing how accurate you can become with regard to the impact point. It also tends to encourage follow through which is, I believe, hugely important in the field.

 

[R eight]

Not practicing from sticks before arriving in Africa (or Europe or South America for that matter) is one of the most foolish things a client can do. It also seems to be a remarkably common occurrence. While duplicating one's intended hunting rifle is probably ideal, I do not think it is at all necessary. What is necessary is to become comfortable quickly settling into firing position and getting the shot off accurately regardless of the rifle in hand. That can be done with a .22, .223. .270, or the intended DG caliber. In fact, with rental rifles becoming ever more common regardless of destination, becoming comfortable with the basics regardless of firearm is actually probably a useful approach.

As others have noted, do not under estimate the value of dry firing your primary rifle. Most bolt actions do not require a dummy round unless the sight of it flying through the air inspires the soul. Always use a spring loaded primer dummy round with a double. It takes a lot of self discipline to effectively dry fire. A mental tool that I use whether on the range or in the gun room is to call the shot. If it is a technique you have not used, it is amazing how accurate you can become with regard to the impact point. It also tends to encourage follow through which is, I believe, hugely important in the field.

Definitely….follow through …..is essential

 

[Green Chile]

I think every serious rifleman should have a serious rimfire rifle. For years I shot a Kimber Super America .22 from the sticks for at least 50 rounds for every centerfire round I practiced with when getting ready for hunting season. That rifle was snapped in half by Fed Ex recently (whole story unto itself).

Some of us here really like the Blaser R8 platform. I was late to the party as of about 1 year ago but have jumped in with enthusiasm. I can seriously recommend Blaser's R8 rimfire conversion kit...same rifle platform...same trigger...same weight, etc. It is an excellent training tool and you can get the kit in 22 mag, 22 LR, 17 HMR or even 22 Hornet. Some guys prefer the .223 Rem barrel for practice and that's fine too. Do as you will with my advice but I wish I would have gone this direction sooner.

 

[Laniarius]

I agree that it's nice to have to have similar or the same action for practice and consistency. My main hunting rifles are a Ruger Hawkeye and a Model 70: pretty much the same to operate. And I like using a Mossberg semi auto shotgun with a tang safety just like my over under.

But from my admittedly limited experience, I found it didn't make much of a difference, at least for a plains game hunt without stressful shooting situations. I ended up not taking a personal rifle on my only Africa hunt to date. The camp rifle I used was a Sauer 202, with an action pretty different from my rifles. On a couple occasions it was prudent to do a quick second shot, and I found the general muscle memory of working a bolt action was good enough. I was able to cycle the bolt fast enough.

For a deliberate effort to build or set up a practice rifle, I'd also want to have something similar to my main rifle(s) but it could be difficult depending on what your main rifle is. For mine, the only similar 22 LR I'm aware is the discontinued Ruger 77/22 in 22 LR. A nice CZ or other 22 bolt action would still help practice fundamentals even though the safety and loading are completely different. Like others mentioned, I like the idea of a .223 in a rifle similar to my big game rifles, but I haven't got around to that yet.

Basically, I'm partly but not completely agreeing with Ontario. (Coincidentally I live in that same Province.)

 

[VertigoBE]

Not practicing from sticks before arriving in Africa (or Europe or South America for that matter) is one of the most foolish things a client can do. It also seems to be a remarkably common occurrence. While duplicating one's intended hunting rifle is probably ideal, I do not think it is at all necessary. What is necessary is to become comfortable quickly settling into firing position and getting the shot off accurately regardless of the rifle in hand. That can be done with a .22, .223. .270, or the intended DG caliber. In fact, with rental rifles becoming ever more common regardless of destination, becoming comfortable with the basics regardless of firearm is actually probably a useful approach.

As others have noted, do not under estimate the value of dry firing your primary rifle. Most bolt actions do not require a dummy round unless the sight of it flying through the air inspires the soul. Always use a spring loaded primer dummy round with a double. It takes a lot of self discipline to effectively dry fire. A mental tool that I use whether on the range or in the gun room is to call the shot. If it is a technique you have not used, it is amazing how accurate you can become with regard to the impact point. It also tends to encourage follow through which is, I believe, hugely important in the field.

@Red Leg, would you be so kind to perhaps write a little more about the "call-the-shot" technique? I have not yet read about this.

 

[VertigoBE]

I've often wanted to reply to your usual drivel, however what's the point?
In this case though, your post demands a response....

Ontario, when you dispense your wisdom and advice to the forum, you cannot know for certain the experience or skill level of the readers. Therefore, when a novice hunter, or a seasoned hunter with no African exposure, reads your advice it's possible they will read it as established fact.
The reader might not realize that you are indeed "The Finest Most Best-tus Most Accomplished Most Greatest White North Hunter" the forum, indeed the civilized world, has ever witnessed.
To even stand in your shadow is a privilege.
In the past, you've made it clear that practicing from the sticks is a "fools errand", and we've all been in awe of your innate ability to shoot, anything, anywhere, any distance, for any reason.
However....
Mr Ontario, I'm begging you to consider that everyone reading this forum, has not been gifted with your experience, your wisdom, and your desire to teach and share as you have....

Perhaps if we had all been privileged to start our hunting journey with a rifle that "Dad built", we might be better, more tolerant people, just like you.
Perhaps if we had the skills to assemble 'The Legendary 404 Jeff" from the very detritus of the Industrial Revolution, and indeed a World War, we all might be as accomplished as you are.
Perhaps if we all shared an unhealthy fixation, some might say fetish, regarding an old shotgun, we might be as well adjusted as you clearly are.

No question, I will be sorry that I've attempted to impart my meager opinions onto such a "Giant of the African Hunting Community".

Now to the OP..
In my opinion, you should practice from the sticks with a .22 rimfire. Fire a minimum of 500 rounds from the sticks, bench rest is for checking zero and ballistics. You must be training, training to shoot accurately and quickly from a platform that Americans are not often exposed to. After 500 shots, foot placement, height of the sticks, grasping the forend/stick cradle, and most importantly the sight picture while shooting from sticks will become effortless.
This is training, not practice.

Good Luck
Denvir Tire signing off

And it's actually a bit tragic that he continues writing again and again about these same topics, as everyone stops reading his posts because of this, while @Ontario Hunter has shown on occasion profound and wide knowledge about certain specific technical or historical topics.