The world of competitive shooting, particularly in disciplines like rifle marksmanship, has long been dominated by centerfire cartridges like the .308 Winchester. However, a recent trend is seeing a surge in the use of rimfire cartridges, specifically the ubiquitous .22 Long Rifle (.22LR), for training purposes. This growth in rimfire training reflects an increasing recognition of the unique advantages .22LR offers for honing skills and preparing for centerfire competition success.
The Allure of Affordability
One of the most significant factors driving the rimfire training trend is cost. Centerfire ammunition, especially for high-performance competition loads, can be expensive. A box of .22LR can be purchased for a fraction of the price of its centerfire counterpart, allowing shooters to significantly increase their practice volume without breaking the bank. This translates to more trigger time, a crucial element in developing muscle memory, refining sight picture, and mastering trigger control – all fundamental skills that translate seamlessly to centerfire shooting.
Focus on Fundamentals
The .22LR’s lower recoil compared to most centerfire calibers offers another training advantage. With less felt recoil, shooters can focus on proper form, breath control, and consistent trigger pulls without the distraction of anticipating the heavier kick of a centerfire round. This allows for a more deliberate and focused approach to practicing fundamentals, which can then be applied to centerfire competition with greater confidence and accuracy. Follow-through errors also show up more with rimfire ammunition due to the slower velocities.
Transferable Skills
While the ballistics of .22LR and centerfire cartridges differ, the core shooting skills developed with rimfire translate effectively to centerfire shooting. Marksmanship principles like sight alignment, target acquisition, and understanding wind drift remain constant. Additionally, mastering trigger control with the lighter pull of a .22LR can lead to smoother and more precise trigger breaks on centerfire rifles. These transferable skills help shooters adapt quickly to the transition between calibers, minimizing the learning curve and maximizing performance in centerfire matches.
Technological Advancements
The recent growth of rimfire training also coincides with advancements in rimfire rifles, optics, and ammunition technology. High-velocity and match-grade .22LR ammunition offer improved accuracy and consistency, allowing shooters to simulate centerfire performance at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, the rise of affordable and accurate rimfire rifles and optics further promotes the use of .22LR as a viable training platform. Today competitors have custom 22LR full-size trainer rifles available from Bergara USA and Vudoo Gun Works that are built on a Remington 700 platform. These rifles can be paired with adjustable stocks/chassis and scopes that match their centerfire competition rigs.
Building a Strong Foundation
Using rimfire for training isn’t intended to entirely replace centerfire practice. Centerfire rifles have distinct recoil characteristics, and understanding how to manage them effectively is crucial for success in competition. Additionally, mastering the ballistics of the larger caliber is essential for long-range shooting. Rimfire training offers a cost-effective way to develop a strong foundation in shooting fundamentals and build upon those skills later with centerfire cartridges. Think of rimfire practice as building muscle memory and refining technique before adding the extra power and recoil of a centerfire round.
22LR Comparison with 308 Win
While a direct comparison isn’t entirely accurate, exploring similarities between shooting a .22LR at 300 yards and a .308 at 900 yards can reveal interesting insights into elevation and wind drift. For example, the elevation holdovers for a common 40-grain 22LR subsonic match ammo load are 1 mil at 75 yards, 2 mils at 100 yards, 3 mils at 125 yards, 4 mils at 140 yards, and 5 mils at 150 yards. For comparison, the holdovers for a standard 168gr .308 Win factory match load are 1 mil at 240 yards, 2 mils at 340 yards, 3 mils at 426 yards, 4 mils at 504 yards, and 5 mils at 577 yards. From this data, you can see that shooting a 22LR rifle at 100 yards is similar to shooting a 308 at 340 yards, and shooting a 22LR at 150 yards is similar to a 308 at 577 yards in terms of elevation adjustments. This is especially true if you shoot at the smaller size targets that are common with rimfire.
In terms of wind drift, the 22 LR can be an effective substitute for a .308 Win during training. Because the smaller bullet drifts more in the wind, a 22LR rimfire shooter will experience roughly the same crosswind effects as if he was shooting a 175gr .308 twice as far out. So, rimfire work can teach you to dope the wind like a .308, but at less than half the distance. Shooting a 22 LR at 100 yards is like shooting a .308 at 230 yards. Both drift nearly four inches in a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Shooting a 22 LR at 200 yards is like shooting a .308 at 440 yards. Those are the comparable distances at which both 22 LR and .308 Win bullets are pushed roughly 14 and a half inches.
Rimfire Competition Growth
The final puzzle piece of the growth in rimfire training is the rapid growth of organized competitions like NRL22 (National Rifle League 22) and PRS rimfire (Precision Rifle Series rimfire). These organizations offer structured match series across the country, providing a platform for shooters to test their skills, compete with others, and learn from more experienced competitors. NRL22 and PRS rimfire matches typically involve multiple stages with varying target sizes, distances, and shooting positions, mirroring the challenges encountered in real-world scenarios and centerfire competition. This format not only simulates practical applications but also fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among participants. The accessibility of these competitions at more moderate ranges further contributes to the increased participation in these competitions, and further fueling the popularity of precision rimfire shooting.
The Future of Training?
The growing adoption of rimfire training reflects a shift in competitive shooting. Shooters are recognizing the value of a balanced approach, utilizing affordable rimfire practice to develop core skills and reserving limited centerfire ammunition for final competition preparation and confirmation of zeroing. This trend is likely to continue, paving the way for a new generation of competitive shooters with a strong foundation built on the humble .22LR.
