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 (.22 LR), for training purposes. This growth in rimfire training reflects an increasing recognition of the unique advantages .22 LR 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 .22 LR 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 .22 LR’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 .22 LR 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 .22 LR 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 .22 LR 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 .22 LR as a viable training platform. Today competitors have custom .22 LR 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.
.22 LR Comparison to the .308
While a direct comparison isn’t entirely accurate, exploring similarities between shooting a .22 LR 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 .22 LR 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 168-grain .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 .22 LR rifle at 100 yards is similar to shooting a .308 at 340 yards, and shooting a .22 LR 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 .22 LR rimfire shooter will experience roughly the same crosswind effects as if he was shooting a 175-grain .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 1/2 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 .22 LR.
This article originally appeared at RimfireAddiction.com and is reprinted here with permission.
Red Ryder.
Cheaper.
I believe the Red Ryder was used as an inexpensive traing aid, by the military up to the Vietnam War. Certainly during WW2.
Back during the first ammo shortage I bought .177 cal pellet guns for practice.
Haven’t looked back.
The “experts” in the “gun community” tell me that the 22lr is a terrible self-defense round.
But it sure is effective at killing innocent people, in mass shootings all over the world.
In fact Muslim terrorists killed several hundred people in I think Bangladesh, using AK47s chambered in 22lr.
^^^ does not know the difference between a defensive round (stopping a threat ASAP), and an offensive round (bushwhacking)?
Seems possible…
Putting a bunch of low recoil rounds into the chest or head of an unwitting victim even 22 short could do a lot of damage. Stopping a drug fueled tweaker …….. bigger holes faster bleed in large numbers preferred. With that said would take 22 over a knife for most situations.
You better ask Mossad about that considering they are the experts in using subsonic 22lr for both offensive and defensive operations.
Boy, that was weird! Tried to call Mossad, and Vladimir picked up the phone.
The Ruger 1022 with it’s old fashioned wooden stock, is officially a “weapon of war.”
And a very effective one too. Just go ask the Israelis.
There’re shooting that “worthless” and “low power” 22 long rifle ammunition.
a .22 can be effectively silenced…useful in some operations
If I spend $ going to the range(no outdoor available)it needs to count with recoil & the smell of gunpowder. I did “learn” to shoot with 22’s but being 10 or 11 it didn’t stick🙄
military…especially the Air Force…like to qualify with those .22 inserts….
Just a suggestion. With the CMMG 22lr conversion tool. And your AR15. Take a new shooter to the range. And rent a suppressor.
They and you will have lots of fun. And your ears will be just fine. 🙂
That AR15 will no longer be “so scary” to them. A Franklin Armory would be nice too.
LOL! My AR is illegal in Illinois. So are suppressors in this chit state🙄
Sometimes we must plant trees for which we will never enjoy the shade.
sometimes you will never enjoy the shade because the government comes along and chops down your trees.
Gotta start somewhere and be it planting or removal of ability to cut both are needed and may take longer than we have to see happen.
That’s why, as Jefferson said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
Its gonna be ‘refreshing’ time if Comrade Kamunista doesn’t go away…. millions of patriots somewhere are thinking as they think about loading up standard capacity magazines.
I bought a M&P AR-15/22 for exactly that purpose. Used it to train the Mrs., Son and DIL on the operation of the AR-15. Once they were familiar with the operation protocols of the AR platform they quickly transitioned to the AR-15.
Glad your Mrs, DiL, and rotten crotch fruit were able to decipher the complex ‘operation protocols’ of an AR. You must be proud.
Chris, I agree about the CMMG conversion kit. I have one in an AR, also fitted with a red dot and light, and it makes for a super backyard varmint gun. CCI Segmented Quiets shoot into an inch at 35 yards with this rig, although they don’t have the oomph to cycle the action. I seldom need a quick follow-up shot, as the local raccoon population can attest.
My earlier comment about Red Ryders aside, this is a very good article.
One nice thing about shooting 22s at long range is watching the bullets home in on the target.
used to be standard fare for most rifle teams…putting a .22 cal.bullet through a .22 cal. hole can be quite demanding
Spare no expense when it comes to your .22 LR firearms. Rifle, or handgun. I own more firearms chambered in .22 LR than any other caliber and that’s saying something. I’ll buy a twenty two before you can say, “Don’t do it!”
Here too. My favorite days at the range includes two or three 22 lr rifles and a 22 handgun or two. Along with some newer rifles like CZs and a Tikka I have a collection of BSA Martinis and older Anschutzs. 22lrs are used by many of the world’s air marshals because they limit the potential damage and, of course are a favorite for wet works by the world’s security agencies, for example Israel at least used to use suppressed Beretta 71 Jaguars, so yes they are a serious cartridge.
Israel liked those AK-22’s…got one with select-fire i’m thinking about selling
Saw a guy take a hipshot at a running boar w/ a Nylon 66 – the only animal I have ever seen that died *instantly* without so much a twitch. Hit him behind the shoulder, and the hog just plowed a furrow. Dressed over 200.
But that is really an unusual result…
My theory is the hog happened to die of natural causes at the exact moment the bullet hit him.
Israel liked those AK-22’s…got one with select-fire i’m thinking about selling
anti-Castro Cubans once used the nylon 66
XZX, naturally dead from a GSW.
About half his head was gone on one side – probably from snake bite. First time I saw him I couldn’t believe he was living. Looked fine from one side, other side was nothing but skull. 6 months later, he looked the same. Making it pretty good for a old one-eye. Tasted good too…
The UK SARMY has been using .22LR ever since ADAM was a lad for Basic training I seem to remember back in the day the .22LR Training Rifle was the No7 though we never ever trained with SCOPES. The No 7 was a run up to the LEE-ENFIELD No4. and was actually very accurate for a training Rifle. The UK MILITARY at the time did not train with SCOPES but they were introduced as ”STANDARD INFANTRY as the SUIT [Sight Unit Infantry Trilux[ on the NATO 7.62 SLR and as the SUSAT [ Sight Unit Small-Arms Trilux] for the NATO 5.56 SA80.
When the UK Army transitioned to the NATO 7.52 SLR and Later the NATO 5.56 SA80 they both had .22LR inserts for Training purposes. There is also a CADET VERSION of the SA80 which is a single shot Semi-Auto in both NATO 5.56 and with an Insert .22LR
Go away Leslie. Despite your past posts indicating; claims of you having served in all branches of the U.K. military, some how within an ~20 year period, and to have even fought in WWI using a rifle the U.K. military did not issue and claiming to have been a firearms instructor training recruits on rifle not in U.K. military issue.
… and now you lie once again.
The No. 7 was not a “a run up to the LEE-ENFIELD No4.”
Ya have problems counting too I see.
The end of WWII saw the production of the rifle No. 6, an experimental Australian version of the No. 5, and later the No. 7, No. 8, and No. 9, all of which were .22 rimfire trainers.
Rifle No. 4 AKA the ‘Lee–Enfield rifle’ AKA ‘LEE-ENFIELD No4′ was produced shortly AFTER WWI and was adopted in 1939 just after the beginning of WWII.
In other words, No. 7 WAS NOT a “a run up to the LEE-ENFIELD No4.” and could not have been because it was produced AFTER the “LEE-ENFIELD No4”
Ya know, that “LEE-ENFIELD No4’ that you in past posts had claimed you were issued in the U.K. military to fight with in WWI, (at supposedly age 14) and had claimed to train recruits on, a rifle that was not even in production until after WWI.
Keep your BS lies in the U.K.
and now this SUIT nonsense…
You wrote this:
“The No 7 was a run up to the LEE-ENFIELD No4. and was actually very accurate for a training Rifle. The UK MILITARY at the time did not train with SCOPES but they were introduced as ”STANDARD INFANTRY as the SUIT [Sight Unit Infantry Trilux[…”
Some background:
The SUIT sight is a 4× prism sight with tritium-powered illumination, the full name is the L2A2 Sight Unit Infantry Trilux. It was developed in the U.K. by Royal Armaments Research Development Establishment (RARDE) and is manufactured by Avimo Ltd. (now known as ‘Thales UK’). It was first produced in 1976 by Avimo Ltd. in London.
But:
You said this…
“The No 7…” then “The UK MILITARY at the time did not train with SCOPES but they were introduced as ”STANDARD INFANTRY as the SUIT [Sight Unit Infantry Trilux[…”
The pattern for the No.7 rifle was adopted in 1948.
The U.K. military ‘at the time’ of the No.7 could not have had the “SUIT’ (sight) as it was not even produced until 1976.
If you are going to spew lies and BS, at least get the timing and context right.
“There is also a CADET VERSION of the SA80 which is a single shot Semi-Auto in both NATO 5.56 and with an Insert .22LR”
There is no such thing as a “CADET VERSION of the SA80 which is a single shot Semi-Auto in both NATO 5.56 and with an Insert .22LR”
OK, since I need to come down a simple version for this because you obviously do not know the difference: A single shot rifle is not a semi-auto rifle. A single shot rifle is a single round chambering by manual manipulation (e.g. ‘use’) of the chambering mechanism (e.g. ‘bolt’) by the individual (AKA ‘manually-operated’). A semi-auto rifle is single round chambering by the rifle designed action due to firing and does not require user interaction to chamber the round (chambering not ‘manually-operated’).
Is that simple enough for you? I mean, this was explained to in the past by myself and others so maybe that was too complicated then for your ‘firearms expert’ mind.
You got it screwed up, something I think a self-proclaimed ‘I served in the U.K. military (see post above)’ firearms expert and trainer would have known as its ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY BETWEEN THE TWO types.
The L98A1 Cadet rifle, a derivation version of the SA80, is produced as a manually-operated single shot and not semi-auto. This L98A1 was phased out of use in 2009 and was replaced with the L98A2 (AKA ‘L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle’ – the GP stands for ‘General Purpose’). The L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle is a magazine-fed, semi-auto rifle based on the British Armed forces L85A1 Rifle.
correction for: “The L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle is a magazine-fed, semi-auto rifle based on the British Armed forces L85A1 Rifle.”
that should have been…
The L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle is a magazine-fed, semi-auto rifle based on the British Armed forces L85A2 Rifle.
also, for completeness…
The L98A2 also has a .22 rimfire conversion kit that lets cadets fire .22 rimfire rounds.
correction for : “In other words, No. 7 WAS NOT a ‘a run up to the LEE-ENFIELD No4.’ and could not have been because it was produced AFTER the ‘LEE-ENFIELD No4’ ”
That should have been…
In other words, No. 7 WAS NOT a “a run up to the LEE-ENFIELD No4.” and could not have been because it was designed and produced AFTER the “LEE-ENFIELD No4”
Here is a follow up to my above suggestion.
I did take a new shooter to the range a while back. And I had them shoot my Beretta 21A. Using CCI Stinger 22lr ammo. And my heritage rough rider tactical cowboy gun. Using the Aguila 22 LR Colibri ammunition.
And yes, a suppressor does work on a revolver. When you use the low power colibri ammo. It’s rated at 420 fps. it’s extremely quiet.
My guest said with a smile, “it’s like shooting a BB gun!!”
I think I found the perfect combination to introduce a new shooter to guns. Without the loud report.
“And yes, a suppressor does work on a revolver. When you use the low power colibri ammo. It’s rated at 420 fps. it’s extremely quiet. ”
Chris, yes a suppressor will ‘sort of work’ on a revolver but it depends on the revolver.
Basically; Normally, for a traditional revolver (design) the ‘relatively large’ gap between the forcing cone and the cylinder will let a lot of ‘sound’ be heard because there is a lot of energy being released through that gap which makes a suppressor essentially useless for reducing perceived sound.
On the Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy revolver though its a little different as that larger gap isn’t there (compared to traditional revolver designs). So instead of a lot of energy escaping through that gap (and in that energy is the sound you hear) more of that energy makes it to and through the suppressor making the suppressor more useful for perceived sound reduction (even though, like with all suppressors the higher frequency sound frequencies beyond normal hearing range may still be there and these can still damage hearing even though you can’t hear them. You do not need to be able to hear, AKA perceive, a sound for it to damage hearing).
somebody forgot to tell Hollywood….and they still keep doing it
Love shooting our .22 firearms. Don’t own many but the Ruger 10/22, Remington 541-T, M&P 22 Compact, and Browning Buckmark Camper bring a lot of smiles.
Oh and it’s getting hard to resist the Henry .22 lever action on sale at $329 at LGS right now.
anybody remember the American 180?…believe that’s what it was called…once seriously considered for police use…had a high rate of fire
thank you
good article
Defense science is what Grimm does for money. Go to DTIC and look up USG suppressor research. Learn about pressure, volume, core designs, performance and explanations of sound phenomena. Go to USPTO and look up hundreds of suppressor patents. Learn what’s real…and what’s not. Pressure is sound and sound is pressure.
Then talk, because now you sound like gun store commandos.
I shoot a .22 air rifle.