Rimfire Trainers

People spend more on their rimfires than any other firearm in their collection outside the United States.



An accurate rimfire rifle is a valuable tool for the dedicated shooter. Today we are going to break down a few reasons why as well as some offerings at each price level.

1. Economics

A rimfire rifle is cheap to shoot - extremely cheap. For the cost of 100 6.5 Creedmoor rounds, you can spend an afternoon working your fundamentals and positional shooting at the range. There are fantastic rifle options in every pricing tier like the Tikka T1x and CZ 457. Both are similarly priced to more entry level centerfire rifles – you simply get more for your dollar with 22’s.

2. Low recoil, Low noise, High fun

I would wager that 90% of shooters started out with a 22LR, shooting soda cans in the backyard. No recoil and no concussive boom, Rimfires are great for new shooters. If you want to introduce someone to the sport, I cannot think of a better first experience than shooting eggs or thumbtacks with a nice 22LR rifle off a bench. Throw in some steel spinning targets and they’ll be hooked by the end of the day.

3. Training

In my mind, a 300-yard shot with a rimfire is similar in difficulty to an 800-yard centerfire. What does this mean? It means you can learn how to read wind, practice using holds, and really bear down on your fundamentals all with limited range space. You don’t need to call your buddy with the 1100-yard-long bean field and annoy his wife and dogs with the boom of your 6cm. All you need with a rimfire rifle is 50-300 yards.

Rifle Builds

Entry Level

Tikka T1x .22 LR 20" 1:16.5" Rifle JRT1X300

Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm FFP EBR-7C MRAD Riflescope

Harris 6" - 9" Swivel Bipod with Leg Notches

Hawkins Precision 34mm Tikka .55" 25MOA Low Hybrid Long Range Hybrid

You can have a really slamming starter point for around a $1,650 rimfire. The T1x is a famously accurate and smooth little rifle, as well as having a gigantic aftermarket. This means you can throw this thing in a chassis, swap triggers, swap barrels, etc. This rifle will be with you for the long haul and will hold its own against even the highest tier rifles on this list.



The Strike Eagle is a great starting point. I recommend upping to the 5-25 model as you will have better experience on the bench. The 3-18 will pull double duty a varmint rifle around the house, and I do enjoy that utility. Great glass, great turrets, great lights, great lights, great lights, great illumination, plus a Vortex warranty - what can go wrong?



Hawkins Precision makes some of the best one-piece rings on the market. They are strong and durable yet lightweight. You can’t go wrong choosing them.



Harris bipods are too simple to fail. They have served everyone from hunters, competition shooters, and the military. They will never fail you.

Mid-Level

CZ-USA 457 Varmint Precision Trainer MTR 2 .22 LR 16.5" 1/2x28" Bbl 5rd Rimfire Rifle w/11mm Dovetail

Nightforce Competition 15-55x52 FCR-1 Riflescope

MDT Elite 1.00" 30mm Medium Blk Scope Rings

MDT 20 MOA CZ 457 Blk Picatinny Scope Base

MDT CKYE-POD Lightweight Single Pull Standard Bipod w/Sling Swivel Stud Mount

The CZ 457 MTR has been a rimfire community staple for many years. This rifle comes with a Manners carbon fiber stock, adjustable trigger, and cold hammer forged barrel. It feels like a traditional centerfire rifle in your hands. They’re great if you’re prioritizing the “training” part of this discussion. These little CZs are laser beam accurate, ultra smooth and my personal pick for a rimfire rifle.



The Nightforce we picked out here is going to set you up for competition (it’s literally in the name!) The scope on this rifle is a force to be reckoned with in the field. The Nightforce durability we all know and love - high magnification, premium glass, and parallax that goes down to 25 yards, it sets you up for success.



Rings and a base from a proven company like MDT are a given, 20 MOA means you can save some turret travel for those longer shots. The integrated bubble level in the rings also ensure 0-degree cant.



The CykePod is THE bipod you want for competing! Slim, trim, and uber adjustable; you can build some cool firing positions utilizing this bipod and a rear bag. It’s great for practicing some nontraditional positions in preparation for hunting season, PRS comps, or anything else you can think of! This one uses a sling stud mount, but many other options are available.

High Tier

Anschutz 1727F .22 LR 23" Bbl Tungsten Rifle w/5020 2-Stage Trigger AI AT-X Chassis & 30MOA Rail 0A016793AITN

Kahles K540i 5-40x56 CCW SKMR4+ Riflescope w/Left Windage 10717



Badger Ordnance C.O.M.M. MAX 36mm 1.30" 0MIL/0MOA Black Scope Mount 130-360KB

Really Right Stuff TFCT-34L Mk2 SOAR Series 3 Long-Leg Carbon Fiber Tripod w/Anvil-30 ARC Ball Head RRS-9000392



The Anshutz is the super car of the rimfire world with straight pull, toggle action, breath and it goes off trigger, and AI chassis. They’re built to win competitions and win them it does. If you own an AI rifle, or really any chassis precision rifle for your centerfire needs, this is a great trainer option. If you do not like the toggle action, you can swap to a traditional bolt action in the 54.18 Model.



Everything the Anshutz is to a rimfire rifle, the Kahles is to a scope. Kahles utilizes the BEST glass in the world to produce this optic. It features the widest FOV and apparent FOV of any scope on the market. When you look through this scope, it’s like a 70-inch plasma screen just opened. If I was to pick one optic to use at 1,000 yards, it would be this one. For rimfire, that translates to extreme ease of use at long gong distances.



Badger Ordinance make some of the best modular mounting solutions on the market. Start with the mount, then add levels, diving boards, angle indicators, back up aiming systems, etc.



RRS Tripods are the top in the industry. They are extremely robust and offer an extremely stable firing platform. The Anvil 30 ball head included with the package is another winner. It has been copied by almost every company that makes a tripod – but it’s still the king.



Even if you aren’t interested in a rimfire setup, this tripod should be on your radar. It only weighs five pounds and yet a 160-pound man can do a pullup off it in a standing position.

Rimfire rifles are an extremely useful tool that will enhance your shooting skill level, fun for the whole family, and open new divisions of competition.



If you have any questions about rimfire, optics, or accessories – shoot us a message, we would love to help you out!



-Jake