A good .22LR trainer, on a very demanding target like a 50M prone target where the 10 ring is about the same diameter as a .22LR bullet can be a great training aid in mastering the basics. Honestly I think the precision rimfire is more demanding in some respects than high powered rifle disciplines because of the dwell time of the round in the barrel compared to a bullet moving over twice as fast. If you have a poor position, poor follow through, or commit a host of other minor sins the slow moving .22LR match bullet will punish you for it much more than a bullet moving out at 2600fps+.
Now I also agree that being able to get out further and play in the wind, elevation changes, etc presents its own challenge, but I still maintain that a good foundation of mastery of the basics of position, trigger control, sight alignment/sight picture with a good .22LR give a shooter an advantage once they step up to precision rifle at longer distances. How many dudes and gals have you seen try to enter the game not even knowing how to get a solid natural point of aim, and a solid position much less a good follow through and have a tough time hitting challenging but reasonable shots at distance? So many things wrong that you can't even help them nail it down because nothing they are doing is repeatable.
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