would it be more beneficial to practice shooting the caliber of choice than to drop down to a 22lr? (Assuming you can handle the recoil and weight of gun) I know the fundamentals are great to learn on a 22lr (rifle or pistol) and its cheaper than a 308 or 9mm but wouldn't the feel of the actual gun or caliber of choice would be more advantageous? (assuming you don't have the identical same gun in 22lr and you are not a child or female first time shooter)

old school taught me just shoot the rifle or handgun and learn from there.... (assuming ammo prices have no affect on decision)

.22lr @ 100 yards, in rifle, has been a great help to me in honing wind reading skills.  It is said that it is ballistically similar to shooting .308 @ 5 to 600 yards

Yes, in general it would be best to train on the "full size" caliber of your choice.  That is assuming one has not developed a flinch or anything like that from the recoil of trying to shoot too much gun for them to handle.  Training for things like recoil management and getting back on target for follow-up shots can't really be replicated with 22 lr.  If you can afford the ammo, but that's the problem. 

That said, there are many benefits to training with 22 lr as well.  Like Heavies said, 22 lr at ranges of even 100 yards help with marksmanship skills as the effects of wind, bullet drop, etc are seemingly magnified.  22 lr, especially in handguns can really help you see things like hitches in your trigger manipulation/press. 

Shooting is a perishable skill and you need to practice to keep sharp.  Whatever it takes to help keep your skills sharp, whether it be shooting 9 mm or 22 lr, I believe it all helps. 

I use 22LR to practice my breathing and trigger skills. I use ARs so i have a lower with a 7lbs trigger to start and finish the day with. When i use sensitive triggers i tend to flinch more if i start with that trigger at the start. 

good answers!  Helps me with my decision if I should get a .22 to shoot besides getting one so my kids can shoot too!  My thinking was to just practice with the caliber you normally use........but the cost of ammo plays a big role too! 

Do not overlook air guns for cheap practice.  All the fundamental matter, trigger control, hold, follow through, and cheekweld with rifles.

Can be done in most back yards, a monstrous plus here with so few places to shoot.

good answers!  Helps me with my decision if I should get a .22 to shoot besides getting one so my kids can shoot too!  My thinking was to just practice with the caliber you normally use........but the cost of ammo plays a big role too! 

Yep, cost of ammo is a huge plus for shooting 22 lr!   

I also bought my 22 lr pistol when I got started teaching handgun safety classes.  It really helps with new shooters and also with those who don't quite have the hand strength to manipulate the slides of 9mm or larger caliber handguns. 

Personally, I think a 10/22 is an awesome gun to get kids into shooting!  When I volunteered at the SSF last summer, I manned the 22 lr rifle booth and the kids all have a great time shooting the 10/22 and M&P 15-22.  Both are lightweight, super easy to shoot, not much noise and very little recoil. 

Do not overlook air guns for cheap practice.  All the fundamental matter, trigger control, hold, follow through, and cheekweld with rifles.

+1

I was told that if I could shoot a air rifle accurately, then I would be able to shoot rifles accurately.  Still working on it . . .

Or you can reload! I load my .40s lightly so they feel like 9mm, and the lower charge will cause FTF if you don't do your part. For example, factory loads always go bang when my girl shoots, but my reloads won't feed if she limp-wrists the gun. But if price were no object, then practice how you'd play at the big game.

correct me if I'm wrong, but if I were to get a 22lr to practice with should I get one that closely resembles the rifle or handgun?

scoped 22lr bolt to match my higher caliber scopes bolt?

iron sight ar-15 22lr to match Ar-15 223/556?

+1

I was told that if I could shoot a air rifle accurately, then I would be able to shoot rifles accurately.  Still working on it . . .

I am not sure... I can shoot a pellet gun pretty well. And I do not have any flinch developed. When I shoot my 300WM I dont think I could say the same. After half a box of those...There might be a little pull now and then

correct me if I'm wrong, but if I were to get a 22lr to practice with should I get one that closely resembles the rifle or handgun?

scoped 22lr bolt to match my higher caliber scopes bolt?

iron sight ar-15 22lr to match Ar-15 223/556?

You could simply get/build a .22 upper for your AR or, if you have a Glock, SIG, 1911, CZ, etc., try your hand at finding a .22 conversion kit. That way the controls and handling stay pretty close to the same and you don't have to stand in line to register...

Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 is the closest of the clones to an AR. All of the controls function as they do on an AR. Good way to teach someone how to work an AR 15 without burning up .223/5.56 ammo.  If I could get rid of the clunky quad rail, I could set it up to look exactly like my AR. Use a Millett DMS 1-4 x 24 on the MP15-22, and a Trijicon Accupoint on the AR.

Ruger 10/22 is fun for plinking and can be made pretty accurate if you're willing to pay. You can make a 10/22 look like an AR, but the controls will differ (and the bolt won't hold open on an empty mag).
 

Depends on what you are practicing on . I do see a lot of benefits to having something like a 22 to work on fundamentals . For me I like to run the caliber I'm shooting especially when it comes to shooting at longer distances .

Depends on what you are practicing on . I do see a lot of benefits to having something like a 22 to work on fundamentals . For me I like to run the caliber I'm shooting especially when it comes to shooting at longer distances .

I'm training on a 308, when I get board of the 100 yard targets I drift off and shoot the steel plates from 200 to 450....

but if I did have a 22lr I could probably shoot 300 rounds per visit vs 40 rounds of 308 march ammo....

what y'all think?

I'm training on a 308, when I get board of the 100 yard targets I drift off and shoot the steel plates from 200 to 450....

but if I did have a 22lr I could probably shoot 300 rounds per visit vs 40 rounds of 308 march ammo....

what y'all think?

March ammo? But it's already April.

having a 22 is better than not having one
its one more choice to have when picking your guns for the day.

99% of the time, we are only shooting at paper targets.
so shooting it with inexpensive ammo, out of an inexpensive gun makes sense to me.

In an ideal world of an infinite supply of "match" ammo or the same ammo I use in matches I'd shoot a regular upper on a full course (out to 600 yards) at least 3 times weekly, but I'm on a budget and don't have continual access to a 600 yd range. I have a rimfire upper that is a close duplicate of what I shoot in matches.
You'd want a .22 AND ammo that would give you reliable feedback. What I learned from my rimfire upper translates exactly with what I'd get with my centerfire upper. Sling position, body position, trigger control and other nuances all have effects on my rimfire and centerfire uppers equally. Cheaper and I don't spend time reloading. I spend a lot of ammo looking for littel things to adjust. I discovered this weekend the reason why I wasn't cleaning targets as I did before - my sling wasn't pulling straight behind the back of my hand. My sight picture would shift every shot I made in rapid fire. Ideally, if you're shooting groups, the gun should recoil consistently back on your target - if not, there is something that is not consistent with your hold.
IMHO, a 22 practice rifle should closely resemble what you'd use for wahtever purpose / end goal you have. Develop the correct muscle memory to produce Xs or end result you desire

I'm training on a 308, when I get board of the 100 yard targets I drift off and shoot the steel plates from 200 to 450....

but if I did have a 22lr I could probably shoot 300 rounds per visit vs 40 rounds of 308 march ammo....

what y'all think?

Yeah I guess your right if all you got to shoot is at koko head . As for me I just go there to zero and get out of there (too much people )

March ammo? But it's already April.

I just got me some April ammo this past weekend.... lol