Purpose built practice rifle

[Salmonchaser]

I would try to match your duty rifle as best you can. Don’t over look the value of dryfire. Most high end competitive shooters do a lot of it. Fire one dry fire five kind of thing can work wonders. This will allow your rifle to cool as well.
If you’re working with a spotter he/she can load the rifle for you. You won’t know if there is a round in the chamber or not. This drill will teach you very quickly what may be lacking in your shooting style.
Make it fun, get off the bench and challenge yourself.

 

[Caseknife]

Build a fluted heavy barrel 6 ARC, that way you can hunt with it also if you feel so inclined.

 

[choc dogs]

This is my solution. Identical scopes, pretty close to the same rifle,(one is a standard, one is a ranch) one in 6.5, one in 556. I can take out the spacer for short people shooting pretty quick.

 

[std7mag]

I’m in Canada so .243 minimum for big game, but still I can use .223 for coyotes. I would have to figure out the most cost effective path for ammo for the 223 since I don’t currently reload for it.

Egads, I didn't realize that you were in Canada.

You'll be lucky to be able to get a Red Rider BB gun!
Didn't Trudeau say that those are weapons of war?

At least with the postal strike you can't send your weapons to the government.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Varmint/heavy barrel mandatory for 223? Spotter barrel going to get too hot too fast?

My “practice” rifle is a tikka 223 with a lite contour barrel. The only reason the barrel getting hot matters is mirage, otherwise don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine. Put about 80 rounds through mine yesterday in 90 minutes while bouncing between that and a different rifle.

ADI factory 69 SMK ammo costs about $0.75/ea in the states, shoots great for me, and saves a lot of load bench time.