Appleseed Advice?

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TenDriver

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I'm hot on the heels of a CMP M-1, and after reading about Appleseeds it looks like that might be the way to go for the marksmanship requirement.

My dilemma is this: I'm not sure I have a proper rifle for the event. I have a Win. Model 67 single shot .22, Mosin, SKS, Rossi M92, and an XL-7. They recommend open sight, so that leaves out the 270. Not to mention ammo costs. The Rossi is in 44 Mag and also going to be expensive to shoot, the SKS a little cheaper. The Mosin seems too big to haul around comfortably.

My thinking is I'll need a semi - auto .22. What say you guys who have done these events? Is a single shot rifle sufficient, or do I need to spend some extra dough?
 
Most use a 10/22. 695 or model 60 works right out of the box. Mags work for faster reload or plastic tube for the model 60.
 
Thanks. I was thinking the solution would be to buy a 10/22, just needed someone to confirm I wasn't mis-spending the money.
 
c1ogden said:
"Mis-spending money"?

On a gun?

Did I miss something here?!
Click to expand...
I've really become attached to rifles / pistols with some historical significance. I'm on an extremely limited budget having just gotten back to work after being laid off in Jan of '10, so I'm saving up for the M-1. I wouldn't mind considering the price of a good used 10 / 22 as part of the purchase price of a Garand though.....:evil:
 
A 10/22 with Tech Sights and a simple web sling is what is known at Appleseed as a "Liberty Training Rifle". They work great there, and also are great for cheap practice after you go.
 
Training is not cheap. You are acquiring a skill and not just spending money to plink at targets on the range. Plinking is expensive; training is not.

I have attended two of them. The single shot 22 would be sufficient, but annoying. Perhaps it would be better to sell a bunch of guns and go with a combat grade weapon.

The 22 will be used on the 25 yard line. This is enough to learn the fundamentals of marksmanship. However, you really should take the opportunity to shoot at long range with a centerfire rifle.
 
10/22, extra 10 shot magazine, sling and a scope. Passed mine with that. Don't forget something padded to lay on.
 
Food for thought:

With your SKS, which of the guns you listed is likely the cheapest, ammo alone would be ~$150.
($6 per box of 20 hereabouts, 500 rounds)


A Marlin 795, tech sights (or a scope), sling, extra magazine, and a brick of ammo ~ 200... and you have another gun at the end!
 
You definitely need a semi-auto, and I would strongly recommend a magazine-fed model over a tube-fed one. The rules are different and more complicated for tube-fed. Those who tell you that you can get by with a single-shot or bolt action are not telling you about how much those options will hinder you in the timed portions. You will need at least two magazines.

Also, .22 is MUCH nicer to use, as it costs a LOT less, and is much quieter!

I tried to use a lever-action, but when I got there they told me that it would be nearly impossible to use because it violated the techniques they were teaching for prone shooting. One of the instructors ended up lending me his rifle for the event, but you may not be able to count on that.

Here's an option: Consider borrowing one of the models described above from a friend. Get it a couple of weeks ahead and practice with it so that you are familiar with all of the controls and operations.

Also, stretch gently for several days before you go, and carry something to lie on, as you will be up and down and shooting a lot from the prone position. They also recommended some type of aspirin for sore muscles.

Go and enjoy! Good luck! :)
 
I couldn't afford another gun like the 10/22 and TechSights, so tried my CZ carbine and Saiga conversion (AK- 47). Bad, bad idea. All we did the second day was do calisthenics with guns...stand, sit, prone (repeat) and a bolt gun or semi with longer mag just doesn't work for rapid fire drills and mag changes.

Really the second best gun to bring would probably be an AR-15 and several 10rd mags. Shoot the thing all day long and not get a sore shoulder like I did.
 
As everyone has mentioned... you do a lot of shooting... 22lr not only being cheaper is easier on you after a hundred rounds or so.

folks above have covered most of the items... I'll throw one other thing in.... go ahead and get an actual real shooting mat... a piece of carpet just doesn't get it after a while.... you'll have a rug rash.

there is a whole lot of up and down... the elbo pads are not a bad idea... but a long sleeve shirt at least.
 
It depends how old/fit/tough (for lack of a better word) you are. I just took a moving blanket, and neglected to do any pre-event stretching, and I was still fine.

There is no way you could shoot "Rifleman" with a single shot. I guy was at the class I was in with a scoped 77/22 and he couldn't even do it. The point of the class is to learn the positions, sling use, and finding "natural point of aim", and anything other than a semi-auto is going to make you break position after each shot.

If I could not afford a new gun (ie had the ammo on hand, but no cash), the SKS could work. If you have to buy the ammo anyway, as another poster said, you'd be better off buying a .22. Make sure the magazine holds at least 8 rounds. Tech sights are WELL worth the money ($50) and a GI web sling is a perfect low cost option ($7.95 from CMP)
 
I don't want to hijack the discussion, so feel free to send me a private message if you care to...

Why should I go to Appleseed? I am a fairly good rifle shot, already consider myself a Constitution supporting patriot, NRA Patron, etc. Is it worth my time?
 
J-Bar, I've gotten the info I need out of this thread, so no worry about hijacking.

I'd have to say though that no matter how good you are, there are ways to become better. That rule applies to all of us.
 
There is US history, heritage, camraderie, and lots of practice in addition to the instruction in fundamentals. I worked as an "instructor in training " at a bunch of shoots and saw former high power competitive shooters, and people who had been shooting a long time, and not one said he didn't enjoy it and take something away from it. I worked with a police officer at one, who was there because his department budget cuts had axed all of their training.
And, its about the cheapest training you can find, too. And not because it isn't good quality. Well worth it for just about anyone who shoots a rifle if you ask me.
 
I apologize for sounding like a prima donna, that was not my intent. I just don't know anything about Appleseed. If the training being offered is primarily for nonshooters, I wouldn't be interested. Your comments about experienced shooters finding it worthwhile put it in a different light.

Thanks.
 
I didn't take it as prima donna-ish. It's a valid question, because it is good for beginners too.
The way the scored targets work, there is something for everyone I think. Experienced shooters can go for a rifleman score. New shooters are happy if they hit the 400yard scaled target once every 5 targets, or even hit the large 100 scale target with an actual group:p
The experienced shooters generally say that going "back to basics" was useful, because it's easy to get set in your ways and miss or forget something that might improve your shooting. And they practice a lot over the weekend, which helps everyone. I actually miss doing the shoots as a shooter just for that reason.
Anyway...
:)
 
If you like rifles and shooting, it will be fun. Depending on you, I would consider going with a friend though.

I have shot both rifles and handguns all my life (53+) and I learned a lot at the one Appleseed I went to last year and am planning to go to another when time allows.

The one thing I was afraid of was that it was going to be some kind of political indoctrination for beginners, specifically right wing. It was not! Somebody has designed the program well. The only part that might be considered political is the history lesson and that would really be stretching it since it is just facts about how Americans were better shots during the Revolutionary war.

When I went I shot both a Ruger 10/22 with tech sights and an AR-15.... if and when I go back I'll just bring my 10/22.

One hint about tech sights.... the metal on the peep hole is shiny... take a butane lighter with you to soot up the hole if need be.

Depending on your age and physical condition I would do some working out ahead of time with getting in both the prone position as well as knelling and sitting.

Oh and for anyone who has earned their patch and has also bought one of the new Rifleman Pins... you can thank me for the Pin, it was my idea.
 
Yes, scopes are allowed.
The one thing I was afraid of was that it was going to be some kind of political indoctrination for beginners, specifically right wing. It was not! Somebody has designed the program well. The only part that might be considered political is the history lesson and that would really be stretching it since it is just facts about how Americans were better shots during the Revolutionary war.
Click to expand...
The program isn't political at all, and instructors are told to avoid political discussions of any kind while working for the program. It is a good policy in my opinion, since politics tend to divide people, and one of the goals of the program is to remind us of our shared history and heritage.
The only thing resembling politics is the encouragement to get out and do something positive for whatever you believe in.
 
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