henschman
Member
You can get by with 2 mags, if they let you load 5 and 5 on the mag change stages. The most you'll ever shoot in a string of fire is 10 rounds.
The proper weapon for Appleseed courses
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Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
These two statements...
...cannot both be true.
...cannot both be true.
Mac Attack
Member
I have been wanting to do a Appleseed event for a couple of years but could not fit one in. Can tube fed rifles be used?
henschman
Member
Yes, you can use a tube feed... we let you go ahead and fill your tube during the preparation period, so all you have to do when the "load" command is given is put your spring rod in and chamber a round (otherwise tube feeds would fall behind because they are slow to load). Also, on the stages that require a mag change, we let you simulate a mag change by loading one extra round during the preparation period, and when it comes time for the mag change, you break position and eject one round.
Most tube feed rifles have poor factory sights that are short radius and not easily adjustable, so I would recommend some Tech Sights or a scope if you want to get the most out of the weekend. And don't forget a sling. The Uncle Mike's magazine band swivels are a good option for a front swivel. You have to buy some 1 1/4" swivels for it though if you want to be able to use a GI sling.
Most tube feed rifles have poor factory sights that are short radius and not easily adjustable, so I would recommend some Tech Sights or a scope if you want to get the most out of the weekend. And don't forget a sling. The Uncle Mike's magazine band swivels are a good option for a front swivel. You have to buy some 1 1/4" swivels for it though if you want to be able to use a GI sling.
Ragnar,
I see you are in Ann Arbor. We have a number of shoots not too far from you, east of Battle Creek (Bellevue) and one out in Brooklyn (Irish Hills) also a couple in Fenton. Check it out sometime. If you are still active duty/or national guard, law enforcement or a disabled vet it is free.
I see you are in Ann Arbor. We have a number of shoots not too far from you, east of Battle Creek (Bellevue) and one out in Brooklyn (Irish Hills) also a couple in Fenton. Check it out sometime. If you are still active duty/or national guard, law enforcement or a disabled vet it is free.
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Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
Thanks, I think I might do that. Though I don't believe it taking something for free 
henschman
Member
Don't worry Ragnar, we now charge everyone at least a $5 registration fee, so you don't have to worry about feeling like a moocher!
Clipper
Member
Do you HAVE to use a sling? I hate the things (and yes, I've had military training in their use...Still avoid 'em). I was also going to ask about tube mags (Browning BL-22), but I see it can work.
Caliper_Mi
Member
I suppose you don't HAVE to use a sling, but a large portion of the instruction centers around using the sling to steady your shooting position. So expect some kind encouragement to give it another try.
Honestly, I expect you would find it difficult to score an expert, or Riflemans score on the AQT without a sling. There is a reason you will always see a sling on rifles at NRA high power or CMP service rifle matches
BTW: if you are using a tube mag rifle, try and find some sort of speedloader. A straw of the right diameter, or a metal tube from Home Depot or Lowes is all you really need. It just needs to be big enough for a 22LR to slide easily through, and long enough to hold at least 11 cartridges. Just "pour" the rounds into the end of your rifles outer tube and then put the inner tube in.
Honestly, I expect you would find it difficult to score an expert, or Riflemans score on the AQT without a sling. There is a reason you will always see a sling on rifles at NRA high power or CMP service rifle matches
BTW: if you are using a tube mag rifle, try and find some sort of speedloader. A straw of the right diameter, or a metal tube from Home Depot or Lowes is all you really need. It just needs to be big enough for a 22LR to slide easily through, and long enough to hold at least 11 cartridges. Just "pour" the rounds into the end of your rifles outer tube and then put the inner tube in.
henschman
Member
Yeah you can go without a sling, but like BluEyes said, it is pretty hard to get stable enough to shoot Expert without one. Remember, this is a harder AQT than the one the Army uses nowadays. You can try it without one and see how you do, but I would bring one along, just in case.
Clipper
Member
If I went to one with the Browning it would be to have fun, not to impress anyone with my score (though I'm pretty hot with it and might just do that anyway) and would never consider defacing it with sling swivel studs...Did that with my first BL-22 when I was young and dumb. Never again.
henschman
Member
You could bring the Browning, and then if you want to try some sling supported shooting, most Instructors have some extra rifles to loan out. That or you could just buy a Marlin 795 for $100, to use at the Appleseed and to give yourself more of a beater .22. They are a pretty decent rifle for the money, and they come with sling studs. Just add swivels, a sling, a cheap scope or Tech Sights, and an extra mag and you are all set.
Clipper
Member
I repeat...I don't like 'em. Avoid 'em like the veritable PLAGUE.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Then you'll be at a disadvantage as Appleseed teaches use of the sling as a shooting aid and it helps tremendously. You might want to take the opportunity to get over whatever hangup it is you have about slings.
Clipper,
As a man who earned his patch without the sling (and on a tube feed of all things), I suggest bringing one along. AS is completely enamored with sling use. Folks on here and other sites overstate the uses of the sling as a shooting tool. Much of the instruction at an AS event is geared completely around the sling.
The reality is, the sling has only one practical use outside of marksmanship practice, that is highpower competition or similar.
Can you use a sling for other endeavors? Sure.
And you can eat ice cream with a fork, too. Doesn't make it the best tool for the job.
That said, if you do not bring a sling to AS, there is still a lot you can learn. And yes, with proper training, you can easily shoot 210+ without the use of the sling. It is much easier to shoot the score with the sling.
As a man who earned his patch without the sling (and on a tube feed of all things), I suggest bringing one along. AS is completely enamored with sling use. Folks on here and other sites overstate the uses of the sling as a shooting tool. Much of the instruction at an AS event is geared completely around the sling.
The reality is, the sling has only one practical use outside of marksmanship practice, that is highpower competition or similar.
Can you use a sling for other endeavors? Sure.
And you can eat ice cream with a fork, too. Doesn't make it the best tool for the job.
That said, if you do not bring a sling to AS, there is still a lot you can learn. And yes, with proper training, you can easily shoot 210+ without the use of the sling. It is much easier to shoot the score with the sling.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Yes well, I thought that I could shoot just fine without a sling. Until I learned how to shoot with one. The use of the hasty sling can be utilized with virtually any rifle and in virtually any situation.
shrewd
Member
a plain jane 10/22, marlin, remi...any of the standard semi .22s work just fine.
put some sling studs on there, and but some cheap 50 round boxes of various ammo. High velocity, regular, a few dif grains, brands, just to see what your rifle likes.
mine does just fine with the federal auto match (15ish for 325 rounds)
i put tech sights on it and it was great fun, though frustrating the first time when i didnt get rifleman. i put a cheap scope on it (i still need to do it with irons, though) and just today shot a 226 for rifleman.
have fun dude?
put some sling studs on there, and but some cheap 50 round boxes of various ammo. High velocity, regular, a few dif grains, brands, just to see what your rifle likes.
mine does just fine with the federal auto match (15ish for 325 rounds)
i put tech sights on it and it was great fun, though frustrating the first time when i didnt get rifleman. i put a cheap scope on it (i still need to do it with irons, though) and just today shot a 226 for rifleman.
have fun dude?
Clipper
Member
Well guys, I own 1 .22 rifle. I'm not gonna drill holes in that Browning stock for a butt swivel, nor am I gonna put a clamp on my mag tube. Been there, done that with my first BL-22 and never forgave myself. I don't have anything to prove, as I can head shoot squirrels and rabbits from field positions with this rifle at 50 yards as it is. I just thought it might be a fun game to try but I gotta say too many of these posts remind me of the milsurp guys who think it's a sin to sporterize a Mosin (which I also do). Leaves a bad taste in my mouth, so I guess I'll leave it to those who 'know how it's done'.
People get too hung up on equipment issues. You don't need a custom rifle with a special stock and trigger and expensive sights and match ammo. The basic marksmanship skills taught are designed to apply to any type of rifle, open sights, receiver sights, or scoped, and get the shooter able to shoot a 4 Minute Of Angle group out to 500 meters. The Army Qualification Target was designed around a standard M1 Service Rifle with issue ammo, hence the timed stages that require a mag change with 2 rounds and 8 rounds. A sling certainly makes it easier to hit a 1" target at 25 meters consistently (or a 4" target at 100 meters, or a 20" target at 500), but anybody who can do it without one has my admiration. Part of the history taught at the Appleseed matches is that the original Revolutionary War riflemen were selected for a Rifle company on their ability to hit a head-sized wooden shingle, offhand, no sling, with a flintlock rifle at 250 yards. Those guys could really shoot, and a big part of that was being completely familiar with their own rifles. If you've got a rifle that shoots well for you, that's the one to bring; no need to shell out big bucks for a shiny new toy, unless you just want one. I'm using my old bolt-action Mossberg, which I also used for head shots on squirrels as a kid.
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Clipper,
What you have would work fine at Appleseed. Seeing that you are in Mt. Morris, we have numerous events in Lapeer Co. & Fenton and one at Linwood Bay/Munger this year. We also have loaner rifles if you want to try something else. The history is pretty cool and it is a fun weekend for the whole family.
Still some openings at Lapeer on March 24-25, Fenton Apr 21-22 and June 16-17. The shoot in Linden is in August.
What you have would work fine at Appleseed. Seeing that you are in Mt. Morris, we have numerous events in Lapeer Co. & Fenton and one at Linwood Bay/Munger this year. We also have loaner rifles if you want to try something else. The history is pretty cool and it is a fun weekend for the whole family.
Still some openings at Lapeer on March 24-25, Fenton Apr 21-22 and June 16-17. The shoot in Linden is in August.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Of course not and no one here suggested anything even remotely so.
However, it is a major part of the course to learn to shoot with a sling. You can surely shoot without one and that is fine. You'll still learn something but you will be missing a major component of the training. You're better off to go without one than not at all.
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