Attended Appleseed

Joshua M. Smith · 10-19-2009, 05:19 AM

Hello,

Appleseed is a nationwide rifle clinic/competition/history lesson. It's a bit more than that, but it's not a militia or anything of that nature.

On my second try, I scored Rifleman.

Got my patch.

I was using a 10/22 for this.

Drill was top target standing, 10 rounds, in something like two minutes.

Next two standing to sitting, two rounds, reload (standard or tactical), eight more, 55 seconds (this was probably the hardest).

Row three got three, three, four, standing to prone. Don't remember the time limit. Fire two, reload, fire eight. Tactical reload optional.

Last row was a straight 10 rounds, two, two, three, three, in five minutes, starting from prone.

Shot much better scores with the 'scoped Savage, even with the bipod folded and hanging on the end (no bipods allowed), but that wasn't even fair as my 'scope only goes down to 6.5x.

I had an M1A shooter on my left, so I broke out the SKS, only to have failures to fire. During prep I field stripped it and found the hammer spring, which I replaced, had become weak - cheap spring. I have a new one on order from Wolff.

But even with a 50% FTFire rate, I was still keeping up with the 'scoped M1A at the short distance, using Tech-Sights. Then we shot a team target, and came out pretty good, even with my rifle merrily malfunctioning.

I only experienced two malfunctions from the Ruger - a FTFire (due to ammo) which I was able to eject, finish the mag, and reload the FTFired round and finish within time. The other was a stovepipe malf which I cleared and finished the drill. A couple drops of Otis lube (thanks, Del!) got it running right again - it had about 300 rounds through it at this point.

Only failed to finish one target with the 'scoped Savage, that being due to the bolt action and the 55 second time limit with reload. Dunno how those Brits did that mad minute! The "cease fire" command came right as I was squeezing, and I had about 2.5lbs of pressure on the 2.75lb trigger. I probably could have gotten away with it, but I could stop, so I did.

Really wanted to "play" with the only other .30 caliber there, the aforementioned Scout M1A, and am disappointed my hammer spring was weak. I have no doubt I could have scored Rifleman with the SKS as well, as I have it built.

Overall, it was a very fun two day experience. We burned up well over 500 rounds of ammunition. Very, very positive experience!

Josh <><

jrswanson1 · 10-20-2009, 08:24 AM

I need to hit one of those at some point. I thought they were all open sights, no optics.

Jim

cremley · 10-20-2009, 01:34 PM

I went to the same event about 6 months ago. I only went for the first day as I didn't have a long range gun capable of shooting the longer distances on the second day. They had a lot of good tips and techniques to offer but there were two things I didn't like about the whole event. One, the "2 hour lunch time history lesson". I went to learn how to shoot, not repeat my high school freshman history class. Two, they were kinda safety nazis and a little too extreme. I almost couldn't even pull my gun out of the car and bring it to the shooting mat without them hovering over me like vultures and complaining about every thing I was doing "wrong". How am I supposed to shoot a gun if they won't even let me pull it out of the car? O well, the rest of the event was very informative but I wasn't able to get signed off on anything accept for the CMP because I didn't go the second day. Another problem I had was that they told us to bring any gun we wanted so I brought a single shot lever action .22 and my .17HMR just in case. Well, apparently you needed a semi-auto of some sort with at least a 10 round detachable or tube fed mag. So, I couldn't use my .22 and had to use my .17. Luckily, I had 2-5 round mags so I could load them depending on the challenge but I had to spend extra time swapping mags during the timed shoots. I am also a left handed shooter so I had to reach over the scope to throw the bolt. I usually use my right hand to do this but it was now constrained in a sling due to the event requirements. Either way, I was able to do pretty good and one of the instructors said I would have made rifleman and she would sign off on it if I came the next day. Unfortunatly, I had other things to do so I guess I will have to re-do that sometime if I want to be considered a rifleman.

Overall, if you are new to shooting and want to learn techniques, I would suggest going to one of these events and bringing a semi-auto .22 or something similar. I learned a lot that I can take and use and I did get signed off for the CMP so I can order from them when I complete the rest of their requirements.

Joshua M. Smith · 10-20-2009, 04:37 PM

Hello,

I used the Ruger 10/22 to qualify the first time around... but then one of the range guys happened to have 10 round magazines for my heavy barrel target .22 bolt action. I made the rifleman score twice with that thing as well.

Had to work the bolt like a mad man though.

Make sure you bring at least one 10 round mag for whatever gun you'll be using; you'll need another one of 5 or greater capacity.

I'm rather surprised that they weren't more accommodating at your shoot, Cremley. They went out of their way at mine.

After I made rifleman, I was allowed to break out two more rifles, so I had three on the line.

I was planning to make rifleman with the SKS as well, but the hammer spring was replaced cheaply and it had failed sometime between when I last shot it, and this past weekend.

I have a new one from Wolff ordered and will use it during the next shoot though... no biggie!

Josh <><

big shrek · 10-20-2009, 10:03 PM

If anyone decides to use a tube-mag rifle like a Marlin 60...bring reloader tubes.

It always cracks me up when I can reload faster than the box-mag boys

10-19-2009, 05:19 AM	#1
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 541	Attended Appleseed Hello, Appleseed is a nationwide rifle clinic/competition/history lesson. It's a bit more than that, but it's not a militia or anything of that nature. On my second try, I scored Rifleman. Got my patch. I was using a 10/22 for this. Drill was top target standing, 10 rounds, in something like two minutes. Next two standing to sitting, two rounds, reload (standard or tactical), eight more, 55 seconds (this was probably the hardest). Row three got three, three, four, standing to prone. Don't remember the time limit. Fire two, reload, fire eight. Tactical reload optional. Last row was a straight 10 rounds, two, two, three, three, in five minutes, starting from prone. Shot much better scores with the 'scoped Savage, even with the bipod folded and hanging on the end (no bipods allowed), but that wasn't even fair as my 'scope only goes down to 6.5x. I had an M1A shooter on my left, so I broke out the SKS, only to have failures to fire. During prep I field stripped it and found the hammer spring, which I replaced, had become weak - cheap spring. I have a new one on order from Wolff. But even with a 50% FTFire rate, I was still keeping up with the 'scoped M1A at the short distance, using Tech-Sights. Then we shot a team target, and came out pretty good, even with my rifle merrily malfunctioning. I only experienced two malfunctions from the Ruger - a FTFire (due to ammo) which I was able to eject, finish the mag, and reload the FTFired round and finish within time. The other was a stovepipe malf which I cleared and finished the drill. A couple drops of Otis lube (thanks, Del!) got it running right again - it had about 300 rounds through it at this point. Only failed to finish one target with the 'scoped Savage, that being due to the bolt action and the 55 second time limit with reload. Dunno how those Brits did that mad minute! The "cease fire" command came right as I was squeezing, and I had about 2.5lbs of pressure on the 2.75lb trigger. I probably could have gotten away with it, but I could stop, so I did. Really wanted to "play" with the only other .30 caliber there, the aforementioned Scout M1A, and am disappointed my hammer spring was weak. I have no doubt I could have scored Rifleman with the SKS as well, as I have it built. Overall, it was a very fun two day experience. We burned up well over 500 rounds of ammunition. Very, very positive experience! Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

10-20-2009, 01:34 PM	#3
cremley Young Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 2,948	I went to the same event about 6 months ago. I only went for the first day as I didn't have a long range gun capable of shooting the longer distances on the second day. They had a lot of good tips and techniques to offer but there were two things I didn't like about the whole event. One, the "2 hour lunch time history lesson". I went to learn how to shoot, not repeat my high school freshman history class. Two, they were kinda safety nazis and a little too extreme. I almost couldn't even pull my gun out of the car and bring it to the shooting mat without them hovering over me like vultures and complaining about every thing I was doing "wrong". How am I supposed to shoot a gun if they won't even let me pull it out of the car? O well, the rest of the event was very informative but I wasn't able to get signed off on anything accept for the CMP because I didn't go the second day. Another problem I had was that they told us to bring any gun we wanted so I brought a single shot lever action .22 and my .17HMR just in case. Well, apparently you needed a semi-auto of some sort with at least a 10 round detachable or tube fed mag. So, I couldn't use my .22 and had to use my .17. Luckily, I had 2-5 round mags so I could load them depending on the challenge but I had to spend extra time swapping mags during the timed shoots. I am also a left handed shooter so I had to reach over the scope to throw the bolt. I usually use my right hand to do this but it was now constrained in a sling due to the event requirements. Either way, I was able to do pretty good and one of the instructors said I would have made rifleman and she would sign off on it if I came the next day. Unfortunatly, I had other things to do so I guess I will have to re-do that sometime if I want to be considered a rifleman. Overall, if you are new to shooting and want to learn techniques, I would suggest going to one of these events and bringing a semi-auto .22 or something similar. I learned a lot that I can take and use and I did get signed off for the CMP so I can order from them when I complete the rest of their requirements. __________________ Well done is better than well said - Benjamin Franklin NRA MEMBER

10-20-2009, 04:37 PM	#4
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 541	Hello, I used the Ruger 10/22 to qualify the first time around... but then one of the range guys happened to have 10 round magazines for my heavy barrel target .22 bolt action. I made the rifleman score twice with that thing as well. Had to work the bolt like a mad man though. Make sure you bring at least one 10 round mag for whatever gun you'll be using; you'll need another one of 5 or greater capacity. I'm rather surprised that they weren't more accommodating at your shoot, Cremley. They went out of their way at mine. After I made rifleman, I was allowed to break out two more rifles, so I had three on the line. I was planning to make rifleman with the SKS as well, but the hammer spring was replaced cheaply and it had failed sometime between when I last shot it, and this past weekend. I have a new one from Wolff ordered and will use it during the next shoot though... no biggie! Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

10-20-2009, 10:03 PM	#5
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,566	If anyone decides to use a tube-mag rifle like a Marlin 60...bring reloader tubes. It always cracks me up when I can reload faster than the box-mag boys __________________ Marlin Specialist, Calico Specialist

10-20-2009, 08:24 AM	#2
jrswanson1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,174	I need to hit one of those at some point. I thought they were all open sights, no optics. Jim