Rifle for Appleseed Project shoot?

[BoilerUP]

I'm thinking of attending an Appleseed shoot this spring, after doing a little research on their website I'm curious what folks who have done this before think would be the best rifle option for me.

1: Marlin 60, first rifle I got when I was 9 years old, currently scoped, no studs
2: Marlin 25N, bolt action, currently scoped, no studs
3: Savage FV-SR, bolt action, scoped...primary trainer for my 260
4: AR-15 with CMMG 22LR conversion. Have an 20" A2, don't yet have a conversion kit, might be the perfect excuse to buy one

Thanks...

 

[brutus1776]

Re: Rifle for Appleseed Project shoot?

tag*

been wondering the same thing...all my .22's are scoped with no irons and was thinking of head over to an appleseed next month. dont want to have buy another .22 though

 

[George63]

Re: Rifle for Appleseed Project shoot?

depends on what your goals are, if proficiency with irons holds no interest or the eyes do not cooperate than use a scoped rifle, starting with a bolty makes it tough to concentrate on the other fundamentals so a semi auto with 2 magazines that drop/change readily is a good starting point, AR .22 conversions as a rule just suck for function and accuracy, non-aperture irons IMO are also not worth using

so for irons the marlin 795 with a spare magazine, tech sights, 1 1/4 inch sling swivels and a web sling is a practical/popular setup

for scoped the marlin looses favor to the stock mount included with the 10-22 ( by far the most common choice for AS), you will need to add sling studs, and again 1 1/4 swivels,sling, and spare magazine, for the scope an AO model that goes down to 25 yd is preferred as parallax error can be significant when changing shooting positions

do not be shy about asking about a loaner if you want to start with a setup that you do not have(usually the instructors have them ), once you get down the skill set/course of fire and can shoot the score with a semi-auto scoped or irons, then get it with a centerfire (AR is the best match IMO) or switch to the bolty .22 for a significant added challenge

by the end of this year I want to be able to do the course of fire at full distance (100, 200, 300, 400 yds) with a 308 bolty - still to see if it happens

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Rifle for Appleseed Project shoot?

I don't think I would buy a rifle just for a traing event. I'd figure out why I was going to the event, or what I was training for, and take the rifle I planned on using.

Example if I was a small game hunter, I'd take my small game 22. If I was training for Multi or Three gun I'd take the rifle I plan on using for that.

There are exceptions of course, if you hunt prairie dogs with a single shot, you centainly coudn't use a single shot in Appleseed.

So set back and determine what you want to to after Appleseed and choose your rifle accordingly. If you're going to hunt with a bolt gun, then go to the school using a bolt gun.

I realize that a magazine change is required, so you may have to barrel a magazine or clip feed rifle for the event.

The bolt action is more then fast enough to be used in the rapid fire stages.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Rifle for Appleseed Project shoot?

+1 Kraig

All,
Remember, the Appleseed Project is about learning how to shoot, not about proving you already know how to do it; therefore, any iron sight rifle will work. If you want to prove you know how to do it enter an NRA HP tournament. One more thing, I like the Appleseed Project's curriculum as it does not require delivery from highly skilled coaches; yet, this training is still enough to get most interested shooters off to a good start no matter their destination.

 

[Win308]

Re: Rifle for Appleseed Project shoot?

I used a Marlin 795 with a Nikon Prostaff 4x32 scope and nailed the Marksman patch my first try. You definitely want to use an auto loader as opposed to a bolt action to meet the timing constraints. I have since bought a set of Tech Sights, and I plan to try again with them, although my old eyes will have to work harder. Some shooters commented that it is easier with a scoped rifle, but the truth be told I was the only shooter that achieved Marksman out of 15 shooters, 6 others of whom also had scoped rifles.
I think it is especially important to sight your rifle in from a bench rest before you head to the Appleseed shoot or you will either not know exactly were your rifle is shooting or waste time sighting in instead of improving your technique which is really what they are there to teach you.

 

[Longshot231]

I was thinking about getting into Appleseed as well but wasn't going to get another rifle specifically for that purpose. I like shooting with iron sights a lot, despite my old eyes.

I have an Anschutz 64 MPR with target sights. With my aging eyes, I can really make out the aperture in the front sight as clear as it was almost 30 years ago when I got the rifle. The only handicap with this rifle is that the 10-round magazines suck. Very few people that I know of can get those stupid things to work.

So I'm stuck using 5-round magazines. I'm pretty fast with a bolt action rifle and this one makes it even easier. Even with that, changing the magazines would really slow me down.

So I got a Ruger American Rimfire and about $800 later, I turned it into this. The tech sights are good for what they are designed for but I had to get the extra rear aperture which is larger and easier to see through because it's mounted too far forward on the RAR receiver. With my eyes, I can make out the front post okay in good lighting conditions. Yet, it isn't as clear as the Anschutz 64 MPR.

The factory stock on the RAR sucks. I've seen this on 4 rifles which includes mine. The recess in the plastic factory stock is a little too large. When the first round is chambered, the bolt, acting in concert with the first round causes the magazine to tip forward. After the first round is fired and extracted the 2nd round's bullet is jammed against the back of the barrel because of the magazine being tipped forward.

I've installed Boyd's stocks on 4 different RARs and haven't had any feeding problems since then.

Glades armory makes an extended bolt handle which makes all the difference in the world. Combined with a Timney trigger at 1.5 pounds, I got a great little rifle to walk in the woods with.

The cans in the photo below were shot at 100 yards, prone with the sling and with cheap Federal Auto Match ammunition.

So, would this rig be good enough for Appleseed?

 

[308pirate]

I was thinking about getting into Appleseed as well but wasn't going to get another rifle specifically for that purpose. I like shooting with iron sights a lot, despite my old eyes.

I have an Anschutz 64 MPR with target sights. With my aging eyes, I can really make out the aperture in the front sight as clear as it was almost 30 years ago when I got the rifle. The only handicap with this rifle is that the 10-round magazines suck. Very few people that I know of can get those stupid things to work.

So I'm stuck using 5-round magazines. I'm pretty fast with a bolt action rifle and this one makes it even easier. Even with that, changing the magazines would really slow me down.

View attachment 7534685

So I got a Ruger American Rimfire and about $800 later, I turned it into this. The tech sights are good for what they are designed for but I had to get the extra rear aperture which is larger and easier to see through because it's mounted too far forward on the RAR receiver. With my eyes, I can make out the front post okay in good lighting conditions. Yet, it isn't as clear as the Anschutz 64 MPR.

The factory stock on the RAR sucks. I've seen this on 4 rifles which includes mine. The recess in the plastic factory stock is a little too large. When the first round is chambered, the bolt, acting in concert with the first round causes the magazine to tip forward. After the first round is fired and extracted the 2nd round's bullet is jammed against the back of the barrel because of the magazine being tipped forward.

I've installed Boyd's stocks on 4 different RARs and haven't had any feeding problems since then.

Glades armory makes an extended bolt handle which makes all the difference in the world. Combined with a Timney trigger at 1.5 pounds, I got a great little rifle to walk in the woods with.

The cans in the photo below were shot at 100 yards, prone with the sling and with cheap Federal Auto Match ammunition.

So, would this rig be good enough for Appleseed?

View attachment 7534690

That will work

If I ever decide to go to one and take the "red hats" to school, I'll bring this

 

[KYAggie]

Man, this is the resurrection thread of the week......Feb 3, 2012......almost 9 years covered on cobwebs. I did an Appleseed at least 10 years ago with a 10/22 and Tech Sights and loved it. I learned a lot about position shooting and about several modifications I needed to do to my 10/22 to make it more reliable like radiusing the back of the bolt. Perhaps I’ll do it again just for fun and the see if my modifications helped.

 

[Longshot231]

That will work

If I ever decide to go to one and take the "red hats" to school, I'll bring this
View attachment 7534763

That's a CZ; correct? If so, that's an accurate rifle.

I keep looking through the Tech-Sights on my RAR and it's just not the same as my MPR. I can shoot with the RAR but it's a struggle compared to the MPR.

Do they frown on scopes at Appleseed? If not, I see the Midway has a sale on the Vortex PST Gen II in 2-10X. My finger is hovering over the buy button.

 

[Longshot231]

Man, this is the resurrection thread of the week......Feb 3, 2012......almost 9 years covered on cobwebs. I did an Appleseed at least 10 years ago with a 10/22 and Tech Sights and loved it. I learned a lot about position shooting and about several modifications I needed to do to my 10/22 to make it more reliable like radiusing the back of the bolt. Perhaps I’ll do it again just for fun and the see if my modifications helped.

I use to do a lot of highpower. I got more time on an M-1 Garand than I do an AR-15 or M-16. All of the positional shooting is second nature to me.

I had the M-1 out a few months ago and shooting at steel to 800 yards with just plain ball ammo. It was the most fun that you could have with your pants on. The sights on the M-1 are easy to see.

The MPR is the same way. I shoot steel out to 100 yards with it and can see those sights without any problem. The Tech-Sights are another matter.

The front sight post needs to be squared off more. It tapers too much. 30 years ago, it would not have been a problem for me.

Williams stopped making the sight set for the RAR. That's a shame because the front aperture sight would be great to use.

That Vortex PST 2-10X is looking better all the time.

 

[308pirate]

That's a CZ; correct? If so, that's an accurate rifle.

I keep looking through the Tech-Sights on my RAR and it's just not the same as my MPR. I can shoot with the RAR but it's a struggle compared to the MPR.

Do they frown on scopes at Appleseed? If not, I see the Midway has a sale on the Vortex PST Gen II in 2-10X. My finger is hovering over the buy button.

It's a CZ 452. Very accurate. I have a SIG Romeo5 reflex sight on it, as at 54 I can't focus on the front sight well enough any more.

Appleseed has been allowing optical sights for years now, and I have scopes I could put on the 452, but reflex sights without magnification are tailor made for appleseed IMO.

I'm not new to shooting with a sling. I made master classification in NRA Highpower Rifle and could shoot master level scores with both my AR-15 Service Rifle and with a custom target rifle repeater made on a pre-64 Model 70. Not a problem to run the bolt on rapid fire strings.

Here are some targets shot with that rifle and sight, just that M1 sling, no rests or bipods.

50 yards prone, slow fire. The low shots were finding zero from 25.

100 yards prone slow fire. Held over right at the top of the paper to get them in the 10 ring

 

[KYAggie]

I had the M-1 out a few months ago and shooting at steel to 800 yards with just plain ball ammo. It was the most fun that you could have with your pants on. The sights on the M-1 are easy to see.

I agree! When I went to that Appleseed shoot years ago, there was a guy there with a M1 from the CMP......I asked a lot of questions and now I have a HRA, Winchester, and Springfield. That was when you could buy 400 round cases of HXP for $.35/round delivered........so glad to have stocked up back then. I love my M1’s. I put a Burris scout scope on the Springfield which really tightened up my groups. I’m not sure I could hand load ammo that’s more accurate; HXP is 1.5 MOA out of it. I’m happy!

 

[Frgood]

MY first appleseed was a CZ 457, It was fun and I loved every minute of it. Sadly, at the time I was 55 and out of shape so between movement and the bolt action, I worked to keep up. I later went with the Marlin 795 and it was easier. But learning with the bolt action brought back a lot of happy NRA Jr. memories and promotes a universal skill.

 

[Longshot231]

I could not hold out any longer. I bought the Vortex PST 2-10X scope. The low magnification will still enable me to shoot the rifle offhand.

On the other hand, I may just resort to the MPR for Appleseed and practice with swapping the 5-round magazines as fast as I can.