Need Appleseed Info, Please

Hi!

Has anyone here done the Appleseed two-day events? I'm trying to get some info. I'm not exactly new to rifle shooting, but would enjoy the brush up. I'm looking at the cost of tooling up for this event and it looks pretty high. I've got an AR-15 and a Garand, but in this political environment, both those are extremely expensive to feed 250 rounds per day for the event. CMP HXP would come to $225 for the Garand and commercial .223 would be about $180. For a bit more than the cost of rounds for the AR, I could pick up either an inexpensive Savage MKII bolt action or Ruger 10/22 semiauto to feed at $40 for the event. I understand you probably want to bring out the bigger hardware for the second day, though.

Educate me! Not unlimited funds and trying to both handle the event and look to the future.

Bob

Project Appleseed Report - 4/18-19 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

Be glad to answer any other questions you might have (if I have the answers!!)

Also: The Appleseed Project

Below the eagles, more information (FAQ's, Schedule, etc.)

Try to attend one, if at all possible. (Semi-auto I would recommend, unless you're quite proficient with a bolt gun).

No problem with bringing a 10/22...doesn't have to be a big-bore - and that goes for both days. (I used a Marlin 990, a M1 carbine, M1 Garand, and Mini-14!!).

Thanks!

I've read a lot of their materials and in some ways they brought up more questions than they answered:

On one sheet they suggest having 250 rounds per day and on another they suggest 150 for Saturday and 250 for Sunday. Better safe than sorry?

They say 22lr is fine for Saturday and high power is better for Sunday. True? and why?

Does everyone show up fully-equipped - ie shooting vests, mats, the whole nine yards? Sounds like you need to invest in a range cart just to get started!

I'm looking at the inexpensive 22lr auto rifles and not seeing many with sling swivels. I'm just wondering if down shifting to the smaller, inexpensive rifles is counterproductive (though vastly cheaper) because you aren't learning and benefiting from sling technique?

Bob

I took my 10-yr old nephew & 16-yr old niece (first time in her life she'd fired a gun) to the Appleseed in Birmingham, AL on April 18. First class operation! The kids loved it & want to go back. I aim to take them to another in Sep.

There were 50+ shooters so we were divided into 2 groups: experienced & novice which is where we were sent. Of the 25 shooters in our group, about 90% had .22s; 1 or 2 AR-15s. It had rained the night before so the ground was wet; it sprinkled briefly & then rained briefly but enough to soak all the guns. Most shooters had mats but they ranged from real shooting mats to pieces of rug; exercise mats and tarps.

Many shot .22 both days, some shot HP both days, a smattering did .22 on Sat, then HP on Sunday. It seemed to be a matter of personal preference. I would surmise that .22 on Sat would give you familiarity with the course, while on Sunday with HP, you could apply what you'd learned on Saturday. I observed no prejudice or discrimination towards those that shot solely with a .22 (and, of those, the great majority used a Ruger 10/22).

As Kirk stated, mats ranged from tarps to carpet remnants to regulation shooting mats. DO use some sort of mat, with padding on your elbows (if not a shooting jacket, then try knee-pads)!!! Your elbows will take a LONG time to heal if you forego a mat and padding of some sort. I did notice that some of the 10/22 shooters had jury-rigged a sling attachment to the front barrel band - nice to have a QD sling swivel up front so you don't have to wiggle in and out of a sling every time you go forward.

I don't know what refreshments are available at the Project Appleseed you're going to be attending, but - take a lunch and drinks - lots of water if it's gonna be hot.

Safety gear - spotting scope or binoculars - staple gun (and staples!) - a chair - all the usual paraphernalia.

It's very informal, but educational and entertaining - I'm looking forward to my next one!

A 10/22 with tech sights and a GI sling (M1) type work great. Most of the first day is shot at 25 yards so a .22 is a cheap way to shoot. Tech-SIGHTS Precision Shooting Accessories You will be taught to sling up GI style so the loop sling works best. It's a good way to bush up on your positions as they go though prone, setting,and standing. You will shoot at a AQT target that is hard to see with older eyes but what a challenge to score a rifleman score on. After the Appleseed the 10/22 with tech sights can be used as a trainer for your military rifle same sling, peep sights, ect ... The history lessons they teach will make you think about what our country is about and what it took to get us here.

Thanks. Keep the info coming please, folks. I went out on the 'net and found a replacement bbl band for the 10/22 with a sling swivel. Thot's nifty.

Bob