Hey all,

There is an Appleseed event being hosted at my local range this upcoming weekend and one weekend in April. I've got no formal training on marksmanship and think that this would be a blast (if the wife [who happens to be 5 mo. pregnant with our third child] will let me leave the house for that long.)

So, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these things and if so, would they mind sharing their opinion?

And I was wondering if you guys think that the 15-22 could perform well enough (assuming its operator can... and that's a BIG assumption ) out of the box to be used in it?

Thanks for all your help in advance!

-Squires

Appleseed is a great program.. they teach the basic fundamentals so your target isn't the most important thing... a bulled barreled ruger is what I used yrs ago when I went for fun... but a 15-22 would work fine I'm sure

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

Here are some thread links to Forum member discussions of Appleseed events.

Slinging my 15-22


First range trip with new 15-22

An Appleseed Weekend

Upcoming Appleseed Shoots - nationwide!

Phil,

Thanks! I should've searched BEFORE I posted. It was late and I was tired. Again, sorry.

-Squires

The 15-22 should be more than adequate for an Appleseed. I have yet to find a modern-production rifle (that's in spec) that won't maintain 4MOA. Feed problems, however, are another issue entirely...

Bring plenty of ammo, a good mat to lie on, and lots of water/snacks. And some advil. Definitely advil.

Thanks Zerocool!

I read your posts linked above and they were extremely informative. It sounds like a real blast (pun intended... ouch)

Anyway, barring something unforeseen (Read: God's Sovereignty) then I will be there in April. And I am REALLY looking forward to it.

On a side note, I'll probably only be able to make the first day. If I understood your post it seemed like the first day was primarily instruction with a chance to do the AQT course at the end if you wanted. Whereas on Sunday, it's more about applying the skills so there is more opportunity to shoot and try to qualify. Is that correct?

-Squires

Each area of the country tends to do things a little different - regional flavor, I guess. However, all areas focus on Day 1 as instilling the basics, usually with a couple AQTs at the end. Day 2 is for fine-tuning and more AQTs!

Round counts vary regionally, and you should expect Day 1 to start slow - maybe only 30-50 rounds by lunchtime. By the end of the day you'll probably be well over 200, maybe 300+. A lot of the pace depends on the shooters - we'll keep moving as fast as they can pick things up. Here in NY it's not unusual to see 750 rounds (or more) in a weekend.

The biggest help you can give yourself is a sling and having your rifle pretty well zeroed for 25m before arriving. Some fine-tuning will be done over the course of the day.

Erm, so, yes, to answer your question, if you can only make one day for your first Appleseed, make it day 1!

Squires-

I always have a couple of pairs of shooting gloves in my range bag.

A couple of Appleseeds ago, I took my then new 15-22 and found I really did want the gloves (at least for the support hand) as that rail works on the palm of your hand a bit (or at least it did on mine). I don't use gloves when I use my 10/22 but I did for the 15-22.

Just a suggestion to possibly make your Appleseed shoot more enjoyable. FWIW, I use the inexpensive bicycle gloves found in Walmart's sporting goods section.....no finger tips and relatively cool (with high speed air slots to boot!)

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Stu

Thanks! Just the sort of thing I was looking for. I never would've thought to bring gloves (never had a rifle with a rail system before) and wouldn 't have known what type of gloves either.

Also, what else (other than a rug remnant) do people bring to lay on while shooting prone. I'm not sure where to get a remnant, to be honest.

I know you can get picnic blankets that are plastic/vinyl on side and fleece on the other. Just google it. Also you can always hit up an army surplus for a nice wool blanket.

I picked up a small rug (3x5 or so) from Walmart for about $15. Nothing fancy but it works. A lot of folks are showing up with these mats from Midway: MidwayUSA Competition Shooting Mat PVC Coated Polyester Olive Drab - MidwayUSA ... they work very well, just take a couple tent pegs to stake down the front edge and make sure you put your name on it!

you may wanna bring a small tarp to lay out in under you.... it wont matter if you stay 1 day or all of them you wont have a good time if your butt is wet the whole day

__________________
07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

Is the general consensus that a 15-22 will comfortably shoot into one inch at 25m?

Wanted to float this one again... as I'm on the fence with a 15-22 for an upcoming April Appleseed.
I have a friend with a new Sig522, and he claims that his will not, "... but it's not built for accuracy..."
Plus, I've read a few reports here of folks not satisfied with the accuracy from their 15-22...

These are some 18 yard groups based on the methodology shown at the link at the bottom. This is bench rest shooting with a custom, benchrest quality firearm and, frankly, discredits the "you get what you pay for" notion as the dreaded Remington bulk grouped quite well and just missed the 1MOA criteria. First loser for want of a better term. But the Wolf Match Target sure looks good!
In a perfect world where accuracy at 18 yards stays relatively the same at 100 yards, only a group of 0.18" or smaller will met your criteria for one inch at 100 yards. I highlighted those.

From Print Page - .22 LR Accuracy

I'm just the messenger here. Ain't my testing. See the targets others have posted with groups out of our rifles.

-- Chuck

I'll quote my earlier note:
The 15-22 should be more than adequate for an Appleseed. I have yet to find a modern-production rifle (that's in spec) that won't maintain 4MOA. Feed problems, however, are another issue entirely...

I'll add the disclaimer that I have yet to shoot a 15-22, but they have been through more than a few Appleseeds in various conditions, and they have made Riflemen.

I first started using a 6' long front door entry way runner from Walmart....about $20....worked just fine. I later picked up the Midway mat when it was on sale for way too cheap to pass up.

Both will do the job at an Appleseed.

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Stu