So, I took my 15-22 to a 2-day Appleseed shoot this weekend. Here's some info if you don't know about these events Project Appleseed Home. I had a ton of fun and would recommend these shoots to anyone who is interested in the history of the American Revolution riflemen and learning/improving rifle shooting skills. Plus, you get the chance to earn a rifleman patch by shooting expert on the Army Qualification Test.

I did not earn the patch, but I learned enough to significantly tighten up my groups. Also, learned to shoot in the seated position which turned out to be my favorite position....seated Indian style with the backs of your elbows braced against the front of your knees. That was very comfortable and stable. The prone position was very stable but after wiggling around on a mat for 2 days, my elbows were pretty raw.

The 15-22 performed admirably. I'm sure it's more accurate than I can shoot it. I did have a few failures to feed with the Federal value pack in the blue box.

If you think you might want to attend an Appleseed, here are a few tips.

1. bring elbow pads - not the military type with the plastic cups because they will slide too much on carpet
2. have your rifle set up to accept a USGI web sling so that you can learn to use the loop, hasty, and hasty hasty sling
3. If you have an iPhone, download the free app called AQT Calc. This will make scoring your AQT targets very easy and fast.

After my elbows heal, I plan to get some elbow pads and practice all that I learned. Then, I will attend another Appleseed and get that patch.

Did you wear something long sleeved?

No, it was 80-something degrees this weekend. Unbelievable! The GA summer is several months ahead of time.

I did put on bandages this morning before getting started. Should have done that Saturday morning I guess.

Oh, I am very familiar with Georgia weather. I used to live there and was in Atlanta two weeks ago.

Bummer about the skinned elbows, though.

The CT weather must have been a huge change for you then.

I lived there in the mid-60s. I have lived in three other states then, including 18 years in Baltimore before retiring up here five years ago to be near to my daughter and her family. This isn't too difference from Baltimore, on average, but it sure isn't the South!

Next time you go, take Federal Auto Match or CCI Minimags. Bulk ammo isn't reliable enough.

Also, take plenty of water. When you get dehydrated, your eyes fail first.

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*Aim small, miss small...

Thanks! I'll definitely get better ammo for classes/matches.

I was well supplied with water and Powerade, but I did learn that your eyes start to fail if you hold your breath too long. We also learned about shooting between breaths (riflemans cadence).

The 15-22 started the weekend looking like this.



The 15-22 ended the weekend looking like this. Since Appleseed encourages learning to use irons first, I removed the red dot. Then I needed a way to attach the USGI sling so I changed out the front sling attachment and the stock. Removed the vertical grip so that I could use the whole length of the rifle to adjust for elevation. Also, added more rail covers. Thankfully I already had these parts on my Daniel Defense. We used 2 coozies and some Alabama chrome to make a cheek riser.

I plan on doing an Appleseed pretty soon. The only thing that I'm concerned about is how much actual time will be spent shooting vs the time receiving a history lesson and information about the revolution.

I also have the MOE stock, so I either need to thread the sling or use the QD socket that's on the lower in conjunction with my front QD socket that's on the rail. How did the sling setup work for you?

I've been wanting to do this for a while. Would want at least 2 more short magazines anddd I need an expensive sling attachment point on the quad-rail. Would just buy the sling that they sell at the Appleseed online shop.

There might have been 2 hours of history over the 2 days and a good part of it was done during the lunch breaks.

For the seated and prone positions, you will use a loop type configuration that only attaches to the front of the rifle. The other end loops around your upper arm. I didn't have any problems with that. The problem was with using the hasty and hasty hasty configuration. The rear of the sling has a wide attachment point that didn't want to work with my QD swivel. I might have 1" instead of 1.25" attachments. That could have been overcome, but since I was borrowing a sling, I didn't want to take things apart.

We only used 2 10-round mags. You would only need more in case one of those broke.

Project Appleseed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I enjoyed your sharing of the experience. Pretty cool in my book!

Give 'em heck the next time you go out.

Hobie

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Laissez les bons temps roulez!

Oh, nice. I do want 4 short mags at the range too so it works out Really don't want to pay $30 for this:

Melissa5, were you in Elberton? I know they had an Appleseed event there Saturday while I was on the rifle range w/ my daughter and her boyfriend.

Yes, that's a very nice club in Elberton. Wish I were closer than 1 hour away.

Something like this would work better with the USGI sling.

What does that plug into?

Sorry, I forgot that part. You can get one pretty cheap on eBay or you can pay more than $30 just depending on what brand you get. Make sure it's the 1 1/4" type not the 1".

ARR-270 - AR-15 Quick Detach Sling Swivel Leapers UTG Solid Steel 1 1/4" Sling Loop Picatinny Mounting Base

$12 and works fine for Appleseed.

Sweet, thanks! I don't order from Cheaperthandirt. They're ignorant towards CA's gun laws so I don't give them m oney. They probably wouldn't let me order it if I tried.

I don't buy from them either. They have pretty good prices but their shipping in outrageous.

They are local to me, so never think about shipping. That part is probably available on Amazon though for same price or less.

I wish Midway had a 2nd shop in California for some reason Would loveeeee to wander around there for a while. Their shipping is high too (which means I have to order more) but they're very CA friendly so I love em!

One final note, a day or two before you actually go to an Appleseed event, take your rifle to the range, and fire at least 25 rounds through it with the ammo you're going to use for Appleseed, and DO NOT clean your rifle after shooting the 25 rounds. Your rifle will shoot more consistently if the barrel is seasoned to the ammo you'll be shooting.

You may also want to take that time to make sure your iron sights and scope are dialed in at 25 yards.

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*Aim small, miss small...

I really enjoyed reading your post about the appleseed shoot. I am heading to one at the end of the month in Toccoa Ga. I am looking for any info i can about what to expect for the weekend. thanks

Don't they teach you how to sight in when your there?

There's time to confirm zeros. And, I hear, many folks have shown up with a rifle they have never shot before. But it would be a good idea
to have your rifle sighted-in before you go.
It's the same principle as sighting-in before deer season, eh?

If I hunted, I'd definitely sight in before haha. Makes sense. I just figured Appleseed brought a lot of beginners in so there would have been time to learn to sight in.

I don't know if they do or not (I would assume so), but I've heard that things move pretty quick, and the more people they have, the faster things have to move in order to get in the full course of fire for everyone. You may not have a lot of time to adjust your gear before the shooting starts.

It's not real hard to sight in (or find out how), and the more familiar you are with your sights/optics, the easier it will be. A couple of weeks ago, I sighted in three optics on two rifles with fewer than 10 rounds of ammo.

The prudent shooter will be prepared for the event and be able to work on technique rather than worrying about having to zero sights/optics.

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*Aim small, miss small...

I know how to sight in but not very quickly.