Been wanting to attend one for years and either schedule conflicts or distance to clinic has always stopped me in the past.

Finally signed up and my teen daughter is going to attend also.  Her going is a surprise because those teen years are tough and I'm not "cool" anymore.

We will both be shooting 10/22s with scopes for this first clinic.

Just got two slings and swivels in the mail and a few extra 10rd mags are on order.  Need to order some CCI SV ammo this coming week.

Trying to get a shooting buddy/coworker to go with and maybe bring his 10yr old son.  We will see.

Appleseed will provide you and your friends with marksmanship along with great memories to pass along to other generations.   Good luck and have fun.

Great News! You and your son will have a blast.

If I could recommend something to help before you come.

Make sure you have your scope set up to shoot prone position.

Most people only have it set for shooting off a bench and this will not work usually at an Appleseed.

Definitely spend some time getting your sling and scope set up.  It’s a pretty fast pace and you really won’t have time for it during the event.  Helps to have a good zero as well.

shooting mat

I've been reading and watching some videos about adjusting scope farther forward for "turkey neck" head adjustment.

I'm going to have to experiment a bit at our local range to see if I can find a happy medium.  Definitely not my usual setup because we are typically set up at a bench or prone with tripod.   Sling use is new to us but looks like a win-win in use.

Thanks for the tips.

Don't forget elbow pads.

You will thank me later!

You'll have fun. Hoping to make my third this fall or winter. An actual shooting mat is a big deal. I've had them for a long time but some folks didn't have one. They complained a bit at the hard ground. You are down there a lot.

Some sort of canopy and a chair depending on where you'll be.

Open mind and open ears. I've gone to a lot of pistol and rifle schools. Some were basic and some not. This is old school and traditional marksmanship, which I honestly found to be refreshingly enjoyable.

I zeroed before I went. You'll zero your rifle anyhow. But mine were done both times. made it easier.

Make sure you have the tools to adjust sights.

Don't get so hung up on chasing the patch. I'll admit I did at my second event. I made it. But the first I had to leave early so my second I was determined to get it done. I let the competition with myself get the better of me. Just have fun and learn.

I've got the two shooting mats.

Slings and swivels are mounted.

Waiting on some rimfire rings for the scope going on her 10/22.  I was going to mount tech sights on that rifle if she had decided not to go.

Daughter has elbow pads from volleyball.  I saw online where someone just cut a pair of socks to make some impromptu elbow pads for under sweatshirt/flannel.

Just ordered 2500rds of CCI 40gr Minimags (Standard velocity was $1.25 per 50 more) so we will have extra for class and some to sight in scopes/practice prior to class.

Buddy texted yesterday and he has decided to drop out of this clinic.😞

It's fun and challenging with irons. I don't look down on optic shooters. I made it a personal goal to do it with a stock, besides sights, 10/22. I did. Now I want to go back with my LVT and scope. I did shoot it last time I went. Got into the 230s with glass. So hoping I can get distinguished using glass.

This is this weekend, yes? are you excited?

This is the weekend.  Excited.  Some rain in forecast for Sunday.  Wish us luck!

Good luck and have fun!

Had a great time this weekend at Appleseed.

Saturday 9/23:

Learned some extended heritage on the start of America's fight for independence.

Basic marksmanship and proper use of a military style sling.

My daughter became discouraged quickly at the amount of info for marksmanship instruction and the implementation of that info on making hits downrange.

One of the female Jr instructors was also a lefty and worked with her at the firing line as best she could.  By end of day she stated she wasn't coming back for Sunday.  She typically only goes shooting once a year with me.



I'm going to try and get a rifle set up for her better.  Cantilever scope base, cheek riser and LoP adjustable buttstock.

By end of day I had  cleared the Redcoat target.  

For AQT i was shooting high 190s and low 200s.  I think 202 was my best for Saturday. Instructors were encouraging I could make rifleman tomorrow.


Sunday 9/24:

Instructors were disappointed  that daughter didn't come but they said "baby steps".  

Clearing the redcoat target at start of day was encouraging.

AQTs were still at high 190s low 200s.

A Rifleman persists!

We stop and rest for lunch.  No one has qualified/requalified yet.

.........and then on our next AQT.....I run out of time on seated position and don't get off my last FOUR shots.  Still at 200 points for this target. 🤦🤦🤦🤦

A Rifleman persists!

Third to the last AQT it finally clicks and I score a 222.....RIFLEMAN SUCCESS!

Another shooter (2nd Appleseed attended) scores a 217 for RIFLEMAN!

I take a break on next AQT because some want to try a FAST AQT with all mags loaded and 4min max time.

Last AQT for the day and I score 238 and the requalifier Rifleman shooter also hits 220+ points.

All in all it was a great day/weekend for me and can't wait to go back next year.

Hopefully with some friends......and my daughter.

I see myself ordering some Appleseed targets soon!


To all the instructors and shoot boss Rex, thanks so much again.

What a great weekend for you.

Doesn't sound like your daughter has the bug yet, she might come around.

Sounds like a GREAT weekend!  In the 230s on your first event???  Somebody was paying attention

I know it's disappointing that your daughter didn't enjoy it more.  Perhaps with more time, and lots of patience, she'll try again. Teenagers are inexplicable.

Congratulations, Rifleman!

Congratulations!

A new Rifleman at that!

I'm glad you had a great time.

I see Ruger has a left hand 10/22.  I see one in the near future for her.  All I can do is try.

A couple coworkers were intrigued by my post on Fbook.  Hope to drag a few with me next year.

I think I forgot to mention that I did wear a long sleeved shirt both days........but my elbows didn't care.  🤣

Congrats Copperhead78!!

I didn't earn my patch the first time out.  Good job!

I've found through experience that newer rifle shooters do well by working through the NRA Rimfire Rifle Qualification before trying the AQT.

Your daughter might like to try that before heading back to Appleseed.

Left handed rifles are unicorns, but they're out there. That might make all the difference.

Bring them! That's the 7th step, you know ;)

I've heard of some folks cutting the feet off tube socks and using the straight portion as elbow protection. It's a low-tech low cost solution that may be just enough.  

I think if I got some "redcoat" targets for her to practice on for a bit and then slowly start doing timed shooting at the AQTs.

I can only imagine the frustration being a lefty in a right handed world.  Even the instructors that were right handed were giving her "mixed up" sling use.  One the the Jr. female instructors was left handed and that helped tremendously.

Her being 14 and "dad" not being cool anymore doesn't help either.  Just going to have to do baby steps.

Left handed 10/22 is currently unobtanium at sub $900 right now.  I'm on watch lists to pounce at reasonable price.

10/22 are nice, and I dig the flush 10rd magazine

BUT

Left handed with a stick mag > right handed flush mag if you’re a lefty

Have you considered this? Maybe dress it up with a nice Boyd’s stock in her favorite color?

https://www.academy.com/p/savage-arms-64-fl-22-lr-semiautomatic-rifle-left-handed

That savage is an option.  Cheaper too.  Here I was going to drop a grand on a lefty 10/22 and a aftermarket carbon fiber barrel for her.

Decisions.........decisions

You'll have to let us know how that turns out

My wife has a Savage 64 and it's a great rifle. Shoots very well. She's even been to Appleseed with one.