After having shot a 10/22 with a Kidd trigger and decent scope on it, I realize how much difference a couple of modifications can make.  

I have a GI sling with tech sites on 10/22s - I did put on an auto bolt release on each of them.

My stock trigger must pull at 7 or 8 pounds and is gritty.  My totally stock mag well caused the mag to stick during the timed events and cost me points.    One knowledable shooter next to me [who does his own gunsmithing] suggested using polishing compound or very fine sandpaper in/on it and the mag plunger.  

An instructor showed me his rifle and let me dry fire it [during prep] with a Kidd trigger and it was an amazing difference [I had no reference point to know what a difference a better trigger will make/feel].  He also said Brimstone is a less expensive, slightly less improved trigger upgrade.  

I'm going to do one of each trigger mod on two of my 10/22s.  [which will become my primary and back up for the next event].  Each should also have improved/smoother mag wells, as I understand by doing this?  

I'd also like to get scopes for them.  Not knowing much about this stuff what scopes are recommended.  I'd imagine they don't have to be 'super duper' for a 25 meter shoot but I'll probably want to do a KD shoot at some point so should probably buy to be able to use for both.  Again, the same instructor suggested a scope that is too powerful can sometimes work against a shooter.  

So here is my 'ask' for this thread.  Put all your improvements for a 10/22 Appleseed event rifle here.  What kind of glass, trigger, mods, do-dads, etc.  

Nothing is going to compensate for practice/skill [which I need to do] but no reason to handicap success because the best tool was not prepared and used.  

My goal is to build the rifles and practice to be ready for the April '24 event, but I am certain this info will help many others who are getting into it want to do their best as well.  

Thanks

Hello SIR. Welcome to Appleseed!

3 to 4 power scope is all you will need to shoot 25 meters AQT.

If you choose to shoot the 200 yard Rimfire Known distance event keep in mind you will need a scope
with lots of elevation clicks for a .22 rimfire drop.

Lots of good info at Appleseed forums

Check it out.

Appleseed Website

I shot my only Appleseed, so far, back in April with this:

Attached File


The tape and padding were added at the event.

The only aftermarket part was the mag release.

It now looks like this:

Attached File


Bolt release added.  Scope moved forward.  New barrel and stock.

Waiting for my old boss' shoulder to recover from surgery before we shoot the next event likely in April.

Check the Appleseed store for a scope and mount.  The scope they show has a parallax adjustment.

This all day!  Appleseed Store Rimfire Scope Packages

The Vortex 2-7 Rimfire scope has all the things you could need, with a focus ring/parallax adjustment, with that excellent Vortex warranty.

Remember, though, as nice as upgraded triggers and other such fabulous goodies are, this isn't a gadget race.  People qualify ALL THE TIME with stock equipment.  I didn't upgrade anything on my 25m rifle at all until several events in. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I did them, but don't let yourself get sucked into thinking it's too hard with stock gear. It is not.

Rack grade rifle, standard commercially manufactured ammunition (yes, even golden bullet) and a properly functioning rifle and sighting system will get the job done if you properly implement the techniques taught.

That said

Even the Ruger BX drop in trigger is a noticeable improvement over stock.  Volquartsen makes some great stuff.  If you really want to get fancy, go the road 383 went and mount it in a Boyd's AT-One stock. That adjustable cheek riser was developed with Appleseed in mind, according to the folks I spoke with in their booth at NRAAM a few years ago.  It's simple enough that failure of the mechanism is nearly impossible. The model for the 10/22 is pretty lightweight as laminate stocks go, too.

I agree with everything DM wrote.  The key is practicing the technique.  

I've ordered the scope from the appleseed website, looks like a great scope at a good price.  As someone who has needed to wear glasses for over 60 years I think it'll get me where I need to be.  

I just went and looked at Boyd's AT-One stock.  Don't really care for the wild colors and I may have used their 'build' wrong but it offered me a stock that wasn't adjustable.  No matter because I think I'll roll with the oem stock for now.  

Thanks All

Hey, Deus.

the build tool is tricky.  I found the AT-One under 10/22 carbine barrel

they do have some "normal" colors.  the attached pick is the nutmeg, so just shades of brown. But they also offer it in a traditional walnut finish.

In the meantime, a nylon cheek riser that doesn't add to the WIDTH of the stock will get the job done. I'll include a link to the one I use on mine.  I do have to add some additional padding underneath it.  Half an inch or so of yoga mat gets it just about perfect.  https://a.co/d/4YzEub9

Cheers

I have the nutmeg one.

Pic is above.

I attended my first appleseed in Sept of this year (2023).

I wear glasses and used a 2004ish Bushnell elite 4200 4-16x42mm.  The highest I dialed it to was 5x.

My 10/22 is a carbine model (bought in 1996) with an "upgraded" Adams & Bennet bull barrel set in a Hogue overmolded stock manufactured around 2000.

Stock trigger that has been lightly polished and a DIY bolt release.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
My best advice for the rifle without breaking the bank.  

You need that sling, the one they recommend.

Use a "decent" scope.  I never went higher than 5x and my scope is parallax adjustable. (I bought a set of tech sights for a second stock rifle and will try them at my local gun range)

If you can afford a better trigger, I would highly recommend it but I did receive my Riflemans patch at end of second day with a stock trigger lightly polished.

Be sure your magazines drop free from your rifle.  Mine did NOT consistently and it cost me time and points and alot of frustration.   I have since modified my Hogue stock ( with a dremel )so that mags drop free.

Trigger press FOLLOWTHROUGH. ( You can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink.)

@Copperhead78

Thanks.  I too wear glasses.  

What did you do with the dremel to make mags drop freely?  

I removed action/barrel from stock and test fit a factory mag into the hogue stock taking note where it was rubbing/tight.  I used a sanding drum (dremel tool) to remove internal plastic material and then reinstalled action/barrel until the mags dropped free.

Not super pretty internally ( I could use a scrap piece of wood as a sanding block to even out marks) but the mags drop free 100% so far.

I shot my Appleseed and scored rifleman without making any changes to a stock 10/22.  Iron sights and all.  Had to use a sling by obviously, but the rifle itself was 100% stock.

The only thing I've ever recommended folks change is possibly switching to Tech Sights, but that's it.

Damn impressive doing it with iron sights.  I've got a set of tech sights to install on my "backup" rifle to try and get some practice in.

I just ordered two BX trigger groups to install to see how a lighter pull will help.  Planning on attending another Appleseed in '24 with some coworkers in tow.

Received the two BX triggers from Grabagun yesterday afternoon and got them both installed after switching out the modified "auto bolt releases."

Just dry firing the originals vs BX there is a very noticeable difference. I don't have a trigger pull scale but it feels like half the pull weight.  

Hopefully I will get to the range this weekend to try them out.

Update:  Went out and test fired one of two rifles with the BX trigger installed.  I would definitely recommend one as an improvement.  From a bench I used a target with all 1" circles (@25yrds) and used two 10rd mags for my string of fire.  I didn't time myself but I used respiratory pause between each shot/circle and did a quick reload after the first mag.  All shots were within those circles.

Dude... that's impressive. Those stock ruger sights leave a lot to be desired.  

I have shoot 2 Appleseeds this year---a traditional 25m and the Rimfire known distance.

I used a Tikka T1x (a bolt gun) and shot the high scores for both Appleseeds...a 247 at 25m and a 49/50 at the 50 to 200 yard KD.

I also borrowed the 10/22 that I used at the first Appleseed and the stupid stock bolt release cost me some points and time. So I my first recommendation would have been to replace the stock one with and aftermarket one.
The trigger doesn't have to be great but any improvements are money well spent.
As an older person (53yo), optics are another thing to spend a little bit of money on to make things easier.   You can't hit what you cant see...so my Tikka has a 6-24x Arken 34mm tube scope. The 6-24x would be perfect for 25m to 200 yards.   I think the highest power I used at the 25m event was about 14x but it was nice to crank it up check shots after completing the stage.   At the 100-200 yard stages of the known distance shoot, I cranked it up most of the way to 24x.   It may not be needed but it sure as heck helped ME!

If you might shoot the KD, then I would suggest a 20MOA canted rail or the Burris Signature rings with the plastic offset ring inserts.



Another thing I noticed at the first Appleseed, I noticed that alot of people had issues with the recommended green canvas slings.   I too had some issues with mine but I might not have been using it correctly.   Luckily I had a Magpul RLS sling set up and used it instead.  It worked well for me but it did slip a little on my arm.


You might also want to consider an extend mag release and 1 or 2 of THESE .    They connect two Ruger 10/22 10 round mags together.   This makes the mags heavier so they always drop free when needed and they make it easier to grab/rotate/insert during the mandatory mag changes.   They are simple and cheap and I find the 15 to 25 round extended mags get in the way of my hand during the sitting and standing stages of the Appleseed.

This has been my experience but YMMV!