What do I need for my first Appleseed?

Generally Appleseeds start with shooting a .22. If you can't dig one up, that's ok. You're going to want at. least two mags for whatever you bring. Whatever you have to throw on the ground for prone is fine. The one thing you're probably going to want is a two point USGI sling. Check your LGS... you should be able to pick one up for under $15. Mostly they'll work with what you have, though. Just make sure you show up!

Buy some elbow pads.

I had my first Appleseed last year, and really enjoyed it. From my experience, here's what you'd need:

• Food. Gotta bring your own.
• A pad, piece of carpet, etc. to lay on when shooting prone.
• Elbow, and maybe even knee, pads..
• A backup rifle, if you have one.

These things are really essential. I'd also guess your 500 rounds of ammo will serve you just fine over those two days. I think I shot 300+ rounds of ammo over my two days. Having extra is always nice.

Most people shoot an Appleseed with .22LR rifles. It's cheaper, easier on the shoulder, etc. I'd recommend a .22 for the first day, at least. The second day is a bit more geared toward more shooting and instruction than the first day, which has some history and story time. I shot day one with my .22, and then shot day 2 with my Mosin-Nagant. Definitely glad I didn't try to shoot both days with my Mosin... but it was fun!

You'll be shooting at 25m unless they do known distance the second day for a short bit. Someone a shoot boss, or instructor will very likely have at least one usgi slings available for purchase on site. You may want some Motrin for the second day if you are not used to getting prone or shooting sitting. I'm sure you'll have a blast. You have enough ammo, make sure you bring "backup" mags as you may discover some do not feed reliably if they are new. If you've shot hundreds through each of your 2+ mags already w/o problem you'll probably be fine. You may want to mark your mags if not yet, so you know which one has 2 rounds and which has 8 - or remember by color throughout the day.

Go with an open mind, and listen to what they say even if you think you have a better idea. Don't be afraid to ask for extra help if you need it or don't understand a position or sling setting. I find boots preferable to shoes when it comes to raising a leg for sitting positions but that is in the eye of the beholder. Try getting into the positions beforehand IF its brands new for you for a few minutes each night. Practice your relaxing in position will help that much with npoa later on.

IMHO, use hasty for offhand and loop sling for everything else. With an AR (just assumed since you said .223 - there's a tendency to cant badly with hasty while prone or sitting.

I second getting into and out of position a bit before you go. When I first started shooting Service Rifle it wasn't easy or comfortable. I used to watch TV and get into position when the show was on, and stretch during commercials. Do that a couple of nights a week till it stops feeling uncomfortable, then you'll be good.

-Jenrick

Very good posts so far.

Don't trade to the 22 mag. if that is your back up gun. Shoot the 223 and u will be fine.

Pads are recommended if you don't shoot prone much. Advil is a yes!

Plenty of food and WATER! don't drink any coffee or pop before shooting, lunch would be fine. drink plenty of water. dress warm, and bring extra. you can always take it off.

Enjoy, listen, try their suggestions even if you think you know better... Ummmm




You will get a lot out of it. I got my rifleman patch the first time but not by much and I just went to take my son. I thought I wouldn't learn anything and that it would be a piece of cake.


Hmmmmm I ate a little bit of humble pie, but at least I did get it....

And Learned!



Have Fun!!!

Shoot your 223. 2moa is fine, and 223 is prefered over 22lr if you can swing it.

Our appleseed usually provides carpet, but a yoga mat or old blanket and some kind or folded cloth for elbow pads would work.

Slings are harder to come by in a hurry, they might have a few spares.

Hey, I'm an Appleseed shoot boss. I'm glad you're coming -- you will learn a lot. The reason most people have started shooting .22s at Appleseed is because a lot of folks can't afford 500 rounds of center fire ammo for a weekend. Since that isn't an issue for you, you are strongly encouraged to shoot your center fire! It really pays to go through the training with your main go-to rifle, since you will develop a lot of muscle memory for it. The .22 LTR is kind of a compromise that is designed to train folks on most of the fundamentals of shooting a battle rifle; but there is no substitute for shooting your actual battle rifle! And 500 rounds should be enough.

A 2 MOA setup is great for Appleseed. You will learn that the "Rifleman's Standard" that we are looking for is to be able to consistently shoot 4 MOA from field positions using rapid fire. As long as your rifle is capable of shooting at least that well (which almost all rifles are), the main issue is whether you are capable of making your body into a platform that is capable of that level of stability and consistency.

For a shooting mat, my personal favorite is a rug or piece of carpet. It is cheap and it works better than any of the commercial shooting mats I have. Wally world usually sells some cheap area rugs for under 20 bucks... cut one of those in half and you have 2 mats!

As for a sling, the preferred sling is an M-1/M-14 issue GI web sling. That's the one with the metal hook on one end and a locking keeper for adjusting it. It is good because you can use it in both the "loop" and "hasty" configurations. The leather 1907 slings work great, too. However, you can use just about any adjustable 2-point sling as a "hasty" sling as long as it will adjust to a short enough length.

I attended my first Appleseed this March and it was great. Be prepared to be humbled but you WILL LEARN and have a great time with great instructors. My biggest problem was my elbows. I got one of the padded Marine type shooting jackets and thought I was covered but the heavy twill inside the jacket allowed my elbows to slide around removing my skin.
My suggestion is to wear soft clothes, get slip on elbow pads with padding.. After my sore elbows made shooting a problem I went to drug store and got some zylocane spray, sanitary napkins and duct tape and immobilized the skin.
Bottom line- get good padded, soft elbow pads, have extra soft padding to add if necessary, and duct tape to keep the pads from moving around. Do all this stuff BEFORE you start shooting.
If the range is not covered bring the appropriate hats and gear for comfort. A lawn chair is handy. Check the Appleseed site for more info.

afponiky said:

... don't drink any coffee or pop before shooting ...

Click to expand...

My only comment about the coffe or soda (pop) is to take into consideration the potential effects of caffeine deprivation if you are used to a certain amount of caffeine each morning. The effects of caffeine deprivation can be as detrimental to good shooting as the effects of too much caffeine. (I'm speaking generically here, not just about Appleseed.)

My advice - drink enough caffeine to stem the tide of the deprivation effects but no so much that it stimulates nervousness or the need to use the bathroom frequently - perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 of your "normal" intake.

On the sling front, a length of cotton webbing and three metal tri-glides will make a very nice loop sling. It's not fast or as easily adjustable as US web sling or purpose built shooting sling, but it is just as stable and works just as well. I actually assembled mine from old slings I had laying around, works like a champ.

-Jenrick

Jenrick, I have some slings that are set up just like you are talking about. I got a grab bag of 25 or so M-16 "silent slings" for $6 at an army surplus store. Some of them were really ratty and missing a buckle, so I took the buckles off them and set some of the others up like the M-14 slings, with the extra buckle securing the rear end of the strap rather than sewing it down. You can adjust length with the front buckle. Not quite as quick and easy as an M-14 sling, but it works. Those are some of my loaner slings for people who didn't bring one.

Most importantly, an open mind. You can't learn anything new or replace bad habits with good ones without an open mind.

Lunch, drinks (water!) and snacks. At my first, we shot until dark.

Shooting mat, carpet remnant or both. In my case, I'll take all the padding I can get spending all day on concrete.

Elbow pads are an absolute must. Knee pads are optional. Didn't use mine.

Notepad and writing utensil.

Sunscreen.

Folding chair.

Plenty of ammo. 500rds is SOP, more is better.

Tools, spare magazines, lubricant and cleaning supplies.

A good sling. Lots of folks use the GI sling, I like a good leather 1907 but they ain't cheap.

If you're running irons, a proper sight adjustment tool is a good thing. Proper zeroing is critical.

I'm sure I forgot something......

Bring 4 magazines for whatever rifle you bring if possible, and/or enough to have 40 rounds prepped (you'll learn that load is only said at AS to describe inserting the magazine and cycling the action) for a round of shooting.