Appleseed Shoot with and AK?

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

One of the biggest issues an AK shooter has to get over if he expects do do well is the notion that an AK can't shoot well. This is an old and tired nugget that has been passed around for as long as I can remember. Fact is, most AK's I've seen will shoot to Appleseed standards if the shooter does his part. But instead, he mindscrews himself. Everytime a shot is pulled outside that little black 1 inch square he blames it on the rifle and not his slippery elbows and poor trigger squeeze. The reputation allows an "out" that is socially acceptable. Ohhh... its just an AK. That explains it.

The concept of appleseed is, they will teach anyone the fundamentals to make you a better shot. This is independent of the rifle... Therefore, I say, take your "cheap" AK and your 30 rounders and go there with an open mind and a willing heart.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Wow. Those Appleseed shoots sound really cool. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like any are scheduled with a few hundred miles of me.

 

[_N4Z_]

One other thing to go along with the AK "inaccuracy" thing.

Ammunition.

My AK (which is not a WASR, and wasn't exactly cheap) will not group well with Wolf brand Russian rounds. It is the most widely available/economical ammo available in my area. This same rifle, shooting at the same range, with the same nut at the helm, groups pie plate size @ 100 yards when shooting Barnaul (Brown Bear).

Once I figured this out I scored 1000 rounds of BB for 148.00 online and burned off the remaining Wolf in short order.

Shot 100 rounds of BB yesterday and just mauled the gong at 200 yards with it. No bench, no optic. That gong laughs at me when I try the same thing with Woof. So yes, shooters ability counts, but the diet your animal lives on is a big factor too.


Ya, I'm in the same boat as you FatherKnowsBest. Nothing even close to my neck of the woods. Maybe next year.

 

[funfaler]

Wow. Those Appleseed shoots sound really cool. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like any are scheduled with a few hundred miles of me.

The Appleseed shoots are worth the travel. A couple of friends in a car, the trip will go fast and will be inexpensive as well.

The BETTER alternative is to host one in your "home town" that really keeps the travel expenses low

An Appleseed is not tough to host (I did one on my farm), you really only NEED a 25 meter ranges, with a good berm or hill that will stop lead. If it is on a slant, that is fine, if it is in a pasture that is fine. Private land is the best, as we only have to deal with the land owner, not a board at a shooting range and such. It doesn't take too much effort to get a group of local folks to take an interest and help, as well as make the attendence something to be proud of.

I am not sure if we have had an Appleseed in the "Land of 10,000 lakes", but I know that we would be HAPPY to come up to where the Bratwurst and Hockey are King

Feel free to PM me if you want more information on hosting a shoot. It is fun and rewarding.

 

[Baron357]

Funfaler question for you..

Are these shoots good for first timers too or is it expected that you have some experience?

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

Baron, the Appleseed shoots are specifically geared towards beginners.

 

[funfaler]

These shoots are GREAT for first timers! The stuff taught is everything that the experienced shooter should have learned, but 99.9% of them did not, and everything that a new shooter NEEDS to learn.

We have had great success with new rifle owners, kids, women and seasoned rifle shooters alike.

At my shoot, we had a fella that NEVER shot a rifle. He came to the shoot, we spend some time with him, teaching him about his new FAL, how operate and maintain it. Then by the end of day one, he was shooting near Rifleman score. By the end of day 2, he was just 2 points from making Rifleman score, and would have had I been able to score the card He had some developed skills that crossed over from his profession, but he had never shot a rifle, and perhaps never fired a firearm at all.

No doubt, this IS the place for an inexperienced shooter to start, and no doubt, an Appleseed will offer a great deal to the seasoned shooter as well.

I have been shooting all my life, and the Appleseed shooting has given me the skill and confidence to put lead on the target out to 500+ yards, standard rifle, surplus ammo, iron sights, NO bench or bipod, just a sling. We do it all the time now, at a farm with steel plates at 500+ yards.

You will go home, after 2 days of Appleseed a better and more confident shooter.

 

[Baron357]

It sounds great I wish I knew this much about them earlier b/c their is one going on right now in VT.

 

[funfaler]

Yep, and it sounds like a pretty good one, over 20 shooters, so there is plenty of time for personal instruction, where needed. Don't think of it as you are late for this shoot, just early for the next one :banghead:

The good news is that the North East is very active Appleseed country. There is another Appleseed in Jericho, VT October 20-21. They will be happy to see you at that one

Nickle is very active up there as well, perhaps even some "mini-Appleseeds" could be going on throughout the year. They are just one day, 5-8 hour clinics, but worth the time.

Good luck,

 

[Nickle]

Baron357, what part of New England are you in?

We have a Mini-Appleseed program going in Harvard, Mass (contact crak at appleseedinfo.org, or northeastshooters.com), and a weekly program going in Proctor, VT (where we just held the Aplleseed this weekend), (contact GMB74 at appleseedinfo.org or FALFiles.com). Proctor has been running an AQT program for at LEAST 4 to 5 years now.

Like the man said, there's another one at Jericho, VT this fall, 20-21 October. We'll be on a full distance range, and hope to do a full distance AQT.

How's your shooting at 400 yards?

To the gentlemen with AK's, don't sell them short. I have an "AK" that will shoot 1 MOA groups or so, with handloads. Of course, it's a 7.62, but bigger than 39mm long (7.62x54R). Yes, the AK-74 shoots much more accurately than the AK-47's. Ammo is the biggest part of that equation, both quality and ballistics.

 

[sandanbob]

Just came from Proctor...

I see that Nickle was online last night. I got home around midnight, and after unloading the car, I got ready to hit the hay.

As someone who has has firearms since he was 12, (I am 40 now, but a young 40) I can say that the Appleseed is worthwhile for beginner or more experienced person. I had never had any formal instruction, and very little informal instruction. So, I was shooting at cans and paper targets, with no real plan on how to get better.

In addition to the instructions on making the shots, they also explained how to interpret those shots. 'The target doesn't lie.'

I drove 5-1/2 hours each way for the weekend, and would attend another one (though, hopefully closer to home.) So, if you have the time and ability to attend, please do so.

Regarding the loaner rifles- I believe there are five Ruger 10/22s in a couple configurations (sights.) Three have the Tech Sights, and two have optical sights.

And, even if all you have is a Marlin Model 60, you can do an Appleseed. Loading may have it's own challenges, since you don't have removable magazines, but they will work with you on that.

 

[funfaler]

Hey Sandanbob,

Thanks for the review and letting us know how your Appleseed went.

It is good to hear first hand from the folks that have been there and have experienced the improvement and atmosphere.

Hope to see you at a future shoot, with a bunch of shooting buddies