IMO, appleseed is one of THE most important things you can teach your kids!
After seeking & finding God and his healing powers, the rifleman mindset and skill is priority #1!
Rifleman (females too!) are responsible, independent and liberty loving persons.
2022 SUMMARY UPDATE – WHAT you NEED
- You NEED a Level3 Rifle for AppleSeed, do NOT even bother bringing a level1 or level2 rifle. (Details below — CTR F For level on this blog)
- If you have any doubts if your rifle is level3 (AFTER Reading this entire blog, you may TEXT a picture to Thomas and he’ll assess if it is or is NOT a level3 rifle (text to: eight zero one- eight one zero – nine eight eight nine)
- You NEED to checkout or signup to borrow a level3 rifle on this spreadsheet> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UzVT4edSR4lAGR9Ai0B8cSuGwOzWzsz564clc-ugrO4/edit?usp=sharing
- smaller youth REALLY need an adjustable stock otherwise they won’t fit the rifle
- You NEED to buy 500 rounds of THE SAME ammo, does NOT need to be “competition match ammo”, but ALL 500 rounds need to be the same make/grain/type of ammo. You need 22 long rifle (LR)
- You NEED to bring a hat, eye and hear protection, even if you signed up for a rifle in the spreadsheet.
- You NEED to read this entire blog and this link > https://appleseedinfo.org/how-to-prepare/
Post 2021 appleseed lessons learned.
- For youth, they do not need match ammo.
- Most youth will struggle with a bolt action rifle because after each shot you lose your natural point of aim and its difficult to get accurate shots within time limit with a bolt action rifle.
- Often, the stocks can be too long for a youth and they will really struggle. I saw one youth “mag dump” just to get it over with. With current ammo prices, that is wasting $50-60 and creating bad habits. Ensure the stock fits the youth, an adjustable stock is highly preferred so it will fit small or large shooters.
- Those with scopes had an much easier time, 10x easier.
- The top 3 youth shooters, all had scopes.
- Ensure you locktight all sighting systems (irons, rails, scopes) – they tend to come loose.
- 22 ammo is super super dirty, clean your rifle daily or if its malfunctioning, clean it as soon as possible.
- 10 rd mags for rugers is king! the 25 rd are too long for prone and other positions.
- If your rifle is not a level3, don’t bother bring your level1 or level2 rifle. Find a level 3 to borrow, or get yours squared away.
- My updated opinion is now the ideal appleseed rifle is an ar15-22, which has all the key features of a successful appleseed rifle.
- adjustable stock
- good trigger – 2.5 lbs to 4 lbs
- good sights – military aperture sights or optic/scope
- ar15-22 has a long rail for mounting scope forward enough. the ruger has a very short rail and is difficult to get the correct eye relief.
- USGI ONLY sling, in order to do hasty and loop sling, you MUST have a USGI sling.
- suggested ar15-22. s&w m&p ar15-22, tippman has a m4-22 or a dedicated 22 lr ar15 upper (with a 1:16 twist).
SIGNUP TO BORROW A RIFLE
I have a FEW rifles to lend out to appleseed attendees. Signup form (first come 1st serve) > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UzVT4edSR4lAGR9Ai0B8cSuGwOzWzsz564clc-ugrO4/edit?usp=sharing
If you have a rifle and want to help sponsor a youth by lending them your 22 rifle, so they can attend, please fill out this sheet>
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UzVT4edSR4lAGR9Ai0B8cSuGwOzWzsz564clc-ugrO4/edit?usp=sharing
REQUIREMENTS: https://appleseedinfo.org/how-to-prepare/
The signup sheet is for the rifle, sling and mags. The lender MAY also lend a shooting mat & safety equipment. I would suggest you buy your own safety glasses and other personal items listed in the appleseed link above ^^
BUYING YOUR OWN RIFLE
- Buy new > https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/ruger%20american%20rimfire
- If you buy online, you’ll need to find a local FFL to ship to. Google it.
- You can also look at gunnies (cabelas is usually over priced IMO, unless you use your CC points)
- Buy Used > https://utahgunexchange.com/?s=Ruger+22&sa=search&scat=9
- Thomas has purchased many used guns and almost never bought a lemon. I would avoid any guns the owner “worked on” because they likely messed it up.
Level1 rifle – this will NOT work for an appleseed
Level1 rifle is just about any 22 rifle that works, is safe and functional. Likely has poor sights like most factory sights and a poor trigger.
Level1 could also be a non-bolt action or non-semi-auto. For example, lever guns are super fun and awesome, but a bit difficult to run a lever action in prone position. Or a pump action, easier in prone than lever, but still not as easy as semi or bolt action.
Level1 rifle person would also have non-match ammo and maybe even mixed ammo types. Having mixed ammo is very bad for accuracy and consistency, you’ll sightin with one type of ammo and then your impacts will shift/change when you change ammo.
“The stock/factory 10/22 sights are next to useless for Appleseed.” (Appleseed instructor)
level1 is no sling 🙁
Level2 – semi-auto
A semi-auto advantages are follow up shots are easy, but the downsides is very few come from the factory with good triggers. And a learner might think, I have more shots I’ll just shoot fast. You can’t miss fast enough to win!
If you already own a ruger 10/22 semi auto – you are at level2 IMO.
Level2 rifles will be adequate for almost all learners IMO.
Buy & use MATCH 22 ammo!
Level2 has “some kind of sling”
Level3 – semi-auto 22 with good sights, trigger and USGI sling
https://appleseedinfo.org/pdf/LTR.pdf
My highest recommendation for an appleseed is a Semi-auto 22 LR, TECHSIGHTS, adjustable stock, good trigger and USGI sling.
Bolt Action rifle NOT recommended for appleseed, a bolt action means you have to readjust your natural point of aim (body position) after each shot, which slows you way way down on a timed shooting sequence.
How to make your ruger 10-22 into a level3 > http://libertyfoxdefense.com/ruger-1022-modsrecommendations/
You can get better, but you’ll have a custom stock, custom barrel and the price will be 4-10x and you’ll have slightly better accuracy.
Level3 has a USGI sling (for adjustment and usability)
Articles/References
Ruger 10/22 mods
WHERE TO BUY SLINGS
make sure you get the 1″ sling and NOT the 1 1/4″ sling
Where to buy techsights:
Tech-sights.com
Thomas has prepaid shipping and often dealer discounts at brownells. If you venmo him and send a link of the items you want, he’ll order it for you.
https://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=tech-sights&ksubmit=y
For example, about $70 instead of $74, plus freeship. We do have to pay scamtax 🙁
