Anyone Tried Appleseed? Irons vs. Scope for a Newbie

[bearskull]

New hunter here with no marksmanship training. I've been told Appleseed is good for the novice... Does anyone here have experience with the event?

I've also read many threads in other forums that recommend using irons for Appleseed. Given that I want to improve my marksmanship solely for hunting (and therefore using a scope in almost all applications), would it be better to use a scope?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Valkyrie]

I’ve never done an Appleseed shoot but I’ve competed a little in service rifle shooting for my base rifle team using irons on an M16/AR15 match rifle.

The techniques of slinging up and the three positions will seem hard at first and they will be ridiculed by a lot of the tacticool types but I know this, a guy that knows how to use his rifle and iron sights loses nothing to a guy with optics out to 600 yards. Maybe further.

Iron sights are very very precise if you know how to use them and that builds on marksmanship in general that will translate to using optics also.

Try the shoot with irons. You will be surprised how well they work once you really know how.

I don’t have my score sheet handy but my last shoot was a reduced 100 yard course and my offhand score was 92-3x iirc.

 

[circles]

You will learn the material they teach with either irons or a scope. But if you go with iron sights, you should should really get a good set of aftermarket sights, post in the front and a good peep in the back. I'd recommend using a scope, mostly because you probably already have one. Purchase the sling they recommend and position your scope to get good eye relief in a prone position. Zero your gun to be dead on at 25 yards.

 

[Dave0317]

Never been to one. Have talked to guys that have though.

Usually they have an option (or even reccomend) that you use a .22 LR. I think their most highly reccomended set up is a 10/22 with Tech Sights and a shooting sling. I have those tech sights and I love them. They are basically M16 sights adapted to bases that work on other rifles. I highly reccomend this set up. The 22 takes recoil and ammo cost out of the equation allowing you to practice and make mistakes without worrying about the cost of the ammo so much. And it will make for a great small game rifle if you don't be have one already.

If you have a .22 already, tech sights makes several models that may be compatible with other rifles. The Williams peep sight, XS sights, or skinner peeps are others to look at that would probably work.

Also, I hate traditional military loop slings, they are slow.
I have a "The Wilderness" Langlois Rhodesian sling. You can get just as much support as a traditional loop, but it's much faster to loop-up. I really like shooting with it. I have shot some groups that really surprised me with it.

 

[bearskull]

Thanks all. I don’t have a scope yet for the 10/22 so it sounds like irons are the way to go. I really appreciate the in depth responses. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Tango1]

The Appleseed events are excellent for both beginners and experienced shooters. I shot a 2 day class last Fall with my 11 yr old son. As an experienced shooter, it was easy to underestimate the class as many new shooters attend with 10/22s in rough shape. Big mistake underestimating this course. The material covered in class is solid, fundamental rifleman instruction. While some of the instruction may not be strictly applicable to modern hunting or tactical work, it nevertheless forces a shooter to reassess their basic shooting structure, trigger work, natural point of aim etc. Much of the material is similar to classic DCM/CMP Service Rifle shooting. It’s very challenging but an enjoyable school. A great event to attend with your kids, new shooters etc. Super worthwhile exeperince

Regarding equipment, a semi-auto 22 is probably the best tool for the class. You’ll want a box magazine fed semi-auto rifle one way or another. The rapid fire strings of fire are nearly impossible with a bolt gun. It’s about the techniques and training vs the equipment. As mentioned above, if you’re going to shoot a 10/22 with iron sights they need to be military style, Tech Sights. Or use your AR with the standard iron aperture sights. Use a Mil type webbing sling, don’t mess other styles as the class is based on use of this sling. Again, not what I’d use in the field for hunting, but it’s how this class is structured. You’ll struggle with anything else. My son shot an Appleseed-prepped 10/22 and I shot an AR-15. As a 50 yr old with typical aging eyes, I struggled to shoot iron sights through the first relay. I wanted to shoot irons, but the targets used in class are very small (1” squares at 25 yards for initial drills) and I simply couldn’t see/focus on them. Very tough to work with if you can’t clearly see them. After 2 relays I added a 3x ACOG to my AR and I was in the game. Initially I thought using an optic would be “cheating”, but some type of low power magnification is mandatory if you have bad eyes like I do. Again, it’s about being able to follow the instruction and apply their technique.

Best prep for the class would be a 10/22 or AR with Tech aperture type iron sights or a low power optic. Zero it at 25 yards. Bring at least 4 mags. The BX15 works best for a 10/22. Get a Mil type web sling and familiarize yourself with its use. Don’t mess with anything else. Bring a good ground mat, folding chair and food-drinks. Last but not least is show up with an open mind and leave the ego at home. Guaranteed challenge in addition to being a super valuable learning opportunity. Great experience with kids, spouse etc.