The Best Way to be Prepared for an Appleseed Shoot

Some people love to just show up for a new experience with no preparation, others like to be well prepared for everything.  If you’ve never been to an Appleseed Shoot, it’s hard to understand what you’ll need to be well prepared.  When you register for an Appleseed Event they give you a list of things to bring and stuff you’ll need. There are lots more to being ready for an Appleseed shoot than any simple list can explain.

Prepare yourself

You can have the greatest equipment known to man and still not be prepared for an Appleseed Shoot.  You need to be physically and mentally ready for the event.

Teachable Attitude

The most important thing you need is to have a teachable attitude.  If you show up to Appleseed thinking you already know how to shoot, and you’re just there to show you can pass the AQT.  Don’t bother going at all.  Even the Instructors that have been to dozens of shoots still learn something new every time.  The minute you believe you are good enough, you will shut yourself down from learning.

Physical Shape

Having a tactical shelf, bad knees, and bad eyesight has never stopped a determined person from earning their Rifleman Patch.  Being in good physical shape definitely makes it easier to learn the skills taught during an Appleseed shoot.  During the weekend shoot, you will be going from laying on the ground to standing so many times you’ll lose count by noon on the first day.  Not to mention kneeling or sitting cross-legged.  Thus, having stretched and being in good physical condition before attending an event will give you an edge, and let you concentrate more on learning the fundamentals, than how sore and tired you are by the end of the first day. However no matter what remember a Rifleman perseveres.

Gear To Bring

Appleseed teaches you the skills to take any rack grade rifle and shoot 4 MOA or smaller groups out to 400 yards.  Having all the “right gear” may make things easier for you.  You don’t need a high dollar rifle to earn your Rifleman patch.  You do need one that functions without major issues for over 500 rounds.  Making sure it’s clean and functioning is the most important. The specific type of rifle isn’t as important in Appleseed as the other gear needed for the clinic.  You’ll gain the ability to shoot Rifleman with any rifle.

USGI Sling

The most important thing you’ll need is a simple USGI sling for your rifle.  All the steady hold factors and shooting fundamentals taught during the shoot are based on using a sling.  Which means you’ll want a good one, with good sling mounts.

There are two basic materials used to make a USGI sling.  Cotton and synthetic fibers.  You want the cotton sling.  Both work well, however, the synthetic slings can slip some if you don’t get the clasp tightened down extremely tight.  Which you’ll find having your sling loosen up while you are shooting if very bad.

As far as sling mounts you’ll want ones that are quickly disconnected.  As you will be going from loop sling to hasty sling many times over the weekend.  Having to pull your sling out of the sling mount every time won’t work.  Make sure you have quick disconnect sling mounts.

Shooting Mat

Having a specialized shooting mat isn’t required by any means.  You will want something slightly softer and nicer than the hard ground or cement to lay on while shooting from the prone position.  I’ve seen anything from Yoga mats to moving blankets used for a shooting mat.  Make sure whatever it is you choose to bring with you.  That you can fit your entire body on it, and that it’s got a bit of padding. 

As you want good solid contact with the ground, don’t bring an air mattress or something with too much give to it.  Just enough to protect you from the ground and anything that you wouldn’t want to lay on for hours. For those with sensitive elbows and knees, it’s not a bad idea to grab elbow or knee pads. I’ve seen many people use them. I’ve also torn up my own elbows a few times over a weekend shoot.

Extra magazines

You really only need 2 magazines for your rifle during an Appleseed shoot.  However, it’s really nice to have at least 4 magazines.  I’ve seen a lot of malfunction problems solved by switching magazines out.  Just like guns, magazines wear out and get dirty and stop functioning.  So if you can a few extras it’s in your best interest.

The best thing would be to have at minimum 3 magazines one labeled 2 one labeled 8 and one labeled either 10 or nothing.  This would be a bare minimum.  You’ll want to make sure all of these magazines function correctly and drop free of your rifle easily.

If you are shooting a Ruger 10/22 having a clear magazine is nice, but not necessary.  The clear ones let you see if you have 2 rounds, 8 rounds or even 10 rounds in it.  As long as you label magazines, the clear ones aren’t required but they are still nice.

On a side note there is no need to have more than a 10 round magazine, so leave the longer ones at home if you can.  A magazine sticking out the bottom of your gun can hinder your ability to get slung up correctly.  It also forces you to hold your rifle higher off the ground, to keep from resting your rifle on the magazine.

For those of you without detachable magazines.  Don’t worry.  You can run a tubular fed gun, or use a rifle with an internal magazine.  Stripper clips will help you reload faster if you have an internal box magazine.

Markers & Pens

You most likely won’t spend any time taking notes, however, you will be marking on targets.  Having a marker makes marking your targets to let you know which holes were already there very nice.  While having a pen or pencil to score targets is a necessity.

Hearing & Eye Protection

Hearing and eye protection may be last on the list of gear you think about for an Appleseed shoot.  It’s actually the most important thing to have.  However, since most people who have shot a rifle already have hearing and eye protection, not a lot needs to be said about it.

Just make sure your hearing protection doesn’t get in the way of you getting a good cheek weld on your rifle stock.  Some of the big earmuffs can make it hard to get your head down far enough to get a good cheek weld.  Not to mention they can get uncomfortable on your head after a few hours of use.

As far as eye protection.  Make sure it fits correctly and the lenses aren’t scratched up.  You want to be able to see well with them.  If you plan on using sunglasses make sure they are rated for safety classes and you have a back up clear pair.  You never know when it may get cloudy and dark.

Know Your Equipment

While Appleseed will teach you to take any rack grade rifle capable of shooting 4 MOA groups and qualify Rifleman.  Knowing how your rifle works and functions will make getting a 210 or better on the AQT far easier.  It’s no secret that the 2 days Appleseed clinic could easily take up the whole week and no one would complain it was too long or dragged on.  So to help prevent the stress of the time monkey on your back.  Be familiar with your rifle, have the sights adjusted close to zero and know how to adjust them.  This will save you lots of time while you are trying to focus on the shooting fundamentals and the study hold factors.

Along with knowing the function of your rifle.  Also, know the ammo you are using.  Not all ammo functions well in all rifles.  Semi-auto Rimfire rifles can be very picky about the ammo that functions well in them.  So don’t just buy the cheapest bulk ammo you can find for your gun.  Buy a few different brands and try them out beforehand.  While you may not need high-priced match grade ammo.  It’s likely certain brands of bulk ammo may function better than others in your rifle.

Extra Creature Comforts

Most Appleseed shoots are held at outside ranges.  This means the weather can play a huge factor in your comfort during the weekend shoot.  Remember this when you are preparing for the weekend.  If it’s going to hot and sunny you’ll want to wear light-colored clothes and bring lots of sunscreen.  I can tell you that slings and sunburns aren’t comfortable.

Protection from the Sun

Along with sunscreen for you, bring a towel for your rifle.  Stocks can get really hot when left in the sun.  As you eat lunch or listen to one of the three strikes your rifle can get really hot so have something to cover it up with.  Depending on your shoot boss they may want the action left visible but a towel just over the butt of your gun will still help you.  If nothing else having a towel or two to wipe the sweat off your gun is a good idea.  Not to mention if it starts raining you have something to wipe it down with.

Another thing to consider is bringing an easy up canopy if you have one.  Don’t buy one specifically for Appleseed, but if you have one bring it along.  As long as there’s room on the range, no one is going to blame you for wanting shade.  Who knows you may have 20 people happy to have a little shade or a dry area to keep their gear.

Lots of Water, Stay Hydrated

Don’t forget water and LOTS of it.  Dehydration is not fun.  Heat exhaustion or heat stroke will guarantee you not making Rifleman.  So grab a case of water, or fill up a 5-gallon water jug, and bring lots of water.  While we’re talking about drinks, make sure you forget the caffeine at home.  It’s really hard to relax into your sling when your muscles are shaking for a caffeine buzz.  It should go without saying but I’ll mention it, NO Alcohol, even getting drunk the night before a shoot is a really bad idea.

Conclusion

The best way to prepare for an Appleseed Shoot is to make sure you have everything you’ll need to be comfortable for 2 two days of being at the shooting range.  Having lots of water, and the right clothing is a must.  Protection from the sun or other elements outside is important.  Having a comfortable shooting mat, and a good sling is a necessity.  While having a good reliable gun is a must, you don’t need an expensive tricked out rifle to make Rifleman.  Knowing your rifle and having ammo that it shoots well, will go a lot further than anything else.  Above all else, no matter what, you must have a teachable attitude.  You need to go to every Appleseed shoot expecting to learn something and improve the skills you already have.