Project Appleseed

You can’t write the story of America without including several chapters about the skill and bravery of our forefathers. On April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord, American colonists stood with muskets in hand and faced down the British forces that were trying to seize their arms. The colonists did it with grit, determination, and superior marksmanship. They were real marksmen: nobly and ably putting their skills on the line in pursuit of liberty.  We are the descendants of those fearless men and women who earned our freedom on the battlefield. We honor their pursuit of liberty by passing along the skills and knowledge that aided them in securing it.

From https://appleseedinfo.org

Project Appleseed

Appleseed is a rifle marksmanship program.  Dedicated  to teaching traditional rifle marksmanship shooting.  This done in the standing, kneeling/sitting and prone positions.  Founded in 2006.  The understanding is the revolutionary war was won by rifle marksmanship.   Appleseed  founders feel that our heritage and history needs to be keep alive in all modern-day riflemen.

The Instructors

Project Appleseed is run solely by volunteers.  The instructors have all qualified at least once in an AQT.  Most of them can repeatedly do it with multiple rifles and without a whole day of practice.  These instructors aren’t just people who went to a shot and can tell you what they learned they can show you it perfectly.

To become an instructor they must go through at least two Appleseed shots.  While at the shoots they must pass the AQT (Army Qualification Test).  Then if they have the right temperament they earn an orange hat. This makes an instructor in training.

Orange hats then go to instructor boot camp.  Where they learn how to teach the fundamentals.  However, unlike other volunteer instructors one class is just the beginning they still have to do more.

Instructors Must Also

• Pass a series of five written, oral and hands-on tests.
• Mastery of RWVA Instructor Manual and other training materials.
• Understudy other instructors at a minimum of five Appleseeds.
• Perform selected teaching duties under the supervision of a full instructor including telling the three-part history of the events of April 19, 1775.
• Mastery of Appleseed’s safety protocols including running a safe line.
• Demonstrating an exact knowledge of Appleseed’s instructional method, including the proper positions, steady hold factors, natural point of aim, rifleman’s cadence, and the six steps of firing a shot.

First Day of Shooting

The first thing you’ll do is get an in-depth safety briefing.  If you’ve ever had concerns about being around strangers with guns, this will put your mind at ease.  Since 2006 Appleseed has never had anyone leave with extra holes.

After the safety brief you’ll get a chance to show how good you already are. While shooting “red coat” targets at 25 yards.  These are scaled to the equivalent of shooting at 100, 200, 250, 300, 400 yards.  This 25-yard distance may give confidence that this course will be easy, it won’t be.  After the first “red coat” target then you start learning the rifle shooting fundamentals.

Fundamentals

Appleseed will teach you how to improve your marksmanship skills.  They do this with teaching you how to use a rifle sling.  Most people only use a sling to carry their rifle.  During an Appleseed you learn to use the sling to turn your body into to a complete rifle mount.

Beyond using a sling you’ll also learn trigger control, natural point of aim, and the shooters bubble.  All of the fundamentals are easy concepts to grasp.  However, they take a lot practise to perfect.  With the whole first day spent on using the fundamentals to shoot from the prone, sitting, and standing positions.  You should get enough practice to attempt an AQT.

Second Day of Shooting

Most of the second day of shooting is spent in the attempt to qualify for Rifleman.  This is done by getting a score of 210 or better on the AQT.   This test consists of shooting 4 strings of fire.  At 25 yards away.  Targets are man-shaped bells yet again scaled for 100, 200, 300, 400-yard size.

AQT

The first string of fire is in the standing position. The target is scaled to represent shooting at 100 yards. You get Ten rounds in magazine.  With a 2-minute time limit.

The second string is scaled for 200 yards.  This one is a little tougher.  You start standing but all firing is done in the sitting position.  You have 55 seconds to shot 10 rounds while having to switch magazines, one magazine of 2 rounds, and the other with 8 rounds. There are also two different targets to shoot at.  So you much 2 shoot 2 rounds switch magazines, shoot 3 more rounds.  Then Shoot the second target with your remaining 5 rounds.

The next string of fire is the standing to prone. With the targets scaled to 300 yards.   3 targets 3 rounds in the first two, and 4 in the last one.  Magazines are loaded 2 & 8 again this time you get 65 seconds.

The last string seems like it would be easy.  With a time limit of 5 minutes you have all the time in the world.  The targets are scaled to 400 yards or about thumb-sized.  Starting in the prone position.  With 10 rounds loaded in one magazine.  This is still the hardest to shot, and with points being doubled the easiest to make or break your score.

Things You Learn

Over the two days, you are constantly learning.   It’s more than just the skills to shoot with a sling. There is an understanding of Minute Of Angle.  Along with MOA, you gain the knowledge of sighting in a rifle, using MOA adjustments.

Appleseed also teaches the history of April 19th, 1775.  This is done by telling stories.  Of course, this is not your typical high school history.  The stories are of individuals and tactics.  They tell the true story of what Paul Revere did and how it.  There are stories of how an 80-year-old man made the Red Coats think they were being attacked by a whole militia.  The history you learn is not only interesting it gives you a new respect for what our forefathers went through for their freedom from Britain.  The best part is finding out how a well-timed trip to the pub scared the British army.

How to sign up

Anyone can participate in an Appleseed shoot.  As long as they are old enough to handle and be responsible with a rifle.  Whether you are a new shooter or been shooting for years you’ll learn something.  To sign up go over to Project Appleseed, pick your state and find the closest shoot to where you live.  It’s that simple.  The cost is currently $60.  This is less money they would spend to shoot for 8 hours at most ranges.  Not to mention far less than you’d spend and any other rifle class. So no matter what you are getting a great deal.

Conclusion

Appleseed is fun.  There is no doubt you will have a great weekend of shooting and learning.  Where else can you spend a whole learning, getting sunburnt, brass burns, and sore muscles?  Yet, get up the next day and be happy to go back again.  By the end of the two days, you will know the skills it takes to be a rifle, marksmen.  Although you may not perfect your marksmanship in two days you will have the skills to practice and become the sharpshooter you’ve all ways wanted to be.