It never fails, when I 7th Step people for Appleseed. They ask what’s the best gun to use for Appleseed? The problem is Appleseed isn’t about using the best equipment to shot sub MOA groups from a bench rest. In fact, you only need to shoot 4 MOA groups, to Qualify for Rifleman. Which means the best gun to use for Appleseed is a gun that shoots 4 MOA or better. There are guns that will make qualifying easier, and some that will make it almost impossible. If you learn the Rifleman fundamentals you can earn rifleman with any rifle.
It never fails, when I 7th Step people for Appleseed. They ask what’s the best gun to use for Appleseed? The problem is Appleseed isn’t about using the best equipment to shot sub MOA groups from a bench rest. In fact, you only need to shoot 4 MOA groups, to Qualify for Rifleman. Which means the best gun to use for Appleseed is a gun that shoots 4 MOA or better. There are guns that will make qualifying easier, and some that will make it almost impossible. If you learn the Rifleman fundamentals you can earn rifleman with any rifle.
I’ve personally watched it done with many different rifles including bolt actions, tube feed, AR-10 and AR-15, and an M1A. The rifle type doesn’t matter. Of course for those who want every advantage they can get. There are those rifles that lend themselves to making Appleseed easier. However, it’s truly up to the individual as to what the best gun to use for Appleseed.
Rack Grade Rifles
The Appleseed Program is designed to teach you how to take any rack grade semi-auto rifle and shoot a score of 210 or better on their AQT. The only major requirements are that you have a sling, and your rifle is able to shoot sub 4 MOA groups. In fact, a lot of what’s done is based on using a rack grade, M1 Garand. The 2 and 8 magazine changes are based on the 8 round capacity of the M1 Garand. Spending a weekend at an Appleseed you will teach the skills to take that rifle and shoot it to its ability.
Calibers
When looking for the best gun to use for Appleseed, caliber doesn’t matter much. Unless you are going to a known distance shoot, where you shoot each target at full distance instead of scaled targets. You will be doing all your shooting at 25 yards. The bullet ballistics and caliber doesn’t play any effect on your ability to shoot a rifleman’s score when shooting at 25 yards.
Because of this, most people use a gun chambered in .22LR because ammunition is cheap. Even high dollar match grade ammo is still cheaper than most centerfire ammunition.
Ammunition cost aside, you should consider recoil. Using a rifle chambered in 30-06 is going to have far more recoil than a .22LR. Appleseed teaches you the proper positions to help negate the effects of recoil on your NPOA. They don’t negate the effects of recoil on your body. 500-600 rounds of centerfire recoil adds up over 2 days of shooting.
Action Types, and Magazines
There are two basic types of rifles that I’ve seen at an Appleseed. Semi-auto and bolt action. I’ve seen people shoot a rifleman’s score with either action. However, the bolt action is a lot harder. Every time you cycle that bolt you change your NPOA. Thus making it harder for you to stay on target. This comes into effect when you have only 55 seconds to shoot 10 rounds.
Another thing to consider is magazine type. You really want a detachable box magazine that holds 10 rounds. Although a tube feed magazine does work, you will have to pause for a few seconds instead of changing magazines. Internal magazines also add another level of difficulty to the AQT. As you will be loading rounds either loose or from a stripper clip, which is more time consuming than switching magazines. With larger capacity magazines, don’t bother the most you will load is 10 rounds. Plus anything that sticks out from under the rifle can interfere with you building the right position when shooting.
It never fails, when I 7th Step people for Appleseed. They ask what’s the best gun to use for Appleseed? The problem is Appleseed isn’t about using the best equipment to shot sub MOA groups from a bench rest. In fact, you only need to shoot 4 MOA groups, to Qualify for Rifleman. Which means the best gun to use for Appleseed is a gun that shoots 4 MOA or better. There are guns that will make qualifying easier, and some that will make it almost impossible. If you learn the Rifleman fundamentals you can earn rifleman with any rifle.
I’ve personally watched it done with many different rifles including bolt actions, tube feed, AR-10 and AR-15, and a M1A. The rifle type doesn’t matter. Of course for those who want every advantage they can get. There are those rifles that lend themselves to making Appleseed easier. However, it’s truly up to the individual as to what the best gun to use for Appleseed.
Rack Grade Rifles
The Appleseed Program is designed to teach you how to take any rack grade semi-auto rifle and shoot a score of 210 or better on a their AQT. The only major requirements are that you have a sling, and your rifle be able to shoot sub 4 MOA groups. In fact a lot of what’s done is based on using a rack grade M1 Garand. The 2 and 8 magazine changes are based off the 8 round capacity of the M1 Garand. Spending a weekend at an Appleseed you will teach the skills to take that rifle and shoot it to its ability.
Calibers
When looking for the best gun to use for Appleseed, caliber doesn’t matter much. Unless you are going to a known distance shoot, where you shoot each target at full distance instead of scaled targets. You will be doing all your shooting at 25 yards. The bullet ballistics and caliber doesn’t play any effect on your ability to shoot a rifleman’s score when shooting at 25 yards.
Because of this, most people use a gun chambered in .22LR because ammunition is cheap. Even high dollar match grade ammo is still cheaper than most centerfire ammunition.
Ammunition cost aside, you should consider recoil. Using a rifle chambered in 30-06 is going to have far more recoil than a .22LR. Appleseed teaches you the proper positions to help negate the effects of recoil on your NPOA. They don’t negate the effects of recoil on your body. 500-600 rounds of centerfire recoil adds up over 2 days of shooting.
Action Types, and Magazines
There are two basic types of rifles that I’ve seen at an Appleseed. Semi-auto and bolt action. I’ve seen people shoot a rifleman’s score with either action. However, the bolt action is a lot harder. Every time you cycle that bolt you change your NPOA. Thus making it harder for you to stay on target. This comes into effect when you have only 55 seconds to shoot 10 rounds.
Another thing to consider is magazine type. You really want a detachable box magazine that holds 10 rounds. Although a tube feed magazine does work, you will have to pause for a few seconds instead of changing magazines. As far as internal magazines these add another level of difficulty to the AQT. You will be loading rounds either loose or from a stripper clip, which is more time consuming than switching magazines. As for larger capacity magazines, don’t bother the most you will load is 10 rounds. Plus anything that sticks out from under the rifle can interfere with you building the right position when shooting.
Scope or Iron Sights
When it comes to the best gun to use for Appleseed having a scope or iron sights matters very little. It’s all a matter of personal preference and what works best for your eyesight. For those with good eyesight, the best iron sights are Tech Sights. They give you the ability to adjust them and are far more accurate than other basic iron sights.
As far as scopes go you don’t need anything fancy. Remember you are shooting at 25 yards. A good simple crosshair and enough magnification to allow you to see the target. The most important is that the scope has a clear sight picture and the right eye relief to allow you to have a good turkey neck, and cheek weld.
Guns to consider
This brings us back to the best gun to use for Appleseed. Since a rifle is honestly a personal choice and feel. The best gun is the one you are comfortable with and can run quick and easy. However, there are few guns that lend themselves to making the Appleseed AQT easier.
Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most common rifles used during Appleseed. The main reason for this is how customizable they are. You can replace everything on the rifle but the receiver very easily. There are millions of modifications for the Ruger 10/22. The other reason they are popular is that they are everywhere. You can’t step into a gun store without finding at least one Ruger 10/22. The downside is they are one of the more pricey rimfire rifles.
Remington 597
The Remington 597 is another semi-auto rifle in .22LR. The biggest difference between it and the Ruger is the it uses a more traditional straight magazine, and the safety and magazine release are in different places. It does have one advantage of having a last shot bolt hold-open. Much like more semi-auto guns. Something the Ruger does not have. The Remington does have many parts available to upgrade it if you want, they are just fewer and slightly more pricey. However, the starting price for the Remington 597 is around $100 cheaper than the Ruger so you have afford to spend a little more if you want to upgrade things right off the bat.
Mossberg 702
Out of all the Semi-auto .22LR, I’ve found the Mossberg 702 is the least expensive. It didn’t take me long to find one with a scope for $160. Now I’m not expecting much for that price. However, I do know they will shot groups better than 4 MOA and that’s all a rifleman need is a sling, and a rifle capable of shooting those kinds of groups. The rest is the skill of the person, not the rifle.
AR-15/10, M1A, Ruger Ranch Rifle
The AR-style rifles, M1A, and the Ruger Ranch Rifle are all great guns to use for Appleseed. The only reason to not use one for an Appleseed shoot is the cost of ammunition. 500 rounds of .223 or .308 can get pretty pricey for accurate ammunition. However, if that’s the rifle you own and you are comfortable shooting it. Then it’s the best gun for you to use for Appleseed.
Conclusion
There is no one single best gun to use for Appleseed. Just like in the military there are plenty of rifles like this one, but this one is yours. The same goes for Appleseed. Even those people who have Ruger 10/22’s not a single one looks exactly like another one on the firing line. The scope is different the stocks are different. Maybe they have a homemade cheek riser. Some have extended mag releases. Every rifle at an Appleseed at some point gets customized to the shooter. As they learn the fundamentals they also learn what it takes to help them perfect those fundamentals. Which means find any old semi-auto rifle that you like. Find an Appleseed Shoot and turn that rifle into the best gun for an Appleseed shoot.