Help Choosing a Liberty Training Rifle-For Appleseed Shoot

[JAG2955]

So, me, the wife, and some friends are going to be attending the Appleseed shoot in Ramseur, NC later this month. I want to bring a .22, and my AR-15. I already own 3 .22s, but one is a single shot, one is a chewed up Marlin 60, and one is a Marlin 25N.

Appleseed recommends Tech Sights http://www.tech-sights.com for the rifles that you'll be using. So what I'd like to do is buy a pair of inexpensive .22s that will work with those. I'm leaning towards one Mossberg 702, which has Tech Sights available; but I'm torn on what to order for the other.

I'd really like a Savage Mk II with Accutrigger, but I'd like AR-15 style sights for it. Williams makes a receiver peep that will fit, but you need a taller front sight post, which I can't find any information on. I'm leaning towards this because of the glowing reviews of the Accutrigger, and I could also use it to blast groundhogs in PA with. (No semi-auto rifles for hunting.) Anyone have a Savage Mk II that could tell me about the front sight?

My other options are a Ruger 10/22, or a Marlin 795. I'm not a huge fan of tube-feed, and I'd like a boltie, if possible.

[Aglifter]

I thought you could use a semi rimfire for hunting in PA? We used to shoot groundhogs on a regular basis w. a semi Weatherby -- of course, we were shooting those bums out of a horse pasture at every opportunity, not hunting them.

[Mud_Dog]

Awesome place, I've been there 3 times for Appleseed events. You really are going to want a semi-auto and something that has 4 mags of 10 rounds or similar that has a sling on it. It's not to say that you won't have a blast, but it will make a big difference since that is what the course is designed around.

I picked up a 10/22 and some TechSights before coming to Michigan, and mounted a sling on it later. It really made a difference when I picked up my Rifleman badge in Ohio late last summer.

If you call ahead, they normally try to bring extras for you if they have any spares left, you just supply the ammo, extra magazines would be nice too since they may have some go down or just run out.

[Ben S]

I've had excellent experiences with Marlin's 22's

They are inexpensive, and very accurate for the price.

If you want an auto-loading mag fed 22, they have their 795 rifles, and for bolt action there are the 980 and 925 rifles.

I bought a 981t for $185 a while back because I was so impressed with another one that I had shot. This thing will hold groups of about 1.5-2.0" at 50 yards with Remington/Federal/Winchester 500 round cheapo bulk pack ammo all day long. And I'm not even all that good.

[Rumpshot]

To echo MudDog, the Appleseed course of fire is tailored for the M1 Garand, or the Ruger 10/22. It works with other rifles, but having a semi-auto with 8-10 rounds, detachable magazine fed AND a sling is the best and easiest way to meet time constraints (timed fire events). Tech-sights are good, but less necessary. Good IRON sights are, again, best. Any sight is accepted, including scopes. With iron sights a rear peep sight is the best.

People have and do qualify as Rifleman with bolt action guns. Tube feed magazines are "a work-around" situation.

.22 is recommended in the interest of fiscal responsibility. Your AR is perfectly acceptable. Just remember you will be going through a MINIMUM of 250 rounds per shooter, probably closer to 400 rounds or more.

If you have them, bring snap caps to facilitate the "ball and dummy" session.

Look over the appleseed website and find the recommended list of what to bring. Read and heed that list. Doesn't matter if it is the middle of winter, bring sunscreen, the middle of summer, bring a jacket.... Bring lots of water and snacks. Eat an energy bar between line periods, while the debriefing is in progress.

Most of all, listen to the instruction, apply the instructions, and have fun. You will be a better shot after the course of fire.

[AlaskaTRX]

So, me, the wife, and some friends are going to be attending the Appleseed shoot in Ramseur, NC later this month. I want to bring a .22, and my AR-15. I already own 3 .22s, but one is a single shot, one is a chewed up Marlin 60, and one is a Marlin 25N.

Appleseed recommends Tech Sights http://www.tech-sights.com for the rifles that you'll be using.

My other options are a Ruger 10/22, or a Marlin 795. I'm not a huge fan of tube-feed, and I'd like a boltie, if possible.

I have a set of those Tech Sights waiting to be put on my 10/22, but I kinda want a longer barrel. Not sure who makes one that actually allows the mounting of a front sight, though.

[Netpackrat]

I have a set of those Tech Sights waiting to be put on my 10/22, but I kinda want a longer barrel. Not sure who makes one that actually allows the mounting of a front sight, though.

Tech Sights makes a sight base adapter for the .920" barrels, or you could have a gunsmith install something more generic.

[JAG2955]

I think that I might have made up my mind. I'll go with two Marlin 795s, because they're on sale for $100 at the local Dick's after rebate. Most stuff that I've read gives them great accuracy reviews, and having two will be a benefit if I ever break them.

[Windy Wilson]

One of the women who helped run the July 2008 Appleseed at Piru, CA had the nickname "SavageShooter" because she passed the qualifying test with a Savage MKII bolt action rifle.