My second Appleseed was essentially a repeat of the first, though with a much larger class this time around. Saturday was dedicated to the grind of learning and dialing in the rifles, so we didn’t actually make it to an AQT. That said, I managed to clear the 200 and 300-yard targets on the Known Distance “Redcoat” assessment, which felt like a solid step up.
All that practice with positional shooting—especially in the seated position—really paid off. My body held up significantly better than it did last month, thanks in no small part to the higher-quality pads and that fancy, high-dollar shooting mat I treated myself to! I even managed to hit the “shingle” on the final Saturday assessment, which was a nice confidence booster.
Sunday was an absolute blast. I kicked things off by maxing my effective range at 400 yards and notched another shingle hit for good measure. To make up for the slow start on Saturday, we hammered through seven AQTs. My scores have improved drastically since March; my low was a 170 (thanks to a jammed magazine that cost me a few shots), and my highs were a much more respectable 200 and 207.
I’ll be honest, though—that 207 felt a bit like a defeat. Missing the Rifleman patch by a mere three points is tough, especially when it came down to a single shot missing the edge by less than 1/8th of an inch.
Equipment-wise, I stuck with the 10/22 Sporter but swapped the ammo. I traded the CCI AR Tactical I used in March for CCI Standard Velocity—you really don’t need the extra punch for 25m, and the consistency is worth it.
The next one is already on the calendar for June! I’ve officially decided to pivot: I’m definitely adding a scope to the 10/22 for the next round.
Lessons learned from round two:
- Gear matters: That high-end mat made a world of difference for my endurance and focus.
- Ammo selection: Switching to Standard Velocity was a smart move for the 25m line.
- Consistency is key: I’m getting closer, and those three points aren’t going to haunt me for long.
-EnglishBob