With my new 10/22 build finally zeroed and cycling perfectly, I kicked off Saturday at 4:00 AM, heading north toward the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. This was my third Appleseed in four months. My previous outings had peaked at a frustrating 207—missing the patch by a literal eighth of an inch.
I’d spent the last month living on the floor in the seated position, stretching my hips until I could find a stable, if slightly painful, stance. I’ve never been a fan of dry fire practice, but I even ground through that in pursuit of the elusive score.
Starting the Day
The morning began with the standard safety briefing: “Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction. Do not load until given the load command. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. Make sure those around you follow the safety rules.”
The first test for the new rifle was the “Redcoat” target. I managed my first shingle hit at the 300-yard effective range—a target roughly the size of a postage stamp. After a lunch break filled with Revolutionary War history and the story of the “First Strike,” we moved into zeroing. I made sure to obsess over my Natural Point of Aim, checking it twice before every string.
The Course of Fire
We made excellent time, leaving us room for multiple AQTs. The Appleseed Qualifying Test is shot over four timed stages in three positions:
- Stage 1: 10 shots in a single magazine, shot standing. Time limit is 2 minutes, shot at 1 large target. Available points: 50.
- Stage 2: 10 shots, loaded in 2 magazines (2 rounds in the first, 8 in the second). You start standing, transition to seated or kneeling. Time limit 55 seconds, including the magazine change! Shot at 2 slightly smaller targets, 5 shots in each. Available points: 50.
- Stage 3: 10 shots, loaded 2 and 8. You start standing, transition to prone. Time limit 65 seconds. Shot at 3 targets (3, 3, and 4 shots). Available points: 50.
- Stage 4: 10 shots in a single magazine, starting prone, shot prone. 4 small targets (2, 2, 3, and 3 shots). This stage counts double. Available points: 100! Time allowed, a pedestrian 5 minutes.
Finding the Rhythm
My first AQT started strong with a 45 on Stage 1, followed by a 43 on Stage 2 (seated, as kneeling is still too unstable for me). I put up another 43 on Stage 3, but choked on Stage 4 with a 70, totaling 201.
On the second AQT, everything finally gelled. I shot a personal best of 49 on Stage 2—traditionally my weakest link. I held my nerves together for an 88 on the final stage, finishing with a 222.
Rifleman achieved. It took three clinics, over 1,500 rounds, and a custom build, but I finally earned the patch. I closed out Saturday with a perfect Redcoat—13 hits out of 13 shots. Sunday followed with more history and a second qualifying score of 215.
If you haven’t been to an Appleseed, you should really consider finding an event near you. The price is reasonable, the history is vital, and everyone walks away a better marksman.
-EnglishBob
