For the Appleseed training, is a rear sling stud needed/required?
I am planning to use my rifle in the future for long range matches that allow the use of bags. I'm concerned a stud or a hole will get in the way or be against the rules.
A rear stud its not required, but its very useful in standing.
I agree a typical sling stud will interfere with bags. A quick disconnect type swivel could be installed, or some sort of side sling attachment instead.
For Appleseed instruction, we use the "hasty sling" method for standing. This requires attachment points at the front and rear of the rifle. Several ways to do this:
- Front and rear stud/attachment point
- Rear jerry rigged attachment point - we often use tiewrap as an expedient way around this
- Use a loop sling in standing - less optimal than hasty as you have fewer contact points with your body
- Don't use a sling - not recommended
While all the above is true, there's a point that's missing:
Run what ya brung.
Got a semi-auto, magazine-fed rifle? Great, bring it!
Got a bolt-action, single-shot rifle? Great, bring it!
Got a lever-action tube-fed rifle? Great, bring it!
Got a rifle with no sling? Great, bring it!
Got a sling with no rifle? GO GET A RIFLE, then bring it!
No matter the rifle, we'll help you learn how to shoot it better. Guaranteed.
A sling is going to work better if it can be attached at both the front and rear of the rifle. Helps to carry the rifle, *and* helps to stabilize the rifle. Before worrying about modifying your rifle to 'work better' for your first Appleseed experience, bring what you've got. Learn the techniques we teach, and see if they work right for you. Use that experience to determine what modifications, if any, you want to make to your rifle.
Thank you for the advice about needing both. I don't want to be "that guy" who was unprepared or made things more complicated than they should be. I modified an old stock laying on the shelf (my daughter's 10/22 stock). I had to sand out the barrel channel to fit my 920 width barrel. That was a workout which I cut short by chopping off the front 3 inches.
Here's a photo of my manly rifle:
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/843/2anai.jpg)
TM, very nice job!!
"I am planning to use my rifle in the future for long range matches that allow the use of bags. I'm concerned a stud or a hole will get in the way or be against the rules."
Don't worry about the small stuff. My 10-22 has two front studs and one rear stud. "Rules" for long range or bench rest matches are a non-issue.
aj