Shooting Question

[LTCSZ]

Hi: In preparation for my first Appleseed, 8-9 October, I have a question (and I'm sure I will have more!)...To shoot the basic AQT, how many magazines will I need? Will they need to be loaded with different numbers of rounds? Roughly how many rounds will I need for the two days in total? Is there a thread or page here where I can get a detailed breakdown of what actually happens during the course of fire? Do you recommend knee/elbow pads?
Hope I'm not being a pain...Thanks for your help and looking forward to October!

Steve
Garden City, KS

[NEWGUY556]

Welcome to the forum Steve.
Here is a link http://www.appleseedinfo.org/as_prepare.html what to bring.
My personal recomendations are 2 magazines minimum, 4 would be better.
Elbow pads are helpful if you dont have a shooting jacket. Neoprene type pads work better than the plastic cupped ones. Knee pads are not really necessary. A glove of some sort for your support hand will help.
The AQT is broken down into 4-strings of fire. 1) Standing, 2)Sitting or Kneeling, 3)Prone Rapid, 4)prone slow. Each string of fire is 10 rounds. Stage 2 and 3 require magazines loaded with 2 in one and 8 in the other. You will need to perform a mag change for both.
Bring 400 rounds for your prefered rifle.
Hope that helps.

[4bfox]

Hope I'm not being a pain...

Not at all! Like my old Biology teacher told us..."the only dumb question is the unasked question".

Normally, 2 mags is adequate for what we do. Doesn't hurt to have one or two more "spare" mags (I always have 4 mags). For the AQT, we prep mags as follows: Stage 1 (standing), 1 mag - 10 rounds. Stage 2 (transition to seated), 1 mag - 2 rounds, 1 mag 8 rounds. Stage 3 (transition to prone), 1 mag - 2 rounds, 1 mag 8 rounds. Stage 4 (slow-fire prone) 1 mag - 10 rounds.

Elbow/knee pads kind of depend on what kind of pad you use...I use an old sleeping bag, so don't need them. If you use pads, I recommend the soft "volleyball" type...the hard plastic type tend to move around too much when you're shooting. 400-500 rounds is usually good for a weekend.

Go here for more info on what to bring: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/as_prepare.html

PM me your regular email address and I can send you some more info.

Any more questions...ask away!

Ben

[franklinfarmer]

You should try to bring 5 *empty* magazines and 500 boxed rounds.  (You'll only use two mags at any one time, most likely, but it may be convenient to have an extra pair---and an extra one on top of that in case of a malfunctioning mag.)

Please do not bring any magazines containing live ammunition.

The answers to most of your other questions are most easily answered during the safety briefing and instruction period(s).

If you have elbow and knee pads, bring them.  Most people don't use them, but some do.  Bring whatever gear you think you might need.  You can always cast it aside if you find you don't need it, but you can't use it if you leave it at home. 

There is also an Appleseed checklist somewhere....let's see...here it is:

http://appleseedinfo.org/as_prepare.html

I'd put a folding chair high on your list.   

Hope this helps and you have a great first shoot.

FF

[Old Dog]

You didn't say what kind of rifle you have (caliber/action type).  A semi auto will be easier on you during your early introduction to shooting AQTs than a different type of rifle.  A .22 rimfire is great for the 25 meter shooting and the ammo is so much cheaper than a centerfire caliber.

Do you have a good set of sling swivels for a GI type 1&1/4" wide sling on your rifle?  Appleseed stresses the use of a sling and it really does help you build a more steady shooting position (so your groups are smaller and where you want them to be on the target).  Some type of shooting mat is also important to keep you (and your rifle/magazines/ammo) out of the dirt, grass, mud, etc. 

If you like to shoot your rifle an Appleseed is a great way to spend a weekend.  If you want to learn to shoot your rifle better an Appleseed is a great way to spend a weekend.  I still have good memories of the first Appleseed I took my youngest son to almost 5 years ago.  Even folks who consider themselves to be very good rifle shooters often find out they've "forgotten" some of the fundamentals over time and going to an Appleseed reminds them and their shooting skills get a boost from their "relearning" those skills.

[Mark Davis]

If you magazine only holds five rounds you can shoot 5 and 5 on the rapid fire stages.

[davecampperry]

My shooting mat is from "Champion's Choice" and never rolled up, even in near 40 mph wind. Everyone else had 'roll up' and as the wind was from 12 o'clock, sometimes threw brass and debris back on them. Midway and Dillon Precision use the same maker as CC, as may others. You won't need 'stickum' at 25 yards but those who didn't bring thick leather gloves were hurting. dave