I just went to my 3rd Appleseed and finally qualified with a score of 220. I already owned a 10/22 and an AR in .223 and I have shot both at Appleseed events. I never attempted an AQT with a bolt action because I felt I would struggle with the time, particularly the 55 seconds allowed for the sitting position. Inititally my 10/22 was stock, but I ended up making some modifications to it that made the rifle a better rifle for me. The stock on the 10/22 was small for my frame so I changed to a Christie, which is readily adjustable to fit me. In addition, I changed out the trigger group to improve the pull. I also added a bolt latch and a magazine release that are much easier to manipulate than the stock Ruger's. I also scoped it (my eyes are getting older). All of these things improved the accuracy, operability and dependability of the rifle, which in turn allowed me to shoot the courses of fire in the alloted time without stressing out. All of these things contributed to me finally earning my qualification. However, I would not have been able to do it, even then if I had not finally figured out how to establish my NPOA from each position. I can't stress how important this one factor is. A word on other calibers - shooting them can get expensive when you burn up 400 rounds at an event. Throw in a couple hundred more for practice and it starts to add up.
