Bolt action patch?

[Nautigoose]

Anyone else think there should be a appleseed bolt action similar to the open sights patch? There is a much higher level of difficulty?

[Charles McKinley]

I don't think it is that much harder.  I've seen it done with a centerfire bolt, Mossberg MVP.  I've done it with a Rimfire American.

[Maximum Ordinate]

We have an open sights patch?   

[Big John]

Anyone else think there should be a appleseed bolt action similar to the open sights patch? There is a much higher level of difficulty?

The Rifleman patch is a symbol of proficiency; it is not excellence. Marksmanship-wise, it is the ability to shoot 4 MOA with a rack grade rifle in the field. It's more of a personal journey for a rifleman to be able to do that with any caliber, any action, any type of rifle than it is to patch every type. History-wise, it is also the knowledge of the significance of the USA, how it got here, and how judicious marksmanship was key. This is also a learning journey.

Appleseed did not have the distinguished and 250 patches; those are recent developments that showcase improved skill. The 250 is and was 250. The distinguished patch, which I believe you are referring to in your question, does recognize different score cutoffs for optics and iron sights, in the 25m, KD, and 200m Rimfire KD courses of fire.

While your point is valid that bolt actions present more of a challenge to the shooter than auto-loading actions (along with lever, pump, break, single-shot, and I suppose falling-block and revolver styles as well), I would think that further stratification of the distinguished category would be overly complicated. Iron sights are iron sights; optics are optics (even red dots), and shooters can see and appreciate the difference much more than differentiating between action types, so I don't think we'll be adding that distinction to the distinguished patch's qualifications for that reason. That's just my personal thoughts; not speaking ex cathedra here.

[kjkestner]

Anyone else think there should be a appleseed bolt action similar to the open sights patch? There is a much higher level of difficulty?

I thought there was one.    And I want to earn it and add it to my collection.  
I shot a 247 with my Tikka T1x during my first Appleseed in 2023 but didn't get that patch but I will.

[Quinncannon]

I'll speak up for a Bolt Action Rifle patch...the cadre from a particular state could reward their own I suppose? I actually designed a patch for Arkansas in late 2021 and had a couple made, but did not have a chance to display it to the Arkansas cadre before I went on the retired list. A blue tab with white letters...Bolt Action Rifle. Thanks.

[DEH]

One way to get all the patches you want without it costing Appleseed is to go to Amazon.

You can go to Amazon and get a patch with your own wording like "bolt action"
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CIEIM3W?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1


You can also get lapel pins and pin them to you Rifleman or Distinguished patches
https://i.etsystatic.com/19794312/r/il/e4424a/6103681760/il_1588xN.6103681760_f2v8.jpg

https://www.militaryremembrancepins.com/cdn/shop/products/LeeEnfieldActual_6b18e419-281f-43af-b683-46fff827a86f_1024x1024.jpg?v=1676305004

[Mrs. Smith]

Good morning, gentlemen! You've been busy, I see. 

Let me preface by saying that we all love our patches. We work hard for them! And we love to show them off. Bragging rights are totally a thing 🙂

Now let's put our feet back on the ground. Would it be fun to have a patch for every possible AQT permutation? Sure! But reality is a harsh mistress, my friends.

Every patch adopted by the program is the result of much discussion and debate, time, and effort, and the understanding that we can't possibly do them all. Every patch adopted is inevitably followed by calls for more and more.

I cannot improve upon Big John's observations. I recommend you go back in this thread and read it again.

DEH's suggestion recognizes that the program does not have unlimited funds for such projects, and I'm grateful to him for that reminder. But it has its own pitfalls. Remember that there are intellectual property rights to consider and respect. We can't just do whatever we want with program IP.

When did saying "I scored this with a bolty," or "Iron Sights, baby!!" become insufficient? We know what we did. I've scored in the high 230s with a tube fed rifle while doing a rapid fire AQT. And on the rare occasions it comes up, I don't particularly care if I'm believed or not. 🤷�♀️ I know what I can do. We've had guys challenge themselves by qualifying "wrong-handed." I knew a guy who'd hang his upside-down and at 45° to challenge himself. The list goes on.

Patches can be fun!

Maybe someday we'll go in that direction, but Appleseed is currently focused on other priorities.

[DEH]

Remember that there are intellectual property rights to consider and respect. We can't just do whatever we want with program IP.

Good point. When designing the SC state patch I had to submit it for approval to make sure that it did not violate any IP rights. 

I have seen a few times over the years a person glue their Rifleman patch to the rifle that they used to shoot their score with.  I suppose you could also buy a Rifleman sticker from the store and do the same with it.

Another way to brag.


As an aside:  The patch I am most proud of is my Battle Road patch.  It indicates a significant accomplishment of personal growth in my life. 

For my first 5-6 years in the program I viewed the program as building a nation of Rilfeman strictly through the teaching of marksmanship.  At some point I realized that the technical skill pales in comparison to the mindset that we are trying to teach through the history and heritage.  The hearts and minds of the American people are much more important than the technical skillset. So I went to Battle Road to learn more about the hearts and minds of the American people during the timeframe of the late 1700s.