Appleseed Suggestions - Shooting the AQT

Play The AQT Game:

The easiest way to get a Rifleman patch is by playing the game. Make no mistake, the AQT is a game - it is a course of fire with rules. Playing the game right will get you a patch. Some people are competitive, and want to "win." Be fore-warned, you can get a lot out of the program without getting the patch. Nonetheless, a "Rifleman" patch cannot be bought - it must be earned.

MOST Rifleman scores I've seen and read about were with heavily modified rifles like I describe below...
A small proportion of the folks who make "Rifleman" do so with iron sights. A very few have shot the score with bolt-actions. Some with factory rifles. And even some with bulk ammo. I've only heard of one person to make the cut without a sling (me!).By far, most people use better equipment and "play the game."

Skill
You should be able to consistently hit a 1 inch square target at 25 meters from prone position (no rests). If you can do double that - 2 inch targets - you are good to go in the sitting stage. If you can do double that - 4 inch targets - standing, you are again good to go.

Rifle
A Ruger 10/22 will work best. I think a Marlin is a superior rifle out of the box, but the best way to play the AQT game is to hedge your bets. The Ruger can be outfitted with a hair-trigger, scopes galore, and target grade barrels. Add in the quick mag-release, and custom stock options, the Ruger 10/22 can be customized into a great game-gun for the AQT.

Modifications
A stock 10/22 can shoot a rifleman score - but it's really hard. Do the following mods for better success:
- Target grade heavy barrel.
- Volquartsen (or similar) hammer for a light trigger pull.
- Volquartsen extractor for reliability.
- Extended magazine release.
- Volquartsen (or similar) automatic bolt release.
- Large, variable power scope.
- A stock to your preferences. Pistol / thumb-hole grips are suggested.

Sling
Most people will not be able to shoot accurately enough without a sling. Get a USGI web sling. Learn how tight you need it.

Ammo
Most people will not be able to shoot accurately without match grade ammo. Again, we want to take as many variables away so the shooter can have the best chance. When using a 10/22 that's been outfitted to your preferences, shoot good ammo through the gun. CCI or match-grade stuff.

Magazines
Have at least 6 magazines. They should all be 10-round magazines. Two of these mags should be factory clear, or otherwise marked clearly with tape or paint, to help identify on the 2nd and 3rd stages which mags have 2 rounds, and which have 8.

Technique
One technique, suggested by a "Red-Hat" instructor, for use on the rapid-fire stages (stages two and three) is described below:
Fire one shot, then change mags (the second round should be in the chamber at this point. Then you can fire nine more shots without a mag change. This has the added benefit of being less likely to cause the shooter to lose count of where he/she is on the AQT.
A word of caution: though there is nothing in the official Appleseed rules that prohibits this action, some shoot bosses not only frown on the  practice, but also prohibit it.
Be sure to ask your shoot boss if he permits this strategy. Last thing you want is to shoot the score, and then have it DQ'd by a power-tripping shoot boss.

Another set of techniques is position modification - like High Power shooters use. Sometimes, their positions are different than Appleseed. Since the Appleseed's AQT was derived directly from High Power rules, it is only smart to use commonly found techniques. Such as reversing the support hand in standing.