Appleseed and the Tube-feed
Having attended more than one Appleseed, and having shot rifleman with a tube-fed rifle (considered a hindrance by many in the organization - yet I still managed a 238), I thought it wise to put together a little checklist and some instructions for maximizing the shooter’s enjoyment of the Appleseed program while using their tube-fed rifle.
My experience was with a Marlin 60. While there are other tube-fed rifles out there, the 60 is by far the most common, so I will present the information from that point of view. Naturally, the individual shooter should practice any needed alterations with their own setup so as to maximize the results. Here's a link to a thread detailing some aftermarket parts for Marlins.
For the AQT
A quick note of procedure with tube-fed rifles: the shooter has no external magazine, so when the command is given: “Shooters, your preparation period has ended.” At that point, folks operating tube fed rifles should:
1) ensure the bolt is locked open and the chamber flag is in;
2) put their rounds in the tube magazine, and
3) insert the plunger. When the command is given: “Fire,” the shooter will then remove the chamber flag and put a round in the chamber.
This is a bit different than the steps taken by a person with an external box magazine… and these steps are worth noting.
Also of note on procedure with tube fed’s: During stages 2 and 3 of the AQT, the shooter is to load 11 rounds, fire two, eject a live round (to simulate the mag change), then continue on the Course of Fire. Also, the shooter must leave the chamber flag in until the fire command is given (box-mag rifle shooters may remove the chamber flag at the “load” command).
Most Appleseed shoots have several shooting portions. What needs special consideration are AQT’s and RFAQT’s (rapid-fire AQT's). Also, certain preparations, equipment, and training can go a long way to enable the tube-fed shooter to not only “keep up” with the external magazine shooters, but also bring the Marlin 60’s venerable accuracy to bear – giving the shooter an advantage.
At the last Appleseed I attended, the shoot boss and myself had a very friendly little "competition" with an AQT - he shot his tricked out 10/22 (over $1000 invested in it) and I shot my M60 - iron sights and bulk ammo. We both shot a 238.
The Marlin 60 is an extremely accurate and reliable rifle. Make sure the rifle is cleaned and fully functional. M60’s will operate well, even when dirty – but they operate best when clean: why risk it?
Additionally, “trigger-jobs” are common on these rifles, and one should complete this and test prior to attending an Appleseed to ensure functionality. Here's another trigger job.
Make sure you have a sling – preferably a USGI web sling (this requires 1 ¼ inch swivels).
- Bring at least 500 rounds of ammo of a type that you’ve tested with your M60. Some rimfire rifles can be ammo-sensitive, so test for mechanical operation and accuracy.
CCI mini-mag is a brand that has a very high success rate with Marlins, and though higher-priced than most bulk ammo, it is not as expensive as match-grade, yet provides mach-grade reliability and consistency.
- Tech sights or scopes are far superior to Marlin factory sights.
Appleseed is scope-friendly, and tech sights offer military-style peep sight picture. Make sure to use Locktite or some similar adhesive to keep tech-sights or a scope in place, as Marlins often have loose tolerances on the dovetail, and “walking” is a commonly reported occurrence. For scope placement, DIP makes a very reliable picatinny rail that attaches securely to the Marlin dovetail and provides more optic options while eliminating “walking.” This scope mount will do the same.
- Speed-loaders. One can buy a speed-loader online. Alternately, one can construct speed loaders out of curtain rods or arrows. In a pinch, McDonald’s straws can be rigged to accommodate .22 rounds. I constructed four speed – loaders: two that held 10 rounds, and two more that held 11 rounds.
I constructed them from curtain rods and foam ear plugs:
(electrical tape added for grip)
Two main techniques need to be mastered for success on AQT’s with a Marlin 60: loading the rifle with the speed loader, and ejecting rounds for the second and third segments of the AQT.
- Loading the rifle with a speed loader requires attention to two details:
Rifle position speed loader position.
The rifle should be held upside-down – with the tube and the top of the rifle pointing to the ground:
With the barrel pointing about a 45 degree downward angle, place the speed loader at the end of the tube magazine:
Then lift the devices together to nearly straight up in the air:
The rounds slide right into place. Be mindful of the seal between the tube magazine and the speed loader – don’t allow enough space so that the rounds fall out!
Also, remember to put the plunger in! The rifle won't feed without it.
- Load 11, Fire 2, eject 1, Finish
On the second and third stages of the AQT, the tube-fed rifle must load 11 rounds, fire the first two, eject a live round (to simulate the mag change with box-mag rifles), then continue on with the course of fire. M60’s are blowback-operated – the blowback of the cartridge discharge helps eject the spent brass. So sometimes, operating the charging handle will not eject an unspent round. I suggest the following steps:
1. Pull the charging handle to the rear and hold - with the breech facing down (rifle on its side).
2. If a cartridge falls out, release the bolt, and continue with the course of fire.
3. If no cartridge falls out, reach in with the second (support) hand, and pull free the round that is about to be fed from the tube. Don't mess with the round in the chamber - "fish out" the next round to be fed!
Then release the bolt and continue with the course of fire. It takes a split second to fish out the round being fed, and it accomplishes the same task.
Practice this on your own prior to your Appleseed experience.
Prepare this way, and practice these techniques, and the shooter will be able to benefit from the outstanding accuracy of the Marlin, and at the same time, not feel at all like the rifle is slowing them down or that it is any sort of hindrance. In fact, properly done, the Marlin 60 and similar will have a distinct advantage on the Ruger 10/22 with regards to accuracy, reliability, and (with proper preparation) speed and ease of use.
My experience was with a Marlin 60. While there are other tube-fed rifles out there, the 60 is by far the most common, so I will present the information from that point of view. Naturally, the individual shooter should practice any needed alterations with their own setup so as to maximize the results. Here's a link to a thread detailing some aftermarket parts for Marlins.
For the AQT
A quick note of procedure with tube-fed rifles: the shooter has no external magazine, so when the command is given: “Shooters, your preparation period has ended.” At that point, folks operating tube fed rifles should:
1) ensure the bolt is locked open and the chamber flag is in;
2) put their rounds in the tube magazine, and
3) insert the plunger. When the command is given: “Fire,” the shooter will then remove the chamber flag and put a round in the chamber.
This is a bit different than the steps taken by a person with an external box magazine… and these steps are worth noting.
Also of note on procedure with tube fed’s: During stages 2 and 3 of the AQT, the shooter is to load 11 rounds, fire two, eject a live round (to simulate the mag change), then continue on the Course of Fire. Also, the shooter must leave the chamber flag in until the fire command is given (box-mag rifle shooters may remove the chamber flag at the “load” command).
Most Appleseed shoots have several shooting portions. What needs special consideration are AQT’s and RFAQT’s (rapid-fire AQT's). Also, certain preparations, equipment, and training can go a long way to enable the tube-fed shooter to not only “keep up” with the external magazine shooters, but also bring the Marlin 60’s venerable accuracy to bear – giving the shooter an advantage.
At the last Appleseed I attended, the shoot boss and myself had a very friendly little "competition" with an AQT - he shot his tricked out 10/22 (over $1000 invested in it) and I shot my M60 - iron sights and bulk ammo. We both shot a 238.
Equipment
The Marlin 60 is an extremely accurate and reliable rifle. Make sure the rifle is cleaned and fully functional. M60’s will operate well, even when dirty – but they operate best when clean: why risk it?
Additionally, “trigger-jobs” are common on these rifles, and one should complete this and test prior to attending an Appleseed to ensure functionality. Here's another trigger job.
Make sure you have a sling – preferably a USGI web sling (this requires 1 ¼ inch swivels).
- Bring at least 500 rounds of ammo of a type that you’ve tested with your M60. Some rimfire rifles can be ammo-sensitive, so test for mechanical operation and accuracy.
CCI mini-mag is a brand that has a very high success rate with Marlins, and though higher-priced than most bulk ammo, it is not as expensive as match-grade, yet provides mach-grade reliability and consistency.
- Tech sights or scopes are far superior to Marlin factory sights.
Appleseed is scope-friendly, and tech sights offer military-style peep sight picture. Make sure to use Locktite or some similar adhesive to keep tech-sights or a scope in place, as Marlins often have loose tolerances on the dovetail, and “walking” is a commonly reported occurrence. For scope placement, DIP makes a very reliable picatinny rail that attaches securely to the Marlin dovetail and provides more optic options while eliminating “walking.” This scope mount will do the same.
- Speed-loaders. One can buy a speed-loader online. Alternately, one can construct speed loaders out of curtain rods or arrows. In a pinch, McDonald’s straws can be rigged to accommodate .22 rounds. I constructed four speed – loaders: two that held 10 rounds, and two more that held 11 rounds.
I constructed them from curtain rods and foam ear plugs:
(electrical tape added for grip)
Techniques
Two main techniques need to be mastered for success on AQT’s with a Marlin 60: loading the rifle with the speed loader, and ejecting rounds for the second and third segments of the AQT.
- Loading the rifle with a speed loader requires attention to two details:
Rifle position speed loader position.
The rifle should be held upside-down – with the tube and the top of the rifle pointing to the ground:
With the barrel pointing about a 45 degree downward angle, place the speed loader at the end of the tube magazine:
Then lift the devices together to nearly straight up in the air:
The rounds slide right into place. Be mindful of the seal between the tube magazine and the speed loader – don’t allow enough space so that the rounds fall out!
Also, remember to put the plunger in! The rifle won't feed without it.
- Load 11, Fire 2, eject 1, Finish
On the second and third stages of the AQT, the tube-fed rifle must load 11 rounds, fire the first two, eject a live round (to simulate the mag change with box-mag rifles), then continue on with the course of fire. M60’s are blowback-operated – the blowback of the cartridge discharge helps eject the spent brass. So sometimes, operating the charging handle will not eject an unspent round. I suggest the following steps:
1. Pull the charging handle to the rear and hold - with the breech facing down (rifle on its side).
2. If a cartridge falls out, release the bolt, and continue with the course of fire.
3. If no cartridge falls out, reach in with the second (support) hand, and pull free the round that is about to be fed from the tube. Don't mess with the round in the chamber - "fish out" the next round to be fed!
Then release the bolt and continue with the course of fire. It takes a split second to fish out the round being fed, and it accomplishes the same task.
Practice this on your own prior to your Appleseed experience.
Prepare this way, and practice these techniques, and the shooter will be able to benefit from the outstanding accuracy of the Marlin, and at the same time, not feel at all like the rifle is slowing them down or that it is any sort of hindrance. In fact, properly done, the Marlin 60 and similar will have a distinct advantage on the Ruger 10/22 with regards to accuracy, reliability, and (with proper preparation) speed and ease of use.
If you are scoring 238 without a sling from unsuported prone, you are very good. I fired expert every time while in the Army except in Basic and when recalled for Desert Storm. Sharpshooter on those two instances, and I can say I wish the Army was teaching the use of a loop sling. It's is a great aid in accuracy. I suggest you join the project. You won't change it from the outside.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. They work great! I just did an Appleseed a couple of weeks ago and shot 229 with my Marlin 60. A guy next to me complained that I had an unfair advantage with the old tube. It was funny.
ReplyDeleteAs I made this comment, I read the one from the fella in March of last year. I can say, sir, this not-so-old USMC infantry vet will tell ya that the sling is good on the range, but never used in combat. Never.
Appleseed should really drop the 2+8 on stages 2 & 3. They are not highpower shooting. In fact, they (should I say Fred?) have managed to piss off most of the highpower people.
ReplyDelete