Ruger Forum

armed pacifist · August 5th, 2011, 01:27 PM

No, the subject title (although redundant) is not a misprint

. I will be attending my first Project Appleseed event later this month. I am taking my nephew with me. I had originally thought about taking my AR15 and letting him use my 10/22 (rifle version with 22" stainless barrel). I mentioned the event to my parents, and they said it may be time for my nephew to have his own .22, and offered to buy him one! Aren't grandparents wonderful?! They told me to pick one out. I heard somewhere that Appleseed was designed around semi-autos with detachable 10 round mags. I figured the 10/22 was a good choice. I did some shopping around and found the best price locally was $190 from Academy. Then I realized that for the price of 500+ rounds of .223 I could buy a 10/22 carbine for myself. I had been wanting to modify my 10/22 but ended up liking it so much I didn't want to change it, and started wanting 10/22 #2. So, I went to Academy and picked up two identical 10/22 carbines. My older 10/22 will be taken as a backup, which is perfect because it uses the same ammo and magazines and the controls setup will be familiar if one of us has to switch to the backup. It's sling swivels are too small to use with a USGI sling, but I have an SKS sling for it that can be used as a hasty if need be.

Then I started reading more about LTRs (Liberty Training Rifles). For those who don't know, these are standard .22 rifles (usually 10/22s) outfitted with a USGI sling, better iron sights (M1-style), extended mag release, and auto bolt release. I really started liking the looks of the LTR, and decided to buy the stuff to make one. I also ordered doubles of some of the stuff (minus the Tech Sights) to better equip my nephew's rifle. Since it's not mine, I am going to wait until he sees it and then ask him if he wants me change it, or leave it like it is.

The first pic is of the two twin 10/22's. Mine is wearing the "LTR" accessories.

The second pic shows a comparison of the different irons sights and shows the difference in sight radius.

The third pic shows them along side my older 10/22 that will be used as a backup. I will take the scope off if I end up using it for Appleseed.

jake888 · August 5th, 2011, 01:30 PM

nice rifles!really neat looking

thuffy1 · August 5th, 2011, 11:17 PM

Yes, cool... very cool!

funkymonkey1111 · August 6th, 2011, 07:36 AM

report back on your Appleseed experience--especially how you ended up liking the M1 sights. Good looking rifles, and glad you're getting your nephew involved.

Master Chief · August 6th, 2011, 10:20 AM

I am an instructor with Appleseed.
Great looking rifles.
Some advice, practice the prone, sitting and standing positions before you attend the event. It will train your muscles and you will be way ahead if you do this.
Any questions let us know.
Also are your rifles sighted in ? Find a .22lr that will feed w/o fail and that will shoot 1" or less at 25 yards. Stay away from ALL Remington .22lr ammo. I am not a Remington hater by any stretch of the imagination but there rimfire ammo is just sorry. I would stay with CCI/Federal if your rifle will shoot/cycle it.
Best of Luck..

armed pacifist · August 6th, 2011, 10:42 AM

Thanks guys!

I have fed about a thousand rounds of Federal 525rd bulk ammo through the stainless 10/22 (the one on the bottom of last pic) and never had a single problem. I also bought some CCI Mini Mags (round point), Blazer Brass, Aguila Match Rifle, and Federal Auto Match. I am going to range next week to test at least 50 of each through my new LTR to test function and grouping with each. I'll shoot them from sandbags so that I'm testing the ammo and not my skills.

I'm also going to practice the positions and sling use (to the best of my ability having no instruction but YouTube videos). Also, I downloaded PDFs of the AQT target profiles too. I'm going to do a sort of practice AQT. I probably won't time myself because that's too much to think about. Hopefully I can get my nephew out there with me to practice. Maybe we can time each other just to see how long it takes us to complete each section, to see if we need to speed things up by Sunday of the event.

I anticipate that this won't be my (or my nephew's) only Appleseed. I want that patch! I want it for personal satisfaction and I won't be satisfied with my performance until I score at least a 210! I have been considering membership in the RWVA and the getting the ROC so I can return to Appleseed for free until I get rifleman. I've heard I can sign up and get my ROC at the event.

Thanks for the interest! Updates will come!

Q5Grafx · August 17th, 2011, 01:55 PM

I agree on the remington ammo. I had an episode where the round didnt chamber 100% due to an out of round casing and it blew the ejector claw right out of the gun. now i keep 6 spare ejector claws 4 spare ejector claw springs and a spare bolt.

I will never again let a $10 part end my shooting session.

9mmManiac · August 17th, 2011, 02:01 PM

Very nice rifles! If you don't mind me asking, how much did it take you to make the LTR upgrade? I really like the new sights on there.

armed pacifist · August 17th, 2011, 04:53 PM

I don't mind at all. I think all of the upgrades were well worth the money.

Tech Sights TS100 - $60 (I also ordered the TS220 and long front site post [+$25]. This allows me to change them back and forth from the TS100 to the TS200, which I have already done.)
USGI sling - $15
Uncle Mikes quick-detach sling mounts - $12
Power Custom aluminum extended mag release - $26
Volquartsen auto bolt release - $11

Total was $149 not including shipping. This includes the extra Tech Sight parts.

I have since replaced the Power Custom mag release pictured in the OP with the ProMag polymer extended mag release - $6. You can see it in my avatar. I did this because it is difficult with the "under trigger" style of release pictured in the OP to release and catch the mag (keep it from falling on the ground) with one hand. I like the Power Custom, but didn't think it was the best choice for Appleseed.

With the ProMag release, the new total is $129 + shipping, and includes extra Tech Sights parts.

I ordered other stuff when I ordered the parts (from TechSights.com and Midway.com collectively) so it's difficult for me to tell you what the shipping was. My guess would be around $15 total for the shipping if you ordered just these parts. Tech Sights provides a shipping price chart on their website, and Midway's shipping was reasonable (and very fast!).

doublenut9 · August 17th, 2011, 05:59 PM

Hi All! I am attending an Appleseed event this weekend in Texas. I bought my 10/22 at Academy also. While I was there I bought my son one also. I paid $189.00 plus tax. You can't beat the price. On his rifle I put the Tech-sights (TS 200) Uncle Mikes swivels and a nylon 1 1/4" sling. On mine I left the stock sights and added the sling. The stock sights are harder to use, but I want him to learn to shoot with both. He wanted to practice first, before going to Appleseed so he will go in September.
I am looking forward to the event. I think it will be lots of fun and some good shooting. The only problem I see it the temperature everyday is suppose to be 105-107 with heat indexes higher...but I am still going!

armed pacifist · August 17th, 2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublenut9

Hi All! I am attending an Appleseed event this weekend in Texas. I bought my 10/22 at Academy also. While I was there I bought my son one also. I paid $189.00 plus tax. You can't beat the price. On his rifle I put the Tech-sights (TS 200) Uncle Mikes swivels and a nylon 1 1/4" sling. On mine I left the stock sights and added the sling. The stock sights are harder to use, but I want him to learn to shoot with both. He wanted to practice first, before going to Appleseed so he will go in September.
I am looking forward to the event. I think it will be lots of fun and some good shooting. The only problem I see it the temperature everyday is suppose to be 105-107 with heat indexes higher...but I am still going!

Amazing how similar our stories are! You will beat me there by one week. I would love to hear any advice you can give me.

doublenut9 · August 17th, 2011, 06:43 PM

I will be happy to pass along everything I learn...LOL...I hope I learn something to pass on!

tony stark · August 18th, 2011, 08:43 PM

i've seen an accuracy improvement by removing the barrel band. when you are sighting in try it with and without the barrel band. just bet you will see an improvement

Ulfric · August 18th, 2011, 10:38 PM

Looking forward to some AA reports, gents. I have been thinking about attending an event, and would love some first hand responses.

The rifles look good!