Appleseed Project
Encyclopedia
Project Appleseed is a rifle
marksmanship and historical awareness program developed by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. The program focuses on teaching marksmanship from standing, sitting, and prone positions. In addition, each Appleseed teaches an oral history of the events leading up to the start of the American Revolution
, specifically the Battles of Lexington and Concord
, and the subsequent British
retreat to Boston
. These stories include an overview of the events of the day but focus on the stories of individuals such as Paul Revere
, Captains John Parker
(Lexington) or Isaac Davis (Acton), Hezekiah Wyman and Samuel Whittemore
.
. In 2006, Appleseed instructors began a national tour to attempt to attract new instructors who could maintain and develop local programs. In 2008, Appleseed had nearly 4000 attendees. In 2009 there were more than 450 scheduled Appleseed events which taught 10,000 shooters. In addition, a select cadre of Appleseed instructors from across the nation gathered at Fort Stewart
, GA and taught a deploying Army unit in marksmanship skills.
Over 800 Appleseed events are projected for 2010. Among them are several events dedicated solely to teaching women. These events are likewise staffed entirely by women who are fully qualified as Appleseed instructors. In addition, another select cadre Appleseed instructors also gathered at White Sands Missile Range
, NM to teach a second deploying Regular Army unit as Designated Squad Marksmen. Appleseed is the fastest growing shooting event in North America
.
$70 For two full days of instruction*
$45 - Single day*
FREE - Active Military, Reserve, National Guard, and Peace Officers
Women [for 2011] pay $10 - a substantial discount over the normal $70 pre-reg fee and youth under 20 pay $5
s. The 400-yard simulated target is approximately 6.25 square centimeters (about one square inch) at 25 meters. This translates into a 4 minutes of angle
(MOA) wide target which is the rifleman standard in the Appleseed program.
Shooters who score 210 or better on the AQT earn the Rifleman
designation and be issued a patch which also enables them to come back and enter the Instructor In Training (IIT) program to teach others.
techniques to teach its participants the skills of becoming a rifleman: a "marksman capable of hitting a man-sized target from 500 yards away."
Two elements are fundamental to Appleseed rifle clinics: the Six Steps to Firing a Shot and natural point of aim
(NPOA). The Six Steps to Firing a shot as taught by the Appleseed Project are:
Natural point of aim
is a firing technique that does not rely on the shooter's muscles to aim the rifle. Using a sling, a relaxed body, and the NPOA technique, the rifleman can consistently shoot 4 MOA
groups at 500 yards.
cartridge
, since the ammunition is inexpensive and recoil
is negligible - factors that bear consideration in the face of two days of very intense shooting practice. A magazine-fed, semi-automatic rifle
with quality iron peep sights and a military loop sling
is recommended. Examples are Ruger 10/22
and Marlin 795. Some participants may prefer to use a telescopic sight
if their eyes are not able to work well with iron sights
.
Clinics require approximately 900+ rounds of ammunition
for the two-day course. Participants work in standing, sitting, and prone (flat on the ground) positions. Extensive use of the loop sling is made for accuracy.
Participants are also advised to bring a mat for prone shooting, a hat, sunscreen, water, food, appropriate clothing, a small folding chair, safety glasses, (double) ear protection, and spare magazines.
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
marksmanship and historical awareness program developed by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. The program focuses on teaching marksmanship from standing, sitting, and prone positions. In addition, each Appleseed teaches an oral history of the events leading up to the start of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, specifically the Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy , and Cambridge, near Boston...
, and the subsequent British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
retreat to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. These stories include an overview of the events of the day but focus on the stories of individuals such as Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
, Captains John Parker
John Parker (Captain)
John Parker was an American farmer, mechanic, and soldier, who commanded the Lexington militia at the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. Parker was born in Lexington to Josiah Parker and Anne Stone...
(Lexington) or Isaac Davis (Acton), Hezekiah Wyman and Samuel Whittemore
Samuel Whittemore
Samuel Whittemore was an American farmer and soldier. He was eighty years of age when he became the oldest known colonial combatant in the American Revolutionary War.-Biography:...
.
History
Project Appleseed began in April 2006 in Ramseur, North CarolinaRamseur, North Carolina
Ramseur is a town in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,589 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ramseur is located at ....
. In 2006, Appleseed instructors began a national tour to attempt to attract new instructors who could maintain and develop local programs. In 2008, Appleseed had nearly 4000 attendees. In 2009 there were more than 450 scheduled Appleseed events which taught 10,000 shooters. In addition, a select cadre of Appleseed instructors from across the nation gathered at Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post primarily in Liberty County and Bryan County, but also extending into smaller portions of Evans, Long, and Tattnall Counties in Georgia, USA. The population was 11,205 at the 2000 census...
, GA and taught a deploying Army unit in marksmanship skills.
Over 800 Appleseed events are projected for 2010. Among them are several events dedicated solely to teaching women. These events are likewise staffed entirely by women who are fully qualified as Appleseed instructors. In addition, another select cadre Appleseed instructors also gathered at White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range is a rocket range of almost in parts of five counties in southern New Mexico. The largest military installation in the United States, WSMR includes the and the WSMR Otera Mesa bombing range...
, NM to teach a second deploying Regular Army unit as Designated Squad Marksmen. Appleseed is the fastest growing shooting event in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Program Eligibility
Anyone may attend an Appleseed Rifle Clinic. The program welcomes shooters of all ages shooting a wide variety of rifles.$70 For two full days of instruction*
$45 - Single day*
FREE - Active Military, Reserve, National Guard, and Peace Officers
Women [for 2011] pay $10 - a substantial discount over the normal $70 pre-reg fee and youth under 20 pay $5
- For pre-registered shooters. Although we encourage pre-registration for events, walk-ons are welcome if space is available on the firing line. Walk-on price is $80/weekend, $50/single day.
Rifleman Qualification
The marksmanship goal of the Appleseed Project is to train shooters to achieve a score of 210 or higher on an adapted Army Qualification Test (AQT), out of a possible 250 points. This score will place shooters in the top 5% in the country in terms of accuracy. The AQT uses timed stages to test shooting skill from standing, sitting and prone positions. The test simulates ranges of 100, 200, 300, and 400 yardYard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
s. The 400-yard simulated target is approximately 6.25 square centimeters (about one square inch) at 25 meters. This translates into a 4 minutes of angle
Minute of Angle
Minute of angle is the measurement of a ballistic round's deviation from its initial heading due to gravity and/or the effect of air resistance on velocity. Informally known as a "Bullet's Trajectory" or "the rainbow effect". Long range weapons must account for this effect because a fired round...
(MOA) wide target which is the rifleman standard in the Appleseed program.
Shooters who score 210 or better on the AQT earn the Rifleman
Rifleman
Although ultimately originating with the 16th century handgunners and the 17th century musketeers and streltsy, the term rifleman originated from the 18th century. It would later become the term for the archetypal common soldier.-History:...
designation and be issued a patch which also enables them to come back and enter the Instructor In Training (IIT) program to teach others.
Rifle Clinics
Rifle marksmanship clinics are known as "Appleseeds." These clinics are run over a period of two days and take shooters from the basics of firing a shot to more complex courses of fire from several shooting positions. Project Appleseed uses United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
techniques to teach its participants the skills of becoming a rifleman: a "marksman capable of hitting a man-sized target from 500 yards away."
Two elements are fundamental to Appleseed rifle clinics: the Six Steps to Firing a Shot and natural point of aim
Natural point of aim
Natural point of aim is a shooting skill where the shooter minimizes the effects of body movement on the firearm's impact point. Along with proper stance, sight picture and trigger control, it forms the basis of marksmanship....
(NPOA). The Six Steps to Firing a shot as taught by the Appleseed Project are:
- Sight alignment: Alignment of the front and rear sights.
- Sight picture: Bringing the aligned sights onto the target.
- Respiratory pause: A person's natural breathing raises and lowers the rifle. When one achieves a perfect sight picture while exhaling, one must hold her/his breath to remain on target.
- Focus
- Focus the eyes on the front sight
- Focus the mind on keeping the front sight on the target
- Squeeze the trigger: Steadily squeeze the trigger. Do not jerk the trigger, but squeeze.
- Follow through: There are two important facets to following through. First, one must take a mental snapshot of where the sights were when the shot was fired so that the shooter can have instant feedback and can call the shot to know where it impacted the target. Second, one must hold the trigger back for a moment and then release it slowly to prepare for the next shot.
Natural point of aim
Natural point of aim
Natural point of aim is a shooting skill where the shooter minimizes the effects of body movement on the firearm's impact point. Along with proper stance, sight picture and trigger control, it forms the basis of marksmanship....
is a firing technique that does not rely on the shooter's muscles to aim the rifle. Using a sling, a relaxed body, and the NPOA technique, the rifleman can consistently shoot 4 MOA
Minute of Angle
Minute of angle is the measurement of a ballistic round's deviation from its initial heading due to gravity and/or the effect of air resistance on velocity. Informally known as a "Bullet's Trajectory" or "the rainbow effect". Long range weapons must account for this effect because a fired round...
groups at 500 yards.
Supplies
Instructors will teach anyone who shows up with whatever rifle they bring. Appleseed Clinics are for anyone with a rifle who wants to learn to shoot it well. It is suggested that attendees start with firearms chambered for the .22 Long Rifle.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
cartridge
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
, since the ammunition is inexpensive and recoil
Recoil
Recoil is the backward momentum of a gun when it is discharged. In technical terms, the recoil caused by the gun exactly balances the forward momentum of the projectile and exhaust gasses, according to Newton's third law...
is negligible - factors that bear consideration in the face of two days of very intense shooting practice. A magazine-fed, semi-automatic rifle
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
with quality iron peep sights and a military loop sling
Sling (firearms)
In the context of firearms, a sling is a type of strap or harness designed to allow a shooter to carry a firearm on his/her person and/or aid in greater hit probability with that firearm...
is recommended. Examples are Ruger 10/22
Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rimfire rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It has a removable 10-round rotary magazine which allows the magazine to fit flush with the bottom of the stock. Higher capacity magazines are also available...
and Marlin 795. Some participants may prefer to use a telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
if their eyes are not able to work well with iron sights
Iron sights
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
.
Clinics require approximately 900+ rounds of ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
for the two-day course. Participants work in standing, sitting, and prone (flat on the ground) positions. Extensive use of the loop sling is made for accuracy.
Participants are also advised to bring a mat for prone shooting, a hat, sunscreen, water, food, appropriate clothing, a small folding chair, safety glasses, (double) ear protection, and spare magazines.