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First, let me preface with this: "This is not meant to be confrontational"
In my opinion, and many others....the stock or even many aftermarket Ruger 10/22 stocks are not "ideal" for 3 position shooting, of which Appleseed (AS) is (3 position shooting).
Why?
Because they do not allow for a solid cheek weld, with no head movement. I am talking about "immediate" sight alignment with the cheek weld here. On a typical 10/22 sporter stock, one will need to use their grip thumb, or something similar to use as a point of reference for any sort of decent cheek weld with a somewhat immediate sight alignment. I ALWAYS need to adjust/fuss with it some.
Conversely, a stock that has a cheek riser incorporated at the correct height for the cheek weld, will typically result in a SOLID and repeatable cheek weld with the sights already aligned (assuming all else with the position is correct).
One look at the Olympic 3 position rifles, or biathalon rifles ought to solidify the point I am attempting to make here.
I am ABSOLUTELY NOT stating that a standard sporter stock is inadequate for AS shooting, and one could absolutely score a perfect 250 with a standard sporter stock. One could also likely earn a perfect score (doubtful...but likely could) on the CMP Rimfire Sporter targets as well with a sporter stock. But is it ideal?
No...a resounding no.
AS targets are very generous in size....when compared to other disciplines, and I have stated this before....one can absolutely earn Rifleman and do even better than 210 "muscling the rifle"....I have done it, and know others that have as well.
But "muscling" the rifle is bad....it means that your NPA is off and you are not relaxed into the position right?
Then how can one score so well on the AS AQT when muscling?
Here is why....RECOIL on the .22 rimfire is almost insignificant. You will not be tossed out of position as much with a rimfire as you will with a centerfire.
A reference to the AR15 here...one of the older "as issued" rifles with an A1 or A2 stock, and iron sights. That stock is just about perfect for shooting 3 position with irons, because its cheek riser (non existent) is straight and at an almost perfect height when using a nose to charging handle cheek weld, which puts the shooters eyeball about ~1 inch from the rear peep.
Same with the M1 Garand.....the shooters thumb wraps the heel of the receiver and the rear sight is almost perfect height for instant sight alignment.
Many AS instructors build up the stock on the standard 10/22 with a pool noodle or similar stuff. That works as well.
Add a scope to the 10/22 with a sporter stock and things go south even further. One almost needs the pool noodle solution when using a scope because the center of the crosshairs are significantly higher than the center of a tech sight rear peep.
Again, not being confrontational, "run what you brung".
But, if at some point you want to build that perfect position and are currently using a sporter stock....you may wish to build up the cheek riser, or....invest in a different stock more suited to 3 position shooting. Or.....if you simply want to improve your scores, and have possibly plateau'd with your current sporter stock, a different stock (or one built up) will likely lead to a better score.
For the final comment from me on this, unless there are any questions.....In NRA High Power, when we swapped to scopes on our AR15's the ideal height from the base of the picattiny rail to the center of the scope was found to be at exactly 1.300". That is why one of the best scope mounts sold for us, the Giessele National Match scope mount....is set to place the center of the optic at exactly 1.300". That height places the shooters eyeball at center with the center of the optic using a nose to charging handle cheek weld. That is someting to consider as well. This just simply makes sense......and is what the best shooters in the nation have found to work.
R/
Chris
In my opinion, and many others....the stock or even many aftermarket Ruger 10/22 stocks are not "ideal" for 3 position shooting, of which Appleseed (AS) is (3 position shooting).
Why?
Because they do not allow for a solid cheek weld, with no head movement. I am talking about "immediate" sight alignment with the cheek weld here. On a typical 10/22 sporter stock, one will need to use their grip thumb, or something similar to use as a point of reference for any sort of decent cheek weld with a somewhat immediate sight alignment. I ALWAYS need to adjust/fuss with it some.
Conversely, a stock that has a cheek riser incorporated at the correct height for the cheek weld, will typically result in a SOLID and repeatable cheek weld with the sights already aligned (assuming all else with the position is correct).
One look at the Olympic 3 position rifles, or biathalon rifles ought to solidify the point I am attempting to make here.
I am ABSOLUTELY NOT stating that a standard sporter stock is inadequate for AS shooting, and one could absolutely score a perfect 250 with a standard sporter stock. One could also likely earn a perfect score (doubtful...but likely could) on the CMP Rimfire Sporter targets as well with a sporter stock. But is it ideal?
No...a resounding no.
AS targets are very generous in size....when compared to other disciplines, and I have stated this before....one can absolutely earn Rifleman and do even better than 210 "muscling the rifle"....I have done it, and know others that have as well.
But "muscling" the rifle is bad....it means that your NPA is off and you are not relaxed into the position right?
Then how can one score so well on the AS AQT when muscling?
Here is why....RECOIL on the .22 rimfire is almost insignificant. You will not be tossed out of position as much with a rimfire as you will with a centerfire.
A reference to the AR15 here...one of the older "as issued" rifles with an A1 or A2 stock, and iron sights. That stock is just about perfect for shooting 3 position with irons, because its cheek riser (non existent) is straight and at an almost perfect height when using a nose to charging handle cheek weld, which puts the shooters eyeball about ~1 inch from the rear peep.
Same with the M1 Garand.....the shooters thumb wraps the heel of the receiver and the rear sight is almost perfect height for instant sight alignment.
Many AS instructors build up the stock on the standard 10/22 with a pool noodle or similar stuff. That works as well.
Add a scope to the 10/22 with a sporter stock and things go south even further. One almost needs the pool noodle solution when using a scope because the center of the crosshairs are significantly higher than the center of a tech sight rear peep.
Again, not being confrontational, "run what you brung".
But, if at some point you want to build that perfect position and are currently using a sporter stock....you may wish to build up the cheek riser, or....invest in a different stock more suited to 3 position shooting. Or.....if you simply want to improve your scores, and have possibly plateau'd with your current sporter stock, a different stock (or one built up) will likely lead to a better score.
For the final comment from me on this, unless there are any questions.....In NRA High Power, when we swapped to scopes on our AR15's the ideal height from the base of the picattiny rail to the center of the scope was found to be at exactly 1.300". That is why one of the best scope mounts sold for us, the Giessele National Match scope mount....is set to place the center of the optic at exactly 1.300". That height places the shooters eyeball at center with the center of the optic using a nose to charging handle cheek weld. That is someting to consider as well. This just simply makes sense......and is what the best shooters in the nation have found to work.
R/
Chris
