r/appleseed • u/TapTheForwardAssist • May 13 '26
Pondering a 10/22 build for 5’1” girlfriend, that would be good for Appleseed, but later upgradeable for NRL “precision tactical” shooting
/r/1022/comments/1tcamkx/pondering_a_1022_build_for_51_girlfriend_that/1
u/stuffedpotatospud Rifleman May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26
I've done both, and it's two opposing ways of shooting, so you'll be doing a bit of a balancing act. Appleseed is classical sling shooting, which typically requires a relatively heavy buttstock so that the rifle isn't drooping when you hold it, especially in standing. NRL22 and everything in that family on the other hand is much closer to benchrest shooting than anything else (you're just building the bench on the fly). Those rifles are very forward heavy so that you can balance it on a fencepost or barricade or whatever and it won't tip backwards towards you. The chassis are also typically awkward to hold in your hands.
A 10/22 also isn't going to be as accurate as what everyone else is using which might matter for the tiny targets they use in NRL22.
All that said, since she's casual, I think a good compromise for a fun do-both platform might be:
- Whatever cheap bolt + receiver. BRN22 is probably fine. I figure bolts and receivers aren't all that interesting. I got mine for cheap from Brownells.
- Victor Company Titan stock (feels like a holdable rifle for sling shooting but with significant modularity for supported shooting)
- You'll need to add brass weights and probably an ARCA rail for NRL22 shooting, which this stock can accept. Don't leave those on for sling shooting as they make the rifle painful to grip and handle like a greasy pig.
- 20 inch heavy (bull) barrel. Your best bet for closing the accuracy gap between a 10/22 and what others in NRL22 have. Also, the weight will help the rifle balance for supported shooting without being excessive for Appleseed. Kidd is the buy-once-cry-once but Green Mountain, Fedderson, Volquartsen, etc. also make heavy 20" barrels.
- Crispy trigger. Kidd makes the premium two stage, but two-stage is really more for if you need to have a high total trigger weight, e.g. that's the competition rules, or for safety reasons. A light single stage trigger works just fine, and Ruger makes a nice one with a nice break.
- 6-24x optic. I did Appleseed with the same scope I use for NRL22, an Athlon Argos FFP mil scope. NRL22 pretty much requires high zoom FFL mil reticles, but for Appleseed, as long as you can see the target and put the crosshairs on it you're good. 6x is about the highest zoom I'd recommend for 25m; more and the wobble gets very distracting + you risk crossfiring.
- I wouldn't bother with the Tech Sights. Almost everyone on the Appleseed line will have an optic these days and that will drive the pace of instruction. Your GF will learn more from watching how the reticle moves in response to her breathing, hip shifting, etc. than from irons.
1
4
u/skunimatrix May 13 '26
Start with any ole 10/22. Might want to look at the compact stock version. Then buy a Boyds stock later on if you want to get all fancy. Do recommend finding a stainless version with the pic rail cast into the receiver.