I've qualified for my rifleman patch with an AR-15 with red dot, 10-22 with peep, and 10-22 with scope. I have gotten close with a Ruger 77-22 bolt with iron sights, but I drop points on time in a couple of the rounds trying to work the bolt.
I'll never do it again with a center fire. Too much money for what I get out of it. It's a reduced distance designed for .22's and that's the best way to shoot it.
None of it is a "gimme".. I'll go again the next time around with my daughters that are getting really close to qualifying. The Alaskan instructors are excellent and I don't get any negative from them about firearms we use, even though I know they're all in love with Garands.