Project Appleseed

Thank you for running a great event Carol! What a cool way to apply what we learned at 25m events. I don't know when I'll be able to come out to another RKD but I've got the itch. That Distinguished score is sooooo close. And I'm sure I can hit the shingle if I don't accidentally set my elevation dial 1 full rotation lower than 0 next time I try!

This was the first time I used this rifle in this configuration, and I was pretty happy with the results, but I also noticed there were some things I could change to make it a little easier on myself. Maybe a new stock, a scope with better glass and zero stops, testing to find some more consistent ammo... Gotta resist the gear treadmill though!

Good luck at Ramseur tomorrow to all attending! I wish I could come out but I'm finally getting my CC license taken care of this weekend.

Sounds like a great shoot. Can't wait to get back up there.

Thank you for adding that bit, Stuart!

Nothing fancy needed, just good solid fundamentals, perfect practice, and not letting the stress get to you.

Thank you for another great clinic, @UpACreek, @KarlHofen, and @TheIronMantis!

I am here to witness that @DEH shot a 50 (and 2 x 49s) using Federal Automatch ammo. Amazing!! 

Another great fall weekend greeted us at the gorgeous Palmetto Gun Club in Ridgeville, SC.  I got to the range Friday afternoon to stake out our target lines with KarlHofen - volunteer extraordinaire who dabbles as the club president (lol - he's been the president for a while).   The club has set up baffles at the KD firing line since last year.  It sure helped keep the sun out of our eyes.  Karl arranged a couple of carts for us to use throughout the day.  This club goes out of their way to make groups like ours run our events smoothly and efficiently.  Having actual bathrooms can make a girl feel spoiled. 

Saturday morning greeted 10 shooters ready to go!  We had 4 new and 6 experienced RKD shooters - all very good shots.  My favorite thing about this group is seeing 2 pair of fathers and sons and a lot of friends.  This is such a nice way to spend a day.  After a brief welcome, I reviewed a bit of IMC and Trajectory, Karl reviewed our safety rules and we were off to the races.  6 out of 12 shooters (both line bosses took a turn) hit a larger than life Morgan's Shingle.  The challenge wasn't quite the same as a 3 1/2" x 5" shingle, but I'd say it was great shooting for first thing in the morning.  Afterwards, we dove right into getting sighters for each stage of the AQT and then shooting the stage.  TheIronMantis explained how to adjust for wind, but thankfully it wasn't much needed, sort of - half the fun of an RKD is learning how to adjust for wind.  The newcomers were awesome.  All 10 shooters' groups were sub 6 MOA until 150 yards.  By 150 a couple of the rifles ran into mechanical issues.  What a shame, because the groups were awesome.  We took a break at lunch to hear a bit of history.  I gave an abbreviated summary of the Battle of Alamance.  TheIronMantis told a great rendition of the battle at Kings Mountain, complete with bringing a black powder rifle. 

We also took a couple of minutes to thank DEH for the excellent job he's done as the South Carolina State Coordinator as he steps back from the role.  It's not the first time he's done the job, and hopefully we'll see him back after a well deserved rest.  He's been the state coordinator for the last 3 years.  In that time, the state was recognized for their growth, each volunteer received a rocker in 2024.  He and Karl worked together to get shoots way down here in Ridgeville, away from most of the volunteers.  We now have 5 volunteers in Ridgeville, and hopefully will have more in time.  Duane's done a great job at answering emails, communicating with all the clubs, all the volunteers, and regularly getting them together for shoots or friendship.  He helps out with the nearby states when he can and has a great amount of wisdom about Appleseed, ranges, and shooting.  I'm thankful that he'll still be around as a volunteer and wish him well as he spends more time with all the rest he has going on in his life.

After lunch KarlHofen took over for TheIronMantis as line boss.  We finished up the sighters and completed our first AQT.  Duane "only" got a 49 - he was the first of many to achieve a rifleman score.  Nice job!  By our second AQT his son, Darien, wasn't too far behind him with a 46! Duane repeated his 49; Simeon hit 43; and James got a decent score of 41!  That's 2 new KD Riflemen and 2 requalified as rifleman.  We were able to get a third AQT in before running out of energy.  ALL 4 got new riflemen scores.  Darien's dipped a little, but Simeon scored his best at 45!  James finished with a 43!  Duane proved the third time was the charm with a 50 - a perfect score and a perfect way to end the day!!! 

The other shooters all had great groups, they just weren't in the black.  I'm sure next time around they'll get it.  It can be a little frustrating to go down to the 200 yard target line and see a beautiful group in a 6 inch circle (that's 3 MOA) that's just outside the target, but we all know that a rifleman persists.  Keep up the dry fire and perfect practice and we'll see you back at another event soon.

A huge thank you to TheIronMantis and KarlHofen for all they did on Saturday.  Travis, Duane, Bill, and James - you all helped out too and it is very much appreciated.




Ball & Dummy isn't just for 25m events.  They helped each other knock off any cobwebs.  It clearly worked because they were so good.


Stage 1 of the AQT - the baffles were nice for this.  The sun was up and down range.


We're shooting sighters for stage 2 and some are done, so they're practicing stage 2.




Sitting position is everyone's favorite.




Prone shooting and whatever DEH is doing.  He has a unique way of doing things.  If it works, don't knock it. No, he didn't shoot this way or have a magazine in the rifle, although I suggested finding a mirror and trying it.


TheIronMantis shares the history of Kings Mountain with us.


Karl literally blending the 2 hats he wears when volunteering at his home range.


The first of 3 distinguished scores - I was checking to see if he was smiling.


James holds up his first rifleman KD score - Nice shooting! He finished the day with a 41 & 43!


Simeon should be proud of his scores - 43 and 45!


Darien hasn't been to an Appleseed event in a while.  It sure looks like he kept up the perfect practice.  Here he is with his high score of 46!


Like father, like son.  Dual rifleman scores on their second AQTs.

What A great weekend at the range! We had perfect weather and a great group of shooters. AGAG ladies rocked it!

Quote from: CompressingFire on November 11, 2026, 11:23:43 PMI never really understood the phrase "we are paid in riflemen" until now, but after working my first Appleseed as an IIT, it's clear that passing on what I've learned is just as rewarding as learning it myself.  I am proud to have been able to be a small part in the skill development that we saw from the shooters last weekend. 


Also, Bulldog, I couldn't have asked for a better first experience as an IIT.  You and a Lucky are wonderful mentors, and I appreciate the patient instruction and grace that you showed me, and all the shooters this weekend. 

I also think everyone can agree that Fred's depth of knowledge (both historical and ballistic) is something that both the shooters and the instructors can draw inspiration from. 

I'll see you all at the firing line again soon. 

-CompressingFire

CF, so many of us have the same experience moving from an Appleseed shooter to a volunteer! I'm glad you've so quickly found satisfaction in helping others achieve new levels of marksmanship and in passing on the messages of the founding generation.

It sounds like a great shoot all around. Many thanks to everyone who participated as a student or an instructor!

Can? Or can't?

A bolt gun at Appleseed is a greatly overlooked option. It honestly breaks my heart how many people are apprehensive about running a bolt. I have a CZ 457 that I have run and shot distinguished with. In the future I have plans to run a Mossberg 42M-B with peeps or a Marlin 2000 with peeps. My only centerfire bolt action is a Springfield 1903 and I can afford to run that at an event!

I never really understood the phrase "we are paid in riflemen" until now, but after working my first Appleseed as an IIT, it's clear that passing on what I've learned is just as rewarding as learning it myself.  I am proud to have been able to be a small part in the skill development that we saw from the shooters last weekend. 


Also, Bulldog, I couldn't have asked for a better first experience as an IIT.  You and a Lucky are wonderful mentors, and I appreciate the patient instruction and grace that you showed me, and all the shooters this weekend. 

I also think everyone can agree that Fred's depth of knowledge (both historical and ballistic) is something that both the shooters and the instructors can draw inspiration from. 

I'll see you all at the firing line again soon. 

-CompressingFire