Dulzura, CA June 30 - July 1, 2012 AAR

[SoulMan]

JED: [chewing on a piece of straw] Hey, Earl, I heard you had a shoot this weekend at Dulzura. How'd that go?

EARL: [leans aside to spit some tabbacky before answering, then nods and smiles] Well, Jed, we had a pretty good shoot...

Yes, we did. With Francis Marion and SoulMan running the line, we started the day on Saturday with 6 shooters (4 of which were new to Appleseed, including Catharine and her two boys, Heath Jr (11) and Abraham (9), and two shooters (Cal and Kenny) in striking distance of Rifleman, based on scores at previous shoots).

The morning Redcoat target showed 1 x 200 yd shooter and 1 x 400 yd shooter -- plenty of room for improvement.

Later in the morning, we were joined by a family with three shooters, who took turns on the line so they could watch the little ones safely in the background. Having been to one Appleseed before, daddy was deadly accurate with the only AR on the range that day (a scoped S&W M&P). Amidst all the .22's in the line, its loud report stood out with the sound of $cha-ching$! His daughter Carmen (9) was as cute as could be shooting her little single-shot bolt-action .22 Chipmunk, and it warmed my heart when, as she listened intently to the Story of April 19th, 1775, she translated for her mother.

Oh, yeah, and Frank roped me into telling all three strikes. I swear the whole thing only took 47 minutes. Seeing the fire in the eyes of Cal, a former Marine, during the history I couldn't help but steal some of the thunder from Sunday by sneaking in an anecdote about the indomitable Samuel Whittimore. Not that you'e old, Cal, but you're made of that kind of stuff. Let's just say it whet folks' appetite for more DOM (stories of Dangerous Old Men and Brave Women) on Sunday.

Shooters were quick to help one another throughout the day with equipment issues ranging from loose scopes to jamming tube-fed feeders.  They offered tools and sling swivels, even loaning LTR's to help others stay on the line (for you newbies, an LTR, or Liberty Training Rifle, is a .22, usually a Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 795 set up with nice aperture sights like TechSights, or a scope). I was proud to be among so many selfless patriots.

Afternoon Redcoat showed fair improvement, with 2 x 100 shooters, 2 x 200 shooters, and 1 x 300 (just outside the .30 cal rule from 400). Just as important, everyone was reading their targets and identifying the fundamentals they wanted to work on to tighten up their groups and put rounds where they want them.

Sorry I couldn't be there Sunday to see the progress of these persistent soon-to-be-Riflemen. But I'll let Frank and the rest take it from there.

[jshoebot]

And now for the Sunday review... We had three return shooters for the second day.  Surprising considering the sunshine and looming heat inherent in the southern California sky!  It takes tough people to come out, considering the type of day we were in for. Andy, Cal, and Kenny; strong men all.  First thing was first, we set up some field-expedient sunshade!



Once we began sending rounds downrange, Francis Marion and myself were able to gauge the level of instruction needed by the shooters.  The quick and dirty answer was: not much!  The first groups on paper were TIGHT!  We're talking an inch, inch and half tops.  We spent the morning smoking out problems; NPOA adjustments, focusing on that front sight, proper trigger squeeze, among other things.  It was great that we got to provide so much one-on-one instruction. It seems that all the instruction and hard work on the part of the shooters paid off.  The first AQT was posted just before lunch, and Andy shot a 211!! A new California Rifleman to add to the ranks (even if he lives in Texas)!

Lunchtime came about, and we regaled the three musketeers (or shooters, whichever you prefer) with the stories of the Dangerous Old Men.  The gravity of what these men did for posterity was felt by all.

After lunch, more AQTs!  A solid showing by all, with steady improvements through the day. Unfortunately, I had to leave early due to family obligations.  Of course, everybody knows what happened on the very next AQT after I left: another Rifleman was forged in the furnace-like heat of southern California! Kenny showed strongly with a 214.  Add another one to the ranks!



In all, it was a great Sunday at a great Appleseed.  Good set of shooters, good set of instructors.  Nothing like a San Diego Appleseed, that's for sure. It must be some sort of record: 66.7% of shooters present on Sunday made Rifleman!  For Cal, who hasn't made it yet: persist!  You'll get there man, just persist!  I'm looking forward to working with you at Rainbow in August.  We'll get a patch on you yet!

Thanks to all for coming out, and I hope to see you all soon!  Kenny, it's orange hat time...

Here are the pictures I was able to take before my phone exploded:




Francis Marion's field-expedient handstop for Marlin rifles:



Now somebody post a picture of Andy's patch ceremony!

[boxcutter3005]

I got you covered Jeff, here's Andy getting his patch!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/hawkeye_9899/photobucket-2206-1341240356164.jpg

And here's a picture of us shooters after a long day.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/hawkeye_9899/photobucket-2076-1341240332940.jpg

It was a great day. Francis and Jeff's instruction was awesome, kneeling down to help us out with all the smaller, finer details that might just get us over that cliff. Jeff spent time spotting for me, and talking me through some of the shots while we were sighting things. Francis gave me the one tip that probably helped me over, that I should relax into the sling. Maybe I was fighting that sling to much, whatever it was, it worked.

Thanks to everyone.

As for saturday's review, that was awesome too. Much respect to Francis and Joel. I think it takes great patience to be able to instruct the kids who were there and only two instructors. Being able to instruct us adults at one level, but also having the patience and wisdom to instruct the children goes a long way.

-Kenny Chin

[boxcutter3005]

Fixed

[Johnnyappleseed]

Did i see 2 new Riflemen ?
Whoo hoo nice shoot 

Pic's came out great   

[Francis Marion]

Americans gathered on short notice to refine Second Amendment skills in San Diego county.  For a hot Saturday and Sunday, individuals, friends and families strove to meet the Rifleman challenge. 

Shooters learned to speak 'target' as they examined shot groupings.  Patterns and their underlying causes rent the former veil of mystery.

Young persons learned a good lesson for life- that quality input is necessary for quality outcome.  Two recently graduated Young Marines, Heath and Abraham, gave the rifle shooting their very best effort, not missing a firing period right beside their Mom.  When was the last time you saw young persons willingly focus on a difficult task all day long?   Not unusual for young Appleseeders, from my experience. 

Alex and Corrina's family took turns shooting and watching their youngest family members.  I hope you all will join us again in September. 

Cal, Andy, and Kenneth came back Sunday for a lengthy AQT session, and they certainly got that.   Our group included a retired Navy Corpsman, an active duty Army artilleryman, and a computer specialist.   Three regular guys. 

Andy, an artilleryman, shot a Ruger 10-22 with a (Hogue?) black plastic stock, and STANDARD RUGER SIGHTS with a hasty sling.  After watching Andy shoot that rifle and achieve 4 MOA or better groups, AND earn his Rifleman patch, I have to say that my opinion of Ruger sights has changed.  Although they may not work for me- just too much blur- they certainly did work for Andy.  What a great attitude he brought to the event- he persisted with the equipment he had, and the sling he might use in a firefight.  Hats off to you, sir.

Cal operated a tech sight equipped Marlin with loop sling.  With persistence, his patch will come, and soon, from the results on paper I saw and from observing his determination to keep going.  It's not a question of when but rather how soon, Cal. 

Kenneth earned his Riflman patch on Sunday along with Andy.  He just kept practicing and relaxing until he got it.  Good work, and thanks for the privilege of handing you a properly earned patch.   If you would like to teach people the skill you have learned, there is an orange hat for the asking, Kenneth.   

With thanks for all the attendees and Instructors, SoulMan and Jshoebot, together we gave Liberty and Freedom a boost upwards this weekend. 

Blessings of Liberty to all,

-FM

   

[SoulMan]

Congratulations to our new California Riflemen!