Canton, GA AAR - Apr. 20-21, 2024

[Leadslinger66]

What a special weekend at the Shaw-Woodard Firearms Training Complex (Cherokee County Sherrif's Range) in Canton, Georgia! The morning after the 249th anniversary of the most important day in American history, a great group of patriots gathered to learn about the birth of our nation as well as marksmanship.

We started the day with some opening remarks, then heard a great first strike by Gator0246. After that, we did the mandatory safety briefing then jumped right into marksmanship. The morning hits count target results were good, but we knew we could do better. We covered all of the foundational blocks of instruction along with some dry fire exercises, then shot our first squares targets and they were looking good. The morning flew by and after the second square, we were ready for lunch.

Along with lunch came more history. 6Bones gave an awesome second strike. After lunch, we shot more squares and covered talking targets and IMC.

Sherrif Reynolds stopped by, and we presented him with a range appreciation certificate. He has allowed Project Appleseed to use this range for six years! Huzzah! (By the way Project Appleseed is the only non-law enforcement group allowed to use this range)!

After the presentation and a few words from the Sherrif, we returned to the instruction. We covered rifleman's cadence and carding the sights, and magazine changes. Then we took a break to hear Upacreek give us a compelling third strike. We then returned to the line to cover transition to prone and shoot stage three, then sitting and stage two. By this time, all of the hard work and the warmth of the Springtime sun in Georgia had us all worn out, so we went to the classroom to hear about Prudence Wright, followed by the benediction, then called it a day with full intentions of returning on Sunday.

When Sunday came, the weather was quite different from Saturday. It was chilly and rainy, but riflemen persist! In honor of Sunday, Roswell talked to us about the Black Robed Regiment and gave some DOM stories about clergy's participation in the war for independence. We reviewed Saturday's blocks of instruction inside with expectations of the weather warming a bit before we went out (it didn't...). After the safety brief, we went out to find the rains had come, but we didn't let that deter us. We shot a morning redcoat and some sighters, then reviewed sitting and practiced each variation on the greencoat targets. We posted AQT's and shot stage two, three, and four, then taught standing and shot stage one. We retired to the classroom for lunch and the Sunday KD presentation. When we returned to the range, we did ball and dummy and shot some drills to reinforce magazine changes and target transitioning, then shot two more AQT's before the Memorial Volley.

Captain John Parker himself (Rosswell in period dress) led us through the Memorial Volley in unison with other Appleseed clinics across the nation at the prescribed time. It was a touching and solemn activity that hopefully made us reflect on the sacrifices of our founders.

We had time for one more AQT before wrapping up for the weekend.

After the flood of marksmanship instruction and lots of rounds downrange, we found two new riflemen. Brad qualified multiple times with a high (and distinguished) score of 239. Elizabeth earned a baptizing of water from the North Bridge with a score of 210. In addition to the two new riflemen, we had three people who requalified. John had a high score of 238 (distinguished), Isaac shot a 218, and Michael M. showed us all how to do it with a distinguished 249! Everyone shot well and improved over the course of the weekend. I encourage you all to use dryfire practice to help with further improvement, come back to see us soon, and bring a friend!

I must say that this was one of my favorite Appleseeds ever and I enjoyed having everyone attend. Many thanks to the instructor cadre and to the Cherokee County Sherrif's Range for hosting us! I hope to see everyone again soon!

P.S. - feel free to share any pictures you have from the weekend.

[6Bones]

It was a great day for liberty!

Thanks for leading us, Lead!

[upacreek]

What better way to commemorate Patriots Weekend than sharing it with friends and their families, celebrating our Second Amendment and the birth of our great nation.

Thanks for sharing your pictures, 6Bones.


John Parker himself made a guest appearance for Patriots Weekend.  Roswell is a great sport.


Cassie, Rollin, & John practice the seated position.  It's great to see families shooting together.


John persisted despite the aches and pains.  We missed you Sunday.


Gator0246 instructs us on talking targets as Rett and Elizabeth soak it in.


Leadslinger66 helps Elizabeth with the kneeling shooting position


Sheriff Reynolds stopped by to show his Appleseed support.  Leadslinger presented him with an Appleseed poster and a certificate of appreciation, thanking him and the Cherokee Sheriff's Office for 6 years of generously letting us use their awesome range.



It was a little wet on Sunday.  Thankfully the rain tapered off the last hour or two.  Everyone just rolled with it.  Shooting in puddles just adds character, right?


6Bones is hard to miss with his new jacket.  Great picture


Austin works on his prone shooting. 


Michael is a repeat Appleseeder and came out Sunday to shoot Patriots Day weekend.  Looking good.


Michael scored 249!!!  Great shooting!


Cassie & Rollin look great. 


Michael, Rett, and Elizabeth shoot seated.


Brad does a great job in the seated position


Leadslinger66 gives Elizabeth a Patriot's Day Patch


Bunny receives her Patriots Day Patch


Bunny shows us her memorial target.  Nice shooting!


Elizabeth scored a 210 and is baptized as a rifleman!!!  Thanks for letting me pour the North Bridge water, Leadslinger.


Roswell/John Parker read the names for the memorial volley