Finleyville, PA AAR September 16-17, 2023

[Yates]

Special thanks to the Mingo Rod & Gun Club (MRGC) for hosting us once again.  They donated their entire rifle range to us for the weekend, and were very helpful in all aspects of getting ready for a 25m Appleseed Rifle Clinic.  They could not have been more gracious and we are already gearing up for more events next year at this wonderful club.

The weather was great on Saturday, and maybe even a bit hot on Saturday afternoon.  With many new shooters, they all persevered through the firehose of instruction and greatly improved as the weekend progressed.  We worked through the day proceeding from demonstration to dry fire practice to live fire confirmation of our marksmanship instruction, combined with history and heritage in the shade.  A few muzzle waivers were quickly corrected, and everyone was very receptive to the course of instruction.  History and heritage were well received and there were some great discussions. 

Sunday's weather was cooler, with a bit of rain.  While seven of the shooters could not return on Sunday (including prior face painting commitments!), the other students fought through the light rain and showed great improvement as the day progressed. By Sunday everyone had the process down pretty well and we proceeded at a good pace.  Several AQT's were shot, along with some fierce balloons, which were quickly and accurately dispatched.  (Next time, I might just put a target behind those balloons, as they seemed to greatly add to accuracy for some reason.) The shooters showed those pesky Redcoats the strength of our cause on the Red Coat/Hits Count target and the last AQT.  Jim was ecstatic at having cleared his Hits Count on Sunday morning, and we have one new Rifleman to add to our cadre - on the last AQT, Garrett scored a 216.  Shawn and Chip both again dispatched their Redcoats and requalified as Riflemen.  Huzza!   There were several scores that came very close, so I am sure we will have more rifleman at their next event. 

Thanks to all the shooters and MRGC for a great weekend.

[EZ3]

Another great weekend at Mingo Rod & Gun Club with a fantastic group of patriotic Americans.  Huzzah!  You know it's a special group when they volunteer to shoot in the rain.

[Charles McKinley]

It was a great shoot.  I look forward to seeing many return and new shooters at their next event.