Hello!
I am very interested in attending the Oct shoot in Lima, however, I have some questions about how it works.
1. What is the maximum range we will shoot at?
2. Is there a rifle caliber recommendation? I was originally going to plink with my 22's but if the range is 500 yards, that ain't happenin! **)
3. I have convinced my Brother in law and his wife to attend, but our wives our apprehensive and don't know what to expect. What can I tell them?
4. How long is the day?
5. If I bring two different rifle calibers, do I need 250 rounds of each for a 1 day shoot?
Any other advice or information you can provide would greatly appreciated! I am looking forward to it!
Hello John- I'm one of the IIT's (or instructors in training) I plan on being at the shoot. I can help with a couple of your questions.
1+2 I've not been to the Lima range as it is new but I don't think they have any distance other than the 25 yard range so a 22 is fine (save your ammo $)
3- Tell the wives they'll have a great time I'm a woman who had no experience and no real interest and was encouraged by my nephew and brother in law. I went to the first event intending on knitting not shooting. Due to the supportive learning environment I was able to participate at a level comfortable to me and it has been a great new interest for me. You can plan on meeting great people, learning a great deal in a safe environment and have fun! There are all levels of experience from never having shot to those that have participated in competitions.
4- The day is FULL! We start with registration and set up and safety briefing then typically move to the line and start with targets, there is a great deal of instruction on the first day focusing on positioning, steps to firing a shot, and practicing skills. During the lunch break (most people pack food) we have presentations about the history. The afternoon focuses on more instruction, skill development, history. We usually finish the day at 530 or 6pm. If endurance is a concern for someone they can certainly sit back and not shoot a particular course of fire that others are doing.
5- it is better to have more ammo than you think you need. It is too bad when folks under estimate and don't have what they need.
Prepare appropriately for the weather, bring snacks you can munch on at the line, and a chair to sit on at the line when not shooting. A tarp or ground cloth is handy if the grass is wet or dew it helps when you have to pick up brass too. Plan on being tired at the end but having fun too.
Hi John! I attended my first Appleseed in July (been to one more since), so being another "newbie" I thought I might share a few tips I found out. This is assuming you've checked out this forum for some of the great info there for what to expect (I guess you should consider these clarifications and additions to what's there).
Dangerous D's suggestion of a tarp or something is great; carpet remnants are good too, if a bit rough on your elbows (you'll be shooting from prone a lot).
One thing mentioned on the forum (but I wish they would have perhaps emphasized a bit more) is the importance/requirement of a gun web-sling. Everything they teach with regards to how to shoot starts with that. While it's possible to zip-tie one on to your rifle while you're there (if someone brings a spare), it's definitely preferential to have one attached to your 22 with studs and swivels. IM(very)HO, this is one of the few things that can make a great weekend learning experience an okay experience. Uncle Mike's swivels were recommended to me, and I found them for around $10 on midway (1.25" width); they served me great (with a cotton web sling) during the second shoot. But either way, I'd really make sure you had some sort of sling on the rifles your planning to shoot.
For the two shoots I've been to, 22's have definitely ruled the day. If you have several different calibers, you can certainly bring them to shoot; but if I had had a selection of rifles on my first shoot, I would have focused on learning and practicing with the 22's for Saturday day and Sunday morning, and then seeing how it all comes together with the larger caliber rifle on Sunday afternoon.
Finally, if there isn't shade there, then some sort of pavilion or shade cover (and something to sit on, as D mentioned) might be a good idea, too.
I won't be at that shoot, but I hope it's a great one for you. Let us know how it turns out!
Howdy... I will also be one of the IITs at the Lima Event and was at the first one there back in August...
1. We will be firing from a distance of 25 meters for this event (82 feet)...
2. This is an any caliber event, up to .32 cal. / 8mm , however most will be using a .22 of some flavor to ease the pain in the ol' wallet... Go ahead and bring your centerfire and "give it a shot"....
3. Your wives can expect to receive some of the best rifle marskmanship available, as can you.... IF they decide not to shoot, they are more than welcome to stay at the "ready line" (The gear and chair line away from the actual firing line) and provide moral support... A pop-up shelter of some sort would be beneficial if they intend to stay on the range during the day... However, with the event being in early October we can expect mild temps for the weekend.
4. Dangerous D covered this quite nicely... O0
5. Depending on which day you are speaking of.... A 550 bulk pack of .22 ammo will usually cover the weekend unless we really ramp things up.. Day one round count is around 150-200 with day two not over 300 rounds.
Make sure to bring lunch for both days so you don't have to leave for grub.
Thank you for all of the great advice. I am going to share this information with my BIL and our wives.
A few more questions, if you don't mind...
1. Will it work against me to only attend one day?
2. Will it be frowned upon to bring my centerfire rifle to try it out?
3. I have a definite preference to vintage leverguns. Will this be a hinderance?
4. If I were to purchase a sling, will it be an issue to utilize a leather ching sling versus a standard sling?
I am shopping for slings here in town and I want to familiar with how to use it prior to the shoot...
Thanks again! I am an easy sell, I just want to be sure I am prepared and I can effectively prepare my companions.
Quote from: JohnB on September 22, 2010, 11:52:13 PM
Thank you for all of the great advice. I am going to share this information with my BIL and our wives.
A few more questions, if you don't mind...
1. Will it work against me to only attend one day?
2. Will it be frowned upon to bring my centerfire rifle to try it out?
3. I have a definite preference to vintage leverguns. Will this be a hinderance?
4. If I were to purchase a sling, will it be an issue to utilize a leather ching sling versus a standard sling?
I am shopping for slings here in town and I want to familiar with how to use it prior to the shoot...
Thanks again! I am an easy sell, I just want to be sure I am prepared and I can effectively prepare my companions.
Hi JohnB,
All very good questions. I will try to answer from my perspective.
1. It is recommended to attend both days of an Appleseed. But if you can only make one day, Saturday has the majority of the teaching, Sunday is for polishing, with a review of what was taught Sunday. History is told both days. Saturday history is different than Sunday.
2. Not at all. Bring the Centerfire and try it out. You will learn how the sights adjust.
3. We get into timed events.
4. I am not too familiar with the Ching sling but others might be. If you are familiar with it, there is no reason not to get it. There are GI web slings available at the Appleseed Store.
I am certain you all will have a great time.
SS
Quote from: SavageShootr on September 23, 2010, 12:41:35 AM
Quote from: JohnB on September 22, 2010, 11:52:13 PM
Thank you for all of the great advice. I am going to share this information with my BIL and our wives.
A few more questions, if you don't mind...
1. Will it work against me to only attend one day?
2. Will it be frowned upon to bring my centerfire rifle to try it out?
3. I have a definite preference to vintage leverguns. Will this be a hinderance?
4. If I were to purchase a sling, will it be an issue to utilize a leather ching sling versus a standard sling?
I am shopping for slings here in town and I want to familiar with how to use it prior to the shoot...
Thanks again! I am an easy sell, I just want to be sure I am prepared and I can effectively prepare my companions.
Hi JohnB,
All very good questions. I will try to answer from my perspective.
1. It is recommended to attend both days of an Appleseed. But if you can only make one day, Saturday has the majority of the teaching, Sunday is for polishing, with a review of what was taught Sunday. History is told both days. Saturday history is different than Sunday.
2. Not at all. Bring the Centerfire and try it out. You will learn how the sights adjust.
3. We get into timed events.
4. I am not too familiar with the Ching sling but others might be. If you are familiar with it, there is no reason not to get it. There are GI web slings available at the Appleseed Store.
I am certain you all will have a great time.
SS
Thank you, SavageShootr!
FYI - My rifle is a Marlin 39, which holds 16 rounds, so I think I may be OK on the timed event, correct?
If I purhcase a sling via the store, should I pick it up at the shoot or have it delivered to my home in Columbus?
Hi John, glad to hear your going to the shoot. This will be my 4th and I always have a good time. I have talked 10 other folks into going to past shoots and all have had a good experience and said they learned a lot. Most have had lots of questions and had some doubts about going but it really is a relaxed, fun environment. The only time I have ever seen the instructors or anyone else get their panties in a wad and act less than happy was when someone wasnt following the easy range commands that my 12 yr. old son had no problem following. Even then they were more patient that I would have wanted to be. Someone kept trying to sneak a few extra shots in after the "cease fire". I personally would be fine with a butt stroke to the back of the head after the first warning for not obeying cease fire ~~:). But the instructors addressed it professionally and we went onto have a good time. Safety is the only subj. that is not taken in the spirit of low stress and having a good time.
I have been very impressed with the come as you are with what you have mentality. Its not a gear convention. If all I had was a single shot old beater I could still go and learn a lot. I have always been able to stay both days but Saturday has always been the most informative. Sunday seemed to be more review and practicing. It takes a lot of concentration at first to remember to use all the steps every time. However, if I could only attend Sunday I would show up then and not worry about it.
As far as the ladies go, it can be very tiring, physically and mentally to apply that much concentration throughout both days. I recomend advil and make sure they understand they dont have to shoot every round. In taking youngsters, expecially the second day I encouraged them to sit out every other round or so of the AQT. A camping chair in the shade with something to drink may go along way in helping them have a good time. I would also suggest playing down any ideas of competition. You are only competing against yourself (except my son who desprately wants to outshoot me - ain't hapening this year). I would also strongly recomend resorting to bribery. Promise to take them out someplace nice for a weekend in return for them spending time with you at the shoot. (You might also mention to them that there is a skyline nearby where we can eat lunch on break, O0 yes it really is that good.)
Hope to see ya there.
Josh
Well, dang it!
I waited too long for others to make up their minds and now it is sold out! :wall:
I will have to attend the next shoot.
But I am on the waitlist.... ;)
Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!
Come up to Gibsonburg this weekend....have room for you !
only 1hr or s up the road !
pb
Hey I'm not sure if this will help you but my son and I both registered and I found out he is not going to be able to make it Saturday. He will only be shooting Sunday. I hate to see a space go unfilled. Is there someone that needs to be notified so others can take advantage?
josh
Thanks, Snevid.
I am only going on Saturday, so that may work. :bow:
Let me know if this works for everyone.
Thanks!
snevid, sorry to hear your son can't make it!
Please send an email to info@appleseedinfo.org and let them know his name so they can free up that space for JohnB or someone else. :)
If you don't hear a response by middle of next week or so, please let me know and I'll forward it to a few people.
Thanks!
Hi JohnB,
If Lima and G-burg do not work out for you there is always Athens on Oct. 31- Nov1. Any Ohio shoot will be well worth your time IMHO O0 O0 .Also, if your wife & sister-in-law want to learn to shoot a rifle without pressure of men around, there is the All-Ladies shoot in Athens over the Oct 16-17 weekend too. A weekend the men cook and clean, now how enticing is that?!?!?!?!?!
Wherever you end up, I am sure you will not regret the time and money spent!
In His Grip,
Ratchett
Mean streaker, I will send that email later today from my other pc. Ratchett, I have been to two athens shoots and they were a blast. There are some really good people down there and the lunches were great but you might be scaring some away with all the talk of the guys cooking ++).
josh
HEHEHE Snevid,
The guys are real good in the kitchen! Due to being short handed the September shoot they got a crash course and stepped up to the job real well. They didn' t even use any "road kill" :D ;D
Ratchett
Meanstreaker, fyi email notification of saturday cancelation for my son was sent.
Thanks
JohnB, I actually also am in C'bus; it's odd how we live in the state capitol, and yet the the closest event's are in Athens and Lima, eh? Who knows, maybe one day West Jefferson will re-open...
Both of my shoots have been in Athens; so I don't have much to compare to, but both were pretty amazing. I've brought around a half dozen guys with me between the two events, and I believe they would all say the same. So if you can't get into Lima, I'd certainly look at Athens. Just two more cents worth.