It's that time again, folks. Appleseed time, at the West End Gun Club.
We've been fortunate to have a pretty mild summer in Southern California. All that changed this weekend. %) It was plenty warm, some news reports saying as high as 106 F out there today! Luckily our tried and true Appleseed range is covered and has wonderful shady trees. Only thing that would make them better is if they were Apple trees. :))
Despite the punishing heat, eleven brave patriots joined us on the line early Saturday morning, seven guys and four gals, eight adults and three adults in training. Three of our shooters were returning students, and our new shooters all eager to learn.
Morning Redcoats showed potential but plenty of room for improvement. Equipment gremlins were quickly found and corrected, and in no time at all shooters began whittling away at the size of their groups.
My fellow SBIT asminuteman even appeared for Third Strike in full Colonial milita costume, complete from musket to straight shoes -- and I don't envy how warm it must have been in that getup -- but nothing makes history come alive like dressing the part. Our younger shooters already knew a good piece of our history, and one young man had indeed heard of William Dawes. O0 We have some smart kids in California, don't be fooled.
By the end of Saturday, everyone was starting to run out of gas, but our last redcoat still stood head and shoulders over the first attempt. One shooter got the coveted Bonus Box. Everyone retreated to rehydrate and reload... :~
Sunday was even hotter, and we found ourselves down to a half dozen shooters, grimly determined to prove their mettle. They turned and burned and got going on AQT's faster than any group I've seen in a while. We mixed it up with cookies and RFAQT's, and a couple of emergency hydration breaks $$-0 but they rose to the occasion. Every one of them was shooting at least 150's by the end of the day. First-timer Brian, and veteran 'Seeders Mark and Miner both finished in striking (or even strolling) distance of the coveted Rifleman Patch. And, we had one young man who earned it.
It is my supreme pleasure to welcome returning Appleseeder Biscuit to the ranks of California Riflemen, after a no-nonsense 217 on an RFAQT. And that's not even the best part. He also joins us as our newest IIT! ^:)^ I met this fine American in my first stint as an IIT, and it's only fitting that he now carries the Orange Hat given to me. He does Civil War reenactment, he already can teach half of our material, and he's always helped us out without hesitation. To Biscuit, well done.
As it happens, he's leaving California very soon to seek fortune in the heartland. He'll be a credit to Appleseed no matter which crew is lucky enough to have him.
We took a few pictures. I'll post mine as soon as my camera cools enough to touch. :))
Thanks again to everyone who made it so special. Thanks also to my fellow instructors, who really spoiled me as an SBIT with fearless attitudes and peerless skills. Laylopro makes it look easy, the rest of you just plain make it easy. Couldn't ask for a better bunch of students or a better crew.
We all had a great weekend -- how about you?
- Rocket Man
And what an event it was,, it is always a pleasure to work with such motivated and dedicated Shooters, Yes it was hot, but not only did the sunday Shooters brave the heat Saturday but persisted
through Sunday as well, For that I thank all of You!!
James (Biscuit), has been with Appleseed for over two years, We met "on the mats" in Corona Ca,and He has been through everything from bad equipment to rough weather, (yes when it is nice, it is wonderful, but when it is bad it is nasty) and he prevailed. We look forward to spending as much Appleseed time as possible with Him before he is off, welcome abord and thank you for stepping up.
For those of you who did not acheive that coveted patch, do not despair you were close so close that with dry practice at home and a few trips to the range I am sure you will do it.
Again thank all of you for the opportunity to spend the weekend with such a motivated and commited group of Appleseeders.
A few more !!
Here's a few more pictures. I think some of my pictures melted! :o
If anyone wants higher resolution versions, just send me a PM.
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/as_rocketman/Glen%20Helen%20Sept%202010/asm_glenhelen_9_2010.jpg)
asminuteman presenting the Second Strike in full costume... and in the shade. Lovely, lovely shade.
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/as_rocketman/Glen%20Helen%20Sept%202010/sos_glenhelen_9_2010.jpg)
"With safeties on... Stand!"
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/as_rocketman/Glen%20Helen%20Sept%202010/llp_glenhelen_9_2010.jpg)
What's this? A Shoot Boss getting some trigger time and keeping his skills up to par?? SBIT asminuteman had things so under control, even Laylopro could relax a little. :---
(http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/as_rocketman/Glen%20Helen%20Sept%202010/crew_glenhelen_9_2010.jpg)
Another IIT joins the group. In the back, from left to right: NewMOe, Rocket Man, LayloPro, phoneprone, Biscuit, and 22CalGal. In the front, left to right: Demnogis, Justin, and asminuteman.
Come on back and see us again!
Grats Biscuit! Welcome aboard!
WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
CONGRATULATIONS Biscuit!!! Thanks for grabbing a bucket!
SS
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Congrats to biscuit!! I am truly sorry I wasn't there to see you make rifleman. I'm certain you look good in orange!
Congrats Biscuit! Now he can ditch the French Foreign Legion hat ;D :P
I was thoroughly impressed with how sharp our shooters were, Saturday and Sunday. I am always astonished to see first-time-EVER shooters go from buckshot groups to 8 MOA, in the span of 6 hours nonetheless. It is unfortunate however that they could not return Sunday.
Sunday we really did have some "whooped cream" as they are called. The Instructor to Shooter ratio was 1:1 so everyone was able to spend the day polishing their skills. I believe raw exhaustion is what afflicted everyone towards the day. When they come back to the next shoot, we aim to see that many more CA Riflemen!
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Congratulations Biscuit and welcome aboard O0
Nice shoot California O0
Sorry to missed this fun event :(
Looking forward to the next one ;D
JA
Thank you all for helping me get my mind to "Shut up at shoot".
I am extremely grateful that LLP lent me his Scoped LTR. :bow:
I just want to thank you to, 22calgal, Rocket Man, asminuteman, NewMoe, Demnogis, Justin, Bob210, Kool Aid, Socalserf, and LayloPro for helping me get the Rilfeman's score. Even though at times it felt like you were being evil, and torturing me I knew that it was to all in good fun, or to help me.
I will miss seeing you guys at Appleseeds, and wish I could stay and be taught by outstanding individuals such as 22calgal, Rocket Man, asminuteman, NewMoe, Demnogis, and of course LayloPro. To anyone I forgot THANK YOU!
Now on to Missouri!!!!
Andrew here. A big thanks to all of the instructors who took their time to lead such an outstanding class. Your passion is contagious. I was a bit frustrated with my rifle but the handfull of issues will be gradually worked out as I gain more experience. Upgraded sights and modded magazines are easy enough to fix up, but the short length of pull on my 10/22 may have been an issue as well.
I hope to be able to do at least two of these a year, and eventually go to a Boot Camp.
God Bless,
A
Hey Andrew, thanks for signing on to the boards.
There's always a little frustration... after my first Appleseed I had to get new magazines, and I should have rethought my sling while I was at it. It happens. What's important is to persist, until we get through those annoyances. Afterwards, things are great. :---
You were doing just fine, especially considering you were using the infamous Ruger 10/22 stock sights. Also it's pretty common to have to adjust length of pull -- I've had to do that to three of my rifles. You can try it cheaply on your own with a chunk of styrofoam and some duct tape, then do some dry practice at home until you find the length that works. After you've got that there are plenty of inexpensive aftermarket extenders, like Limbsaver, Uncle Mike's, etc. Or you can even go nuts and get a whole new stock for the 10/22. The beauty of the Ruger platform is the extremely large list of accessories out there. On the other hand, you can just try something simple and cheap and homemade. Whatever works.
Remember, if it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid. ;D
Hope to see you at the next one!
Here is a start Andrew
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=8&categoryId=12903&categoryString=649***20766***9142***11647*** (http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=8&categoryId=12903&categoryString=649***20766***9142***11647***)
Just a few hundred choices A cheap slip on but pad will work for length of pull so it is a q of how much to spend.
As for sights, some like the tech sights, I like the williams but there are others
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=8&categoryId=17421&categoryString=649***20766***9142***11647*** (http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=8&categoryId=17421&categoryString=649***20766***9142***11647***)
http://www.tech-sights.com/ (http://www.tech-sights.com/)
And Scopes have become very affordable
http://www.amazon.com/BSA%C2%AE-Sweet-22-Scope-Matte/dp/B000NJUPAS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1286202594&sr=8-2 (http://www.amazon.com/BSA%C2%AE-Sweet-22-Scope-Matte/dp/B000NJUPAS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1286202594&sr=8-2)
Hope this helps Andrew,
God Bless you also.
Thanks NewMOe,
I have a couple of Williams sets still in the package somewhere, and tore the house apart trying to find them Friday night. ++)
I will definately score a buttpad, thanks. I want to become thoroughly proficient with iron sights before going to a scope.
Andrew all I can say is PERSIST till you get the patch. At the next Appleseed your at ask how long it took for me (Biscuit) to get the patch. I think you will be surprised at how long it took me. Also remember they are friendly people and just trying to help you.