Saturday morning dawned bright and promising, albeit hot! Everything was set up and ready for the students when they arrived. We had a few last minute glitches but the instruction commenced at 9:15.
We had 10 of our fellow Americans join us for this weekend's event:
Vance & Spencer, Bob & Robert, Vicky, Mark ( who is already a competition shooter and NRA everything instructor (well almost)) Noah, his friends (Brad & Nancy aka- "Doc", who came up all the way from San Diego). We also had with us one energetic young man, Parker (the Squirrel Hunter).
After the intro, it was onto safety, the safe rifle "line dance", line commands, etc. Then came time to test the mettle of folks against the Red Coats (RC).
The RC's revealed we had some work to do.
We had equipment issues early on. One common issue is lack of a sling or a place to attach one. While we often make due with zipties, they don't let the sling slide freely.
I work at a metal shop and brainstormed up a sling adapter which I'll call a "sling thing." :slap: (see photos) We utilized 3 "sling things" and although they need some refinements, they seemed to work OK the way they were. Once the equipment issues were squared away, we were into shooting squares!
It was most unfortunate that Spencer and his dad had to leave about that time due to an employment situation. I hope things work out at your new job Spencer.
Back to instruction, Slings, SHF's of prone, 6 steps-
Vicky had a fine old rifle she wanted to use (single shot bolt) and was doing great until a jam took it out of commission. She deferred to her backup rifle which was another oldie but goodie, tube fed lever action.
When we broke for lunch Vicky informed me that the heat and elements had got to her. She was done for the day but said she wants to come back in Dec. when the temps. are better for her.
Everyone enjoyed the 3 strikes at lunch. Parker was soaking it up like a sponge, asking questions here and there.
After lunch we had some catching up to do. We went right into the CAQT "greencoats" and everyone was so attentive that we were shooting an QDAQT "AQT's" by 3:00 We followed that up with a "Star" target for a NPOA exercise.
Parker showed the true rifleman's spirit by continuing to shoot from prone even though his elbows were giving him grief.
Did I mention we took quite a few water breaks because, it was HOT! Noah, Brad & "Doc" all left a little early, as they were beat by the heat.
We had time for 2 more AQT's and a RC before we wrapped it up for the day. We could tell Mark was beat when he split a rifleman's score between two targets.
Then it was time for Benediction, (Go forth, be fruitful and 7th step)
Parker was awarded the Luther Blanchard patch. (gotta get somethin for that bleeding elbow, right?!)
Mark was awarded the Rifleman's patch AND accepted a orange hat! WooHoo!
Sorry no pics this day, SB was too busy to take any.
Day 2 dawned a little cooler for us. We had some attrition from Sat's. crowd, but were rewarded with persistant Appleseeders Tom & Josh, who just keep coming back for more!
Noah, Brad and "the Doc" must have been plumb tuckered out from day one as we missed having them back on Sunday. Altogether we had 6 students for Sunday, all eager to go at it.
Parker showed up this morning with his elbow bandaged in horsetape. (compliments of Dr. Mom) A rifleman persists!
Parker's mom said he was telling his family and everyone the history he was so excited. (As well he should be!) He was already thinking of 4H families he could invite to the next AS in Bakersfield. I think I see an orange hat in his future. The morning's RC's showed marked improvement over Saturday mornings.
After a sheet of squares and we were off and running. But before going on to the AQT's we practiced ball and dummy on the sighter square. Then it was onto "the grind". Parker added foam to his stock to correct a sight alignment problem and adjusted his scope accordingly. He also had to add a spacer (old rag to the butt for more length of pull). His rifle resembled something the "sandpeople" from Star Wars would've used. BUT it worked!
Robert built up the comb of his stock with painters tape and foam for better sight alignment.
To alleviate the effects of the grind, untimed AQT's, backwards AQT's, a "tank" target, and a few other things were used to keep it interesting. Finally we had another rifleman's score for the weekend! Robert shot a rifleman's score. (sorry I didn't write it down) A rifleman from a previous Appleseed, he proved he still knew what he was about.
Even though some shooters had reached their plateau, some wanted just "one more chance" to get that elusive patch.
Finally the last RC of the weekend and what a weekend it was!
We revived some folks to their heritage, got two riflemen (Mark and Robert) and a new IIT "instructor in training" (Mark.) and had alot of fun in the process.
For those that didn't get the patch this time, remember that persistence pays off, you WILL get it! O0
Saturday AM Redcoats-
400 - 1
300 - 0
200 -2
100 - 2
H.S. -2
Cleared R.C. - 0
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Saturday PM Redcoats-
400 - 1
300 - 0
200 - 2
100 -0
H.S. - 6
Cleared R.C. -1
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Sunday AM Redcoats-
400 -2
300 - 0
200 -3
100 -0
H.S. - 3
Cleared R.C. -1
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Sunday PM Redcoats-
400 -3
300 -0
200 -1
100 -0
H.S. - 4
Cleared R.C. -1
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Steve
aka Cal 7.62
Sling thing pics
Sorry the rest of the pics are late. Been busy lately. :-[
More pics.
More pics
Hello,
this is noah, i was with out a doubt looking forward to the shoot. I have never had any formal training in shooting a rifle. My basic training was my grandfather handing me a .22 and saying don't shoot your self, of brother. And from there most of my shooting experience's were off sand bags, maybe a few magazines standing up. i have to admit i never considered laying down to shoot. The techniques that were being taught make sense and i will be putting the to use. i plan on going to another appleseed shoot, hopefully bako in December. i have to admit the sun kicked my ass.
Noah