After enduring Appleseed after Appleseed in the sweltering heat, the Oct 8-9 Appleseed event was a blessing. Not only was the weekend picture perfect, weather-wise, we had a full line (though not sold out) of energetic Americans desiring to learn more about our common heritage and a uniquely American trait: marksmanship.
We had a few return Appleseeders, but the majority of the folks had not touched a rifle. This presented the Instructor Corps a dilemma: how to fully teach the new students without losing the more experienced ones. So we did what any Rifleman worth his salt would, Adapt, Improvise & Overcome . We walked a fine line, pushing the new students just fast enough to keep them on the cart while the return students were kept from being winded or bored !@#).
Our Saturday AM Redcoats showed us that we had 9 people that could at least hit 100 yard consistently with 2 shooting 400 yard & 3 of them getting the square. Saturday PM showed us that 9 mostly 100 yd shooters was now 17 with 5 at 400 and 6 getting the square. Impressive indeed! ^:)^
By the end of Saturday the majority of students were grouping around 6-8 MOA while about half were better than 6. I thought that we'd have several Riflemen, but the dreaded timed transitional stages got the better of them. Practice getting into position and acquiring your NPOA quickly and we'll see you up there getting your patch.
At the end of the weekend, we had 4 shooters achieving Rifleman scores, 2 of them re-qualifying and several more bettering 190. Stacy steadily got better but plateaued at 209; next time Stacy!
Craig, keep an eye on your support elbow and smooth out your trigger squeeze and we should see you sporting a Rifleman's patch.
Debbie, you've got to be relaxed to shoot well, but you saw yourself that you have the ability to put 5 rounds in a 1" square. You and Steve have a great family, I enjoyed working with them all!
Abigail and Hayiegh, I'm sorry that I didn't get much time to work with you, but I know that you were in good hands.
And now, on to the photos!
The whole Manchester 8-9 crew!
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010688_sm.jpg)
Left side of the line
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010672_sm.jpg)
Right side of the line
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010671_sm.jpg)
Haliegh showing great form (or is that Abigail?)
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010669_sm.jpg)
Abigail determined to learn (or is that Haliegh?)
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010674_sm.jpg)
Sitting Steady Hold Factors Demo
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010697_sm.jpg)
Now, what did I do with the rest of my rifle??? %)
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010705_sm.jpg)
James, youngest of three generations at this shoot
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010709_sm.jpg)
Future Riflewoman Emily
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010666_sm.jpg)
Proof that NPOA works!
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010677_sm.jpg)
Debbie proves that persistence pays off, 4 MOA grouping!
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010680_sm.jpg)
Preparation Periods too long or just relaxing in position?
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010681_sm.jpg)
Rifleman William
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010667_sm.jpg)
Riflemen Steve and Sam
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010728_sm.jpg)
Mike accepts the Orange Hat!
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010721_sm.jpg)
Persistant Youth and their Luther Blanchard Patches
(http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb396/cbmangum/P1010727_sm.jpg)
Thanks,
Charlie
I just wanted to thank you all again for a great weekend. Haleigh & Abigail were nervous about coming at first since they had never fired a rifle before. Everyone was wonderful with them and made them feel at ease right away. They had so much fun and learned alot (about shooting and our history). I know several people worked with Abigail, but I especially wanted to thank Don for the loaner rifle for Haleigh, and Doyle for the time he took with her to help her improve. I look forward to seeing you all at another event soon!
We are psyched up about Appleseed! Thanks to all the instructors--all of you were helpful, knowledgeable, and encouraging. We're all proud of Steve for achieving Rifleman at his first Appleseed (but we're not surprised). All 3 of the boys enjoyed it immensely and are taking pamphlets to their Scout meeting tonight to encourage the Scouts to attend the Appleseed at Winter Camp. And they're already talking up a Troop trip to an Appleseed next spring. Thanks especially to those who worked closely with our youngest son, James--he was feeling discouraged the 2nd day, but you came up with a plan that worked and he can't wait to get out on the range and shoot again. I greatly enjoyed myself, and would love to come to another Appleseed. I was improving, but got flustered Sunday afternoon with the timed transitions, but I'm confident with practice, it'll come together. Charlie, relaxing is something that obviously doesn't come natural to a Type A like me, but I'll work on that! :D We looked at our schedule and can't fit it in with Steve's work schedule, but we'll be there next year and with friends along. In fact I plan to call several of my friends for a girls shoot. Thanks again to all your help, and thanks to Don for the loaner rifles. We've got better rifles on our Christmas list already!
Thanks for posting all the pics--we all enjoyed seeing them. Steve wanted to point out that the square on the Redcoat target was about the size of the British tax stamp. A good reference target for historical purposes :---
Thanks
Debbie
I love seeing all of the pictures! My son, Tylor, had a blast and we are ready to sign up for the next Appleseed! Such a great learning experience! Thank you!
It was another great shoot and I know that everyone had a good time. I enjoyed meeting new people that are like minded. It was nice meeting Grandson of Liberty. Hope to see him at another Appleseed. Thanks to all the instructors for all their help. Next time I will break 210 not plateau at 209.