Well, a brief update on the days events.
23 shooters on Saturday, some old faces, some new faces.
Excellent weather, just warm enough to be comfortable in a jacket or sweatshirt, cool enough that you needed one.
Off to a slow start, but we sped things up as the day went on. The wind was brisk, and blew down some of the target line a couple of times.
We did get 3 Rapid Fire AQT's in towards the end of the day.
We got 3 Riflemen, zercool was first, shot a 22o with a Savage bolt action. Next were Dana (213) and supersniper (214). Both were using 10/22's.
We also have more than a couple of shooters that are knocking on the door, and very well may get there tomorrow.
Had a great time today, Nickle, and definitely looking forward to tomorrow! Correction to your post though, my score was a 212... but still done with a .22 bolt gun! ;D
Congratulations to all the new Riflemen. ;D
Also congratulations to the folks who were there, keep knocking, you will get there, that door does open.
zercool, I also shot a Rifleman score with a Savage .22 Bolt. ;D Congrats!!
Dana and supersniper congrats to you as well. Great scores!! :D
~SS
zercool,
rifleman with a bolt gun, i am in awe. you and savage are incredible!
coly
Day 2 went even better! Weather was better for shooting (not a cloud in the sky, gentle breezes, 75-78F), although a bit tough on the skin even with sunscreen.
I'll write up a full AAR tomorrow sometime, but suffice it to say I managed a 221 and 226 today, still using the bolt gun.
Also kept pace with (and sometimes ahead of) the auto shooters when doing cadence drill. 10 rounds in 20 second from a bolt gun? Oh yeah, baby! (I'll get out the calipers to measure, but I think it ended up a 2.5-3" group, even though we were told groups didn't matter for cadence drill. The 60 second drill kept all ten to an inch.)
Great weather and an exellent set up. Thanks again to our hosts.
I can not say enough about the instructors.
It was a well done flow of information and shooting time and I learned alot from them.
Still a cook, but don't get use to my entres.
When Atticus read John Adams posterity quote my eyes teared and goosepimples ran down my back. To Nickle, Atticus and Kdan I offer you another Adams quote; "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.".
If this is the caliber of men and woman Appleseed is turning out there is hope yet.
Ed
Picked up a nice thread over at THR as well:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=366360&highlight=Appleseed
hawkhavn
Alright, as promised, a more in-depth AAR now that I have some time. I may have some things slightly out of order because the days went fast and I didn't keep real close track.
Instructors were Atticus and Nickle, with IIT KDan doing quite a bit of the teaching.
This was my first Appleseed, along with my friend Greg and Aran. We arrived a tad later than planned, and people were still setting things up, doing check-in, shaking hands, and generally enjoying a nice spring morning. Chilly, but nice.
I didn't count shooters, but I'd guess there were 25 of us or so. Gathered around for a safety briefing, collected our chamber flags, set up shooting stations, laid out rifles, and started the morning off with a pair of Redcoats. I don't think anyone cleared it, although a few came close. Switched to 1" squares for group and sight adjustment, and shot four groups there. From the few I looked at, people were tightening their groups up already as the squares went along.
After the squares, did some instruction in technique and sling use, had some lunch, enjoyed some history, and back to shooting. Shot an M16 sighting target and really got things dialed in, went through Talking Targets, a touch more history. Discussed positions, with demonstrations from KDan and Atticus. Shot a couple Classification AQTs and talked about cadence briefly. After the Classifiers, we talked about the RapidAQT and set up to shoot. (Hm... somewhere in there we did Ball-and-dummy, and NPOA but darned if I know when.)
First RapidAQT went decent - no one cleared Rifleman, but sounded like a couple were knocking on it already. (Yes, myself included.) Changed targets and shot another Rapid right away. I set down my rifle and just had "that feeling". Pulled the target and started counting, and came up with a 218! Had Nickle check my target, and he dinged me five points (six shots into a sitting target), but found three more (thumb over a hole in the standing target!)... Anyways, the circled number on that target ended up at 212. And yes, it was shot with a Savage .22 bolt-action with a scope, shooting Federal Bulk Pack from WalMart. Don't let anyone tell you that equipment makes or breaks a shooter - ask Carlos Hathcock or Vasily Zaitsev - and remember that the best gun in the world will never be more accurate than the Rifleman holding it.
Due to family commitments we had to scoot out early, before the third RapidAQT for the day. Aran and Greg were both shooting consistently in the 180-190 range, but we just didn't have time for them to shoot one more.
As we were packing up our stuff to head out, one more RapidAQT went through, and I believe two more patches went out - supersniper and one other? In any case, we headed home, sunburned and exhausted, and thoroughly pleased with the day.
Weather for Saturday was ... odd. Temperature was good, mid-sixties, partly sunny, which was very nice. Unfortunately, the wind was brutal, bouncing the target lines up and down a couple inches, and even going down once. At least a few shots of mine were blown a couple inches by stray gusts - not so healthy for the scoring.
Sunday morning I got up and started getting ready to head out - solo, since my partners in crime had decided to only shoot one day. My fiancee Becky poked her head out from the covers and asked if she could come along too. Well, duh! We headed back on down the road and got there early on what was promising to be a HOT day already.
Becky borrowed a Mannlicher 10/22 w/ scope from Nickle, and I started the day with my Mini-14. After a couple of Redcoats and some 1" squares, I put the Mini-14 back in the case and went back to the bolt 22 - the Mini was spraying (although I contributed to that some, I'm sure) and I didn't feel like dialing in the scope any more right then.
Did some more position instruction, some Ball-and-dummy on 1" squares, a couple RapidAQTs, went over NPOA some more, and then a stop for lunch. After lunch we got sights dialed in for those that needed to, then did some rapid fire drill: 10 shots in 60 seconds. 10 shots in 45 seconds. 10 shots in 30 seconds. (Nickle told us the bolt guns might not be able to do this. I beg to differ.) 10 shots in 20 seconds. (Yeah, I made this one too, just barely, although the group wasn't pretty.) After that, it was RapidAQTs. The grind was on. Several more people earned their patches (our host's wife earned hers, a National Guard (?) sergeant, and at least one more went out), and the grind went on. My morning scores were down in the 190-200 range, but afternoon saw them coming back up, with a 226 and 221. Around 4:30 Becky and I had decided we were worn out - sunburned even more, exhausted, sweaty, dirty, and happy. There were a few more AQTs done, I'm sure, and there was word that a long-range course of fire was available to anyone who wanted it. Supersniper brought a big-bore, but that didn't come out while we were there. Ah well!
Becky's scores were coming up as the day went on, and I think I'm going to have to find her a Mannlicher 10/22 before too awful long. I have to give her a lot of credit, though - she's only been shooting twice before: once with my bolt .17 and a round of trap with a 20ga, and she was shooting consistent 150-160s with a high of 186. If she'd made the Saturday shoot, I think she just might have made Rifleman by the end of Sunday.
Sunday's weather was, indeed, hot. Sunny cloudless skies, upper 70s, and just a hint of breeze now and then. Good shooting weather, but the shade of the tents at lunchtime was a welcome respite.
Equipment wise, lest I forget: quite a few 10/22s, several AR's, an AKlone (WASR-10, I think), a couple SKS, a couple M1As, at least one Mini-14, a couple bolt .22s, a bolt .17, and one maniac shooting a .270Win bolt action - I was amazed at both his grouping and his rate of fire. I can't shoot my .270 that fast, nor would I want to burn 300-400 rounds of .270 in two days time. That's dedication.
Nothing but kudos to our instructors: I have never received instruction of that quality before.
Tremendous thanks to our hosts, Imker and his wife Gail. Your generosity made the weekend possible.
And, last but certainly not least, thanks to my fellow Appleseeder's - I can't recall the last time I met such a friendly encouraging group. The abundance of energy and positive attitudes made the weekend what it was.
Thanks to all, and hopefully I'll see folks at Throop in July!
Brian pretty well covered it, so all I need is to add the statistics plus a little extra.
By the way, we did the ball and dummy just before doing the zero exercise.
We gained 4 more on Sunday, for a total of 27.
We got 5 more Riflemen on Sunday, and for a change, I have to mention that I am a traditionalist, not PC, language wise, as one of them was a lady.
Craig, a NY Army Guard Sergeant, 215, with a Ruger 10/22.
Gail (Imker's wife, and our host), 215, with an AR-15. She battled rifle problems all weekend, but persevered.
Vic was a Sunday only shooter that was brought by KodyJaret, and he was shooting numerous Rifleman scores all day with a 10/22, the highest was 226.
Peter shot a 213 with a 10/22 on the last couple of Rapid Fire AQT's, after using a scoped .270 bolt gun (4 round mag) all weekend. Try 40 rounds with NINE mag changes. His problem was completing it in 4 minutes, not getting hits. The 10/22 was graciously loaned by Ron, Imker's neighbor, who was on the line next to Peter.
And, saving the best for last, Dave shot EXACTLY a 210, and got a dose of North Bridge water from his family and I. Yes, Dave and Kathy are family Appleseeders, and they brought Anders (12) and Eric (10). The lads were very mature, and fine Appleseeders. Brian needs to be careful, as Anders is about as fast as he is (maybe faster), with a bolt gun.
We had several family groups, including a group of 4 from New York City. Fine people all, as usual for an Appleseed.
Imker, Ron and SuperSniper had some fine entertainment after we closed out, and if you missed it, well, you missed it. I will say that blueskys now wants a .50 BMG upper for her AR I'm building for her. She wished her shoulder wasn't bothering, as she did want to shoot that.
I'll wrap it up with a big thank you to the shooters, and a bigger thank you to our hosts, Imker and Gail with a special thank you to Ron, who set everything up before we got there Friday. You folks are special, and I do mean that.
Anders has younger hands! Of course he's faster! ;)
I'd love to see him shooting faster and better than I do - he and his brother are the next generation of Riflemen.
Edited to add:
Becky was much impressed by the quality of instruction, and in her words, "the structure helped a lot."
I have to give a huge thank-you to the instructors. We did have one accidental discharge on the line Sunday, and while they were very quick to be Right There, there was no screaming or hollering - just a fast evaluation of what went wrong, how to avoid it, and a better way to do it in the future.
Nickle, you said it a couple times and it didn't really strike me until I got home Sunday night how true it was: you pour in information FAST. I have always considered myself a halfway decent marksman, but now I know how much I have left to learn. I'm still feeling like I left something out from my recap!
I'm glad to hear that other were able to earn their patches after I had to leave. I had a great time this weekend, sunburn and all. After reading the newest posts in this thread I see that my highroad thread was a bit off in some of the info but still gets the spirit of the weekend. How did the Tanerite and the .50 shooting go? I really wanted to be able to stay for all that, after my time with the Ma Duce I love that .50 cal round but I was able to make it back to Fredonia safe and sound without seeing one cop the entire 200+ miles of my travel. I will put the word out with the guys in my unit and see how many make it to the Throup shoot, if we don't have drill that weekend. I have the same screen name on the highroad, snipershide, AR15.com, M1911 forum, and a few others that I really don't check anymore, it is also my aim screen name.
Craig
Thanks to everyone who helped make this Appleseed such a success. I am writing on behalf of the boys, who are asleep, and Dave, who is trying to figure out what type of battlefield rifle I should have, so I too can enjoy popping those 600 yd targets. What an optimist, eh? Anyway, we all learned a lot and appreciate the dedication and knowledge of all the instructors. Russ, you have the patience of Job. Anders was proud to announce that the 50 BMG "hardly kicked at all". Quite a thrill for a 12 yr old boy. Thank you John. We are all looking forward to out next shoot. Immediately, however, we are going to Williamsburg. Anybody know of any "must see" things for a family of patriots? Thanks again and we'll see you at the range. Kathy, Dave, Anders and Eric
Kathy, glad to see you, Dave and the lads made it on here. I see he chose an appropriate user name, seeing that he got a healthy dose of that water.
The boys were a pure pleasure to have, they are up and coming men that know what they are about, for sure. Take pride that the 2 of you are doing an awesome job raising them right.
A "must see" for Patriots has got to be Lexington and Concord, in Massachussetts.
Other places would be any Revolutionary War Battlefield site, and we do have Appleseeds coming up that would be good choices, as they are near such sites. Proctor and Bennington come to mind, as well as most any Massachussetts Appleseed, and I'm sure there are some down South as well. The Southern contingent here could make recommendations. I'm sure Fred will chime in with a selection of choices, and those will be good ones.
Pics are now downloaded.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v634/refarnsworth/Appleseed/Van%20Etten%20May%2008/ (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v634/refarnsworth/Appleseed/Van%20Etten%20May%2008/)
Here's Dave (northbridgewater) getting dunked with, North Bridge Water (of course).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/refarnsworth/Appleseed/Van%20Etten%20May%2008/049.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/refarnsworth/Appleseed/Van%20Etten%20May%2008/050.jpg)
Our hosts, Gail and Alan (Imker). Gail shot Rifleman this year.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/refarnsworth/Appleseed/Van%20Etten%20May%2008/045.jpg)
The rest are at that link listed. Take a few moments, and go visit it and check the pics.
I wish to express my appreciation to all who were involved in this past weekends Appleseed shoot in Van Etten, NY.
To the instructors and staff, Nickle, Articus, KDan and Cheryl, who gave up their holiday weekend to teach others the skills and values of marksmanship. I know from experience that this requires a great deal of time and effort to put on such an event.
To our hosts, Alan and Gail, thank you for allowing us the use of your land and for your graciousness when dealing with all those involved. I look forward to returning next year and assisting a new crop of Riflemen on their way.
Last but not least, to all the shooters, Thank you for taking the time to attend this training and learning how to be better marksman. Attaining Rifleman status is not an easy chore but you now have the skills and tools needed to reach that goal with persistance and practice.
I'm glad that some of you who had the opportunity to shoot the 50BMG rifle.
I hope to be able to bring it back again next year for an encore.
Take care and shoot straight,
Supersniper
(Jim)
Nickle, thanks for getting those pictures posted! I took a few quick ones here and there, but I spent too much time with a rifle in my hands to pick up the camera much... I'll see how they came out and put 'em up.
Thanks Nickle for posting those pictures. They definitely captured the moment! While we were south this weekend we visited Yorktown. Important piece of Revolutionary War history worth seeing. Recommend it. And an interesting thing we learned at the Williamsburg armory: The Governor seized the contents of the armory around the 3rd week of April, 1775...........hmmmm......something sound familiar? What a busy month that was. The guide said the keeper of the key held onto it for a day after being instructed to hand it over, but then reluctantly gave it up. I was hoping to hear that the Patriots cleared the arms out in that time, but that was not the case. They have a nice collection there now. I'll try to post a picture.