This was our 5th year anniversary shoot for Project Applesed's very first event in New Mexico
which was held here at the NRAWC.
Thanks to the shooters, my instructor crew and the NRA WC staff for making this one of the main events!
As always it was a great event at the most beautiful range in the country. 16 shooters showed up well before 8:30 so we got off to an early start. We even did some KD at the end of the day!
The crisp cool fall morning air gave way to warm days in the 70's with very little wind. It was an awesome group and a very diverse group of shooters from all walks of life; much like the colonials who birthed a new nation on April 19th, 1775.
The shooters came form Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton and Boulder.
It was an honor to work with such fine Americans and our 3 man crew was well honed after doing shoots here since 2008.
Here BlueFeather (Gill) greets the shooters and tells them what to expect in the next 2 days. Then Tom (twh731) goes right into the safety briefing.
(http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6783/14845008.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/196/14845008.jpg/)
BlueFeather/Gill explains the Redcoat Target. 13 rounds, one for each colony. This is the first target shot at an Appleseed. It answers that eternal question, "what is my effective range". Right out of the hole shooters discover if they can qualify at 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards reduced scale targets.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img267/562/bfredcoat.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/bfredcoat.jpg/)
Instruction with Tom and Gill.
(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3341/42035095.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/42035095.jpg/)
Prone position.
(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3756/58429288.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/58429288.jpg/)
(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1476/19218580.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/19218580.jpg/)
...more to come!
If your rifle has no sling studs we can still put a sling on it. A Rifleman always adapts, persists and overcomes any shortcomings.
(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/9324/39875818.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/39875818.jpg/)
More prone pics.
(http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/8870/84267790.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/84267790.jpg/)
(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7320/29393457.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/29393457.jpg/)
(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3728/80608043.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/145/80608043.jpg/)
Look at all that brass!
(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3944/13ab.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/13ab.jpg/)
...more to come..
Gill does IMC. Tom assists.
(http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4898/47880208.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/47880208.jpg/)
Seated position.
(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2029/31991496.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/31991496.jpg/)
(http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9506/12527916.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/100/12527916.jpg/)
Standing position.
(http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3562/18641684.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/17/18641684.jpg/)
This is very beautiful scenery for an Appleseed!
These shooters are learning the fundamentals of precision marksmanship at 25 yards.
The farthest target in this pic is 570 yards. That will be shot on day 2 during our long distance component!
(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4383/75510685.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/688/75510685.jpg/)
Stand tall like an American! These shooters do it in spades!
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7448/81450115.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/255/81450115.jpg/)
...more to come!
Day 2 starts with the students leading the reviews. Here Caleb and Serg demo the positional check points for the prone position.
(http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/1499/42105660.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/42105660.jpg/)
This Nation was birthed on the principles of effective marksmanship on April 19th, 1775.
It all started at the North Bridge of Concord where our effective marksmanship caused the British Regulars to turn tail and run.
These flags fly proudly in the breeze and serve to remind us of the blood shed so we can be a Nation of free men and women.
(http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2661/67919728.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/521/67919728.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img834/5224/img0457ys.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/img0457ys.jpg/)
The Founders fought a bloody Revolutionary War according to the principles of the American Revolution.
They gave us a Second Amendement and a second chance to to avoid what they went thru.
We are the owners of this Nation and they they gave us the keys to run it.
This was thru the concept of our elected reps in a Constitutional /Representative Republic. Unlike Americans today, they cared about their posterity-the generations to follow.
John Adams so eloquently made it clear the Founders compassion for future generations when he stated:
"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom!
I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it."
May this rifle serve as one of the many reminders of the many type of "Pains" required to birth a new Nation.
(http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/8417/52375567.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/52375567.jpg/)
Past meets present.
Heritage and marksmanship combined. What Project Applesed is all about.
Come to one and find out for yourself!
(http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7645/54973879.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/54973879.jpg/)
Below are tools of the Rifleman. Remember, a Rifleman's duty to his country is more than just marksmanship skills.
(http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7211/62455887.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/62455887.jpg/)
These same principles of "effective marksmanship" are taught today and have been altered but slightly to accommodate the advance in rifle technology.
"All of our firearms freedoms, our liberties, the bench-rest hobby sports, sport shooting and firearms collecting exist by virtue of the battle rifle, not vice versa!"-BTP
...more to come!
Awesome travelogue Dan. Thank you everyone who came and worked so hard: everyone improved!
Thank you also Dan and Tom for bringing your personal center-fire rifles and ammo to share with our students so they could shoot to 500+ yards, thus proving that what works at 25 meters, works out at distance. Our instructors go beyond the call.
We hope to see you all again on the Appleseed trail!
Dan, thanks for the pics. As always the Whittington Center never ceases to amaze me. The staff there and the beauty of such scenery and wildlife are just truly awesome. Anyone who gets to attend an AS at the Whit is lucky indeed. We had to wait for turkeys (the fowl kind) and the mandatory visit by the mule deer are always expected. This past AS was not, however, interupted with wildlife like normal. They were nice enough to do their visiting in the early AM hours. There was even a bear which appeared and disappeared just before I arrived on Friday to help set up the range.
Our students at this past AS were a perfect example of people eager and willing to learn, forget about their pre-existing habits and experience the fine art of the rifleman. And boy, the improvements I saw throughout the weekend were truly inspiring. I hope to see them all back again next Feb. As always it was my pleasure and honor to work with TaosGlock and Bluefeather. Their passion and dedication to this program and to the patriotic spirit of the birth of our country is beyond words and needs to be experienced first hand. Thank you for your hard work and high-fives all around for a wonderful AS to round out the year here in northern NM. Tom
By day 2 we were on to the shooting of the AQT's (Army Qualification Test) and we got one Rifleman!
The AQT is the penultimate marksmanship test and with historical use back to the 40's.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img818/8681/img1081xo.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/818/img1081xo.jpg/)
Congrats Caleb who shot well into the 220's! Caleb will be joining the ranks of our prestigious instructors soon!
Remember, "learn today, teach tomorrow!
At an Appleseed you learn the skills which were so common in America at her birth, and then you can pass them on to your children.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img441/6961/44952428.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/441/44952428.jpg/)
Appleseed has seen over 40,000 folks on it's firing lines nationwide this year and has grown it's instructor ranks to well over 1000 now thanks to the hard work and dedication of all of our volunteers and the shooters who spread our message: Heritage and Marksmanship.
Thanks to all of you!
In memory of our Founders who also recruited for the local cause of liberty, I offer you this historical pic:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img255/7586/83348931.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/255/83348931.jpg/)
As always, we honor the Founders.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img42/9083/img0915yt.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/img0915yt.jpg/)
...more to come!
Odd. It all looks so familiar???
^-^
Quote from: PHenry on September 14, 2012, 01:25:50 PM
Odd. It all looks so familiar??? ^-^
Here is one for posterity PH. Sept 08. The first 'NRAWC AS Shoot'! The very first New Mexico AS shoot!
(http://imageshack.us/a/img402/3807/56392702.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/56392702.jpg/)
ashrn03 instructs while you Vanna in a hat that is much to red. ;D
BlueFeather (coral shirt) and twh31 (AS tee) are to the left.
An American Rifleman can shoot out to 500 yards and this tradition only requires a rack grade rifle, standard ammo and open sights.
We prove it yearly with the M1 Garand's, M1A's, AR's, 1903's, SKS/AK's etc. A few shooters even did it with their 30-30's!
Nearly any centerfire rifle will do once you have the fundamentals under your belt.
At a NRAWC Appleseed, you will have the opportunity to see first hand that you too are a born Rifleman!
Our 2 day program starts with learning the fundamentals of precision marksmanship at 25 yards.
We end day 2 with shooting out to 500 yards or what we refer to as the 'Rifleman's Quarter Mile'.
We clearly prove, what works at 25 works at 500.
We will offer two 3 day Full Distance Rifleman's Clinics next year. May 17-19 and Sept. 13-15. Bring your centerfire!
This 2 day event gives but a hint of what that course will involve.
Note: If you just can't wait for next year, and you shouldn't, we will do a 3 Day FDRC in Gunnison, CO on Sept. 29, 30 and Oct 1.
Info and register below. Just in time for awesome fall colors in Colorado's hi country and before the snow flies. Don't miss it!
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=31396.0
Long distance shooting is Project Appleseed's raison d'être in regards to the marksmanship component.
You will have the opportunity to experience for yourself exactly what your forefathers knew, and that is: Americans' are Riflemen.
Our Nation was birthed on the principles of effective marksmanship. With their smoothbore muskets, their Rifleman's Quarter Mile was but 75 yards.
Here is the 500 yard 4MOA plate. It sees lots of hits!
(http://imageshack.us/a/img819/6383/img7697ux.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/img7697ux.jpg/)
Tools of the Rifleman and lots of ammo!
(http://imageshack.us/a/img853/5408/39959241.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/39959241.jpg/)
Spotters and shooters take on the 500, 700, 800 and 900 yard targets.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img846/6779/36172171.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/36172171.jpg/)
A 30-30 and an M1 Garand side by side on the 300 and 500 yard steel shoot!
(http://imageshack.us/a/img525/6681/61274943.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/525/61274943.jpg/)
Our instructors shoot alongside the students! Here twh31 hammers the 900 yard 4x3 MOA target with his M1 Garand.
Quick! How many inches is that?
Learn 'Inches, Minutes and Clicks' and how it relates to sighting in your rifle and making necessary adjustments to hit targets at various distances.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img594/2285/23104532.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/23104532.jpg/)
A pic back towards the firing line, the red roof area in the distance, from the 900 yard target!
(http://imageshack.us/a/img580/4854/32261330.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/32261330.jpg/)
The 700 yard target..with hits! It gets re-painted frequently.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img13/5619/700yd.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/700yd.jpg/)
...more to come.
The NRA Whittington Center - the range by which all others are judged - at least for me!
All shooters who simply attend an Appleseed are awarded a certificate from the CMP to purchase an M1 Garand: The rifle by which all others are judged. We have one of the few courses of fire approved by the CMP!
The Garand is the rifle that maintained our freedoms back in the 20th century.
And a rifle that makes efective hits on the NRAWC's 1123 yard (1000M) White Buffalo!
Current prices are about $550 delivered to your door! Compare that to the $900 average retail!
Here are some Project Appleseed shooters wringing out their Garands.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img694/8180/wc2f.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/wc2f.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img651/3925/32834633.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/32834633.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img690/5782/pict0137o.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/pict0137o.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img145/8576/evem1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/145/evem1.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img801/7089/img6329g.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/801/img6329g.jpg/)
The M1 Garand is one of the fastest loading battle rifles, due in part to it's en bloc clip.
(Thanks to Oleg Volk (http://www.olegvolk.net/) for these last 2 pics! :bow: :bow:
He is a huge supporter of Project Appleseed! O0)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img507/9034/garandenbloc0167web.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/garandenbloc0167web.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img845/428/garandping8612.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/garandping8612.jpg/)
We finally wrap up the year at the NRAWC. The range is closed for the trophy hunts from Oct-Jan.
The snow will soon fly and blanket the range in a soft peaceful covering.
Speaking of winter, be sure and check out our next shoot in Feb. 2013 here at the NRAWC!
BlueFeather/Gill closes the gate for the final Project Appleseed event.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img94/4544/43211195.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/43211195.jpg/)
The one and only NRA Whittington Center:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img194/2879/17134299.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/17134299.jpg/)
Along the historic Santa Fe Trail:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img825/5483/img7693r.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/img7693r.jpg/)
Where the deer and the antelope roam:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img10/4338/28akk.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/10/28akk.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img440/5049/70652741.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/70652741.jpg/)
And the elk:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img687/4627/34984335.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/34984335.jpg/)
The final sunset, with a statue of the likeness of Charleston Heston, near the entrance and sitting atop a horse.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img717/9348/img7177ho.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/img7177ho.jpg/)
Again, we thank our Founders for making the sacrifices to birth our Nation.
This is a debt we can never repay.
Our 2013 schedule Project Appleseed for the NRAWC is:
Feb 16-17
April 20-21
May 17-19-3 Day Full Distance Centerfire Rifleman's Camp
Aug 24-25
Sept 13-15-3 Day Full Distance Centerfire Rifleman's Camp
Man that sounds good. KD with purple mountains majesty as a backstop. TG & BF as instructors - does it git any better than that? I don't think so! I'm tempted to sign up as a student and attend incognito. ^-^
Too red? Yes, well it were brand new that very day - handed to me by Attitcus, who had "petitioned" Fred for it in a most persistent manner. No PCs then, so no tellin' when u might see one. All done on a nod. No orange hats either. I can recall DonD wearing a pink hat at my second event as a protest thereof!
Ya'll are doing great things out there - keep up the good work. O0
We will save you a space PH!
Now I'm off to Gunnison, CO for a 3 day RBC! O0 :~