This was my first shoot as SBIT and it had a few challenges. We had 21 shooters anxious to become riflemen (and women). Seven were 15 and under, four were 10 and under. That's a lot of kids. Luckily the ever-ready Tomblin checked the roster the night before, saw seven new regs, and drove down to give us a hand. The man is a gentleman, a scholar, and a patriot!
So for Saturday we were pretty well staffed -- Shoot Boss Bill o Rites, Nomadichillbilly, HeidiHeidi, Blue Hat Mike Cole, Tomblin and myself. But two instructors were tied up at all times with the kids.
Had a bunch of minor safety issues, mostly with the kids -- roaming muzzles, shooting early, shooting late. No ADs, no bullets over the berm, no issues with live guns, but still... we all had a few extra gray hairs by the end of the day.
HeidiHeidi came up with an idea that worked really well -- she suggested that we use some little bench-like stools that we have on the range as rests for the littlest ones. The barrel rested on the stretcher below the seat, so that the barrel was boxed in by the frame of the stool. It did an excellent job of controlling wandering muzzles.
We also had out first real test out of a little gadget I made that BilloRites thought up -- a little leather strap that enables you to instantly and securely mount a loop sling to the front of a rifle that does not have a sling swivel. Made four of em up and they seemed to work out real well.
We had four shooters score rifleman and a few others are knocking on the door (we hear you knockin' Guntuckian <g>)
We added a blue hat and an orange hat to our ranks. Huzzah!
And one of these days a certain pint-sized riflewoman is gonna be sporting an orange hat.
Something about this range and the people, I have my suspicions as to what they are, but I absolutely adore the place.
Looking at a pre-reg list to a shoot with 20+ shooters, who wouldn't want to be there!
(http://tomblins.com/AS_RANDOM/IMAG2441.jpg)
What a sight, given the tough conditions lately...
(http://tomblins.com/AS_RANDOM/IMAG2443.jpg)
IMC done right, puts a smile on Heidi's face...
(http://tomblins.com/AS_RANDOM/IMAG2445.jpg)
History, told from the heart and with conviction...
(http://tomblins.com/AS_RANDOM/IMAG2446.jpg)
Look forward to seeing everyone again in December!
Rose, you look of age for that hat ;).