What a great weekend, and a great group of shooters!!
Saturday morning started with 11 shooters at the Egyptian Rifle and Pistol Club. The weather was a little rainy and cold, but improved as the day went on. We began the morning with all the necessary discussions, such as safety rules, heard Strike 1 from RiflesnReins, then headed out to the firing line!
The initial Redcoat target was pretty good, but there was room for improvement. Every shooter came with a great attitude, was ready to learn, and listened intently to all instruction. After some dry practice (without the distraction of live fire) of the 6 Steps and NPOA, we fired at the first square. Everyone did great, and shot great groups-and that truely was everyone. There was not one bad group in the entire bunch!! The second square looked even better with tighter groups!
So, after shooting only 2 squares, we were ready for IMC. I have never seen a group of shooters do so well that after only 2 squares it was time for IMC.
We had lunch followed by a presentation of Strike 2 by RiflesnReins, and then an IMC discussion. When we went back to the line, the shooters had sight adjustments made in 3-4 squares, and was ready to move on! We had a few more drills and Srike 3 by Mutti, and then shot our first AQT. This resulted in a re-qualifying score of 226. This was a yound lady, 18 years old, who had attended only 1 other Appleseed and scored a 225 there. I do not believe she had handled a rifle much before that, so good job, Morgan! We also had several scores above 170. We ended the day with another Redcoat, where significant improvement was seen.
Sunday morning brought better weather, and 4 more shooters! We started with some reviews, moved on to Ball and Dummy, then began the AQT grind. The day had significant improvement. Randy re-qualified with his centerfire at a score of 212, then Jeff scored a 215 followed by a score of 220. After lunch Mike scored a 215, Cianan (Goosegun) scored a 215, and Roger scored 212.
We teach that a Rifleman persists, so I would like to share a little about Goosegun. His mother and 1 sister are Red hats, and his other sister is a new Orange hat. He is 10 years old and this was his 17th Appleseed to attend and attempt to score Rifleman. He finally did it!! I'm not sure I have ever seen anyone so excited about that score, to the point that watching his reaction to his score put tears in my eyes. If that isn't an example of persistance, I don't know what is. I'm sure that new patch looks great on his jacket!!!
2 of the shooters who scored Rifleman chose to go to the longer ranges while the others continued AQT's.
KDCat, JPL, and Mutti did a great job on DOM.
RiflesnReins did a fantastic job and was awarded her Red hat ^:)^ , and Morgan accepted an Orange Hat ^:)^
As always, we had a fantastic group of instructors who was ready to help the entire weekend.
To everyone: It was so great to see some familiar faces, but also meeting new Appleseeders. I hope to see everyone again, especially because I am convinced that those who did not score Rifleman this time will the next. Just keep on practicing those 6 Steps and getting NPOA!! Dry fire practice at home! And, I'm sure some of you will hear me telling you to "Squeeze that trigger and hold it Back!!"
Leslie
Thanks to all the RWVA volunteers who ran this. I am hooked! I'm going to try to make this an annual trip, if I can wait a whole year for another Appleseed!
---Jeff
Here are a few pictures from Marion.
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212343338537&l=8f983ba565)
Shooting squares
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212343978553&l=a433702928)
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212343498541&l=9e579978fe)
Morgan nails it again...... later she requalifies
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212343618544&l=7fb85061fd)
Morgan takes her Orange hat!
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212344018554&l=f186594663)
KD Cat
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212343258535&l=884fbe23a0)
Liberator Pistol
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202212344218559&l=960aae2167)
He keeps trying....
Thank you for the photos! Our OS is currently on Strike, so it was very nice to a few. See ya' on the Trail!
Mutti
Not seeing any pics.
Trying again
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/10449020905_1b42984786_b.jpg)
Princess-girt-done (Morgan) with new orange hat
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/10449001166_804a502e78_b.jpg)
Shooting squares
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/10449175203_c9e57bee73_b.jpg)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/10449175833_7e1094c930_b.jpg)
Morgan nails it again...... later she requalifies
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/10449175783_1d8c200b7b_b.jpg)
KD Cat
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/10449000856_3f4ed479c7_b.jpg)
Liberator Pistol
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/10448983854_4852c918b6_b.jpg)
JerryH keeps trying....maybe this weekend I will reach 210..Rifleman=kinda like trying to post these pictures - must keep trying.