The Georgia Mountain Shooting Association was extremely accommodating as always and allowed us to come in Friday to set up and allow an early start the next day. Saturday we began with a very auspicious number of shooters, 13; and all eager to hear the message and with teachable attitudes. Just an extremely good group of Patriots. It was pretty darn cold for this southern boy and we had 30mph gusts of wind all day as well. These were no summer soldiers or sunshine patriots that turned out. These were stalwart individuals to turn out on such a day.
After the Welcome and the Safety briefing, rifles were retrieved. Guitarzan blessed us with a great little bit of history about Daniel Morgan and his company of Riflemen. Then, Redcoats were engaged and dealt with. Groups were looking good already and we had 2 shooters even clean their targets. Huzzah! Good job Terry and John! :bow: Next, the fire hose of instruction was cut on as we began with Sling use and the prone position. Instruction was quickly moved along and with almost 1 on 1 coverage we moved to troubleshooting on the line. With such good coverage we were able to proceed pretty quickly and by the time lunch rolled around everyone was ready for a break.
We retreated to the clubhouse, warmth and wonder of wonders hot chili and cocoa thanks to Morpheus's family. Just the thing to take the cold out of our bones. It felt very familial as we all chowed down and listened to beautiful and stirring renditions of the first and second strikes of the match. Fueled up and warmed up it was back to the firing line for more instruction and marksmanship.
We were able to get in 2 AQTs before the final redcoat. When all was done we saw 2 new Riflemen! Lance M. turned in a 220 and Brian G. shot a 221! :--- Huzzah gentlemen! John T. also returned to re-qualify with a 241! :bow:
Morpheus blessed us with the words of Patrick Henry's powerful speech, "Give me Liberty, or give me death". Once tears were wiped away, awards were given out and John T. decided to further impress us by taking on an Orange Hat. Thank you sir! ^:)^
SUNDAY
Sunday, we gratefully began our review inside. The GMSA range does not allow shooting before noon so, we used our time wisely and plowed through it all. And even finished discussing Full Distance shooting, all before lunch. Somehow, the time monkey was nowhere to be seen! We had our lunch inside again and listened to some Dangerous Old Men stories tag-teamed by the instructor cadre.
By 12:15 we were on the line shooting redcoats. Next, we moved into some Ball and Dummy as the shooters paired up. After that it was time for AQTs. Red Niva was able to take a few moments to squeeze out a re-qualifying score with her center-fire. After a couple of those, we opened up the long distance range to those shooters that wanted to do so. Several decided to do so and after getting their come ups, engaged steel targets at 100, 200 and 300 yards. We could hear the steel ringing all the way on the other line where the AQT Grind was in full swing. In fact, I am not sure how many we even did as much to the shooters delight we did several Quick and Dirty AQTs. One of those Q&D AQT's showed us another Riflemen, Terry R .with a 210! Huzzah! :) And a re-qualifying score by Fabricator.
We closed out the day with Morpheus doing a fantastic reading of The Declaration of Independence. Then it was time for Terry's anointment in the waters from beneath the North Bridge. Going above and beyond as he is known to do, Morpheus brought forth actual water from beneath the North Bridge! After that, pretty much everyone stayed to help clean up (Thank you!) and thus began the hardest part about these weekends. The good byes.
I hope to see all of you on the trail again soon! Those who didn't shoot Rifleman, dry fire, dry fire and dry fire. Remember perfect practice makes perfect. Each of you has what it takes to get that patch!
Please feel free to comment and post any pictures from the weekend. I'll post my pictures later as well.
In Liberty,
Roswell
Saturday morning the Redcoats were looming
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2674.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2674.jpg.html)
Thankfully, they were no match for our stalwart patriots.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2673.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2673.jpg.html)
Below: DrJohn instructs NPOA with the help of Cipher
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2677.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2677.jpg.html)
The students really brought great teachable attitudes. Here they are below as Guitarzan instructs Talking Targets and IMC.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2680.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2680.jpg.html)
Inside for chili and the first 2 strikes.
Guitarzan with Strike 1
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2681.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2681.jpg.html)
Fabricator telling Strike 2
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2682.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2682.jpg.html)
Then back to the line for more instruction and marksmanship. :---
Jambo hurrying to a shooter's aid.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2683.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2683.jpg.html)
After an afternoon break, it was AQT time.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2686.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2686.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2687.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2687.jpg.html)
Morpheus closed us out with a great rendition of the Patrick Henry speech that he does so well.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2688.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2688.jpg.html)
John "flytz" getting his orange hat
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2693.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2693.jpg.html)
Brian G. getting his patch
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2696.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2696.jpg.html)
Lance M. getting his patch.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2697.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2697.jpg.html)
Not too many pictures from Sunday which is a shame as it was an even prettier day.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2704.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2704.jpg.html)
Morpheus once again closed us out. This time with a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2707.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20Project%20Appleseed%20November%201-2%202014/IMG_2707.jpg.html)
As per usual, it was a great weekend at the GMSA Range in Toccoa GA. Although I was listed as the SB for this event I had very little to do in my normal Shoot Boss capacities as Roswell performed admirably in his 2nd SBit (shoot boss in training) event. Well done, sir! Things were run safely and smoothly and the shooters appeared to enjoy this weekend about as much as the rest of the instructors.
The wind on Saturday tried to carry off a couple mats with rifles on them. Also, our target line needed a little extra attention to keep it in place but the shooters overcame the chilly start and blowing dirt and showed remarkable fortitude in applying the newly learned Steady Hold Factors, Six Steps of Firing the Shot and NPOA. We saw some consistently shrinking group sizes all day, and that is payment enough for this volunteer. O0
On Sunday afternoon I brought some of the shooters to the long range area to see if what works at 25m really can work at 100y, 200y and 300y. The 20" steel plates were ringing repeatedly at the 200y and 300y berms. It is also notable that our new rifleman, Brian G. brought his .22 to the long distance line (using standard velocity ammo) and after doping his scope he was able to hit the 300y steel 8 times out of 10!! :bow:
Congratulations to the new riflemen and to our new OH! Huzzah!! We hope to see everyone again soon, and bring your friends!! We should have the schedule for 2015 up soon for the GMSA Range with a special April 19 event being scheduled here as well! Please check back often and make plans to attend. Lady Liberty needs a champion. Will you be a champion for Liberty?
My thanks to all who attended, shooters and instructors alike. This is a most excellent way to spend a weekend.
Morpheus
This is Jason from SC. This weekend was my first Appleseed event. I have to say it was one of the best weekends of instruction and comraderie I have ever experienced. I would like to thank the instructors for volenteering their time and patience. And I would like to thank Fabricator for loaning me his awesome .22 rifle for the weekend due to mine being more or less combat ineffective. I look forward to many more Appleseed events in the future.
Jason,
It was good to meet you and your Dad; I hope to see you at another event! Regarding the rifle, many of us bring loaner rifles for just an occasion such as this; I am glad it received some use!
Best regards,
Fabricator