This is Alabama and it's Patriots' Day.
There's a virus. We're still shooting.
There's a thunderstorm projected with tornados. We're still shooting.
There's a shoot boss who has no plan for the day. We're still shooting. Did you forget? This is Alabama and it's Patriots' Day.
It turned out to be one of the best days in my Appleseed career. Taking a hint from our friends in Florida, we met up at 11 o'clock at Hobbes Island Shooting Range. Your humble author and shoot boss is making things up as he goes. It's all IAO, all day. All hands on deck to set up two ranges - the 50m for AQTs and the KD range for steel. We zeroed a little bit and then shot some 22 rifles because we can't shoot centerfire before 1pm on Sunday. (Host range rules to respect the neighbors nearby.)
A few minutes after 1pm, we swapped to centerfire rifles for a couple more AQTs. More than half the group qualified, several of them with rifles new to them. One with a bolt action!
Then we moved to the KD range. The shoot boss, being a big meanie, forbade the shooters to change their sights from their 25m zero. The day was a lesson in employing battlesight zero. Shooting out to 380 yards with no sight adjustments. It was a heck of a lot of fun. Thanks to McAlligator for covering my line for a few minutes so the decrepit shoot boss could shoot ten rounds. Few things more satisifying that hearing that *THWACK* on steel.
The coolest thing of the day was Susan (MtnOakBz) shooting an AR15 for the first time. The rifle had iron sights and she was wearing out the 200 and 300 yard targets!
Of course, we shot the Memorial Volley ceremony at 3pm & issued out patches. I'm grateful the range owner, Don, joined us in shooting the Volley. He's a HUGE supporter of the program.
My thanks to all who joined us today. My own spirit has been pretty heavy lately and today was a big bowl of chicken soup for my soul. I hope each of you felt the same.
My Liberty Increase!
MO
Alabama's motto
(https://i.imgur.com/6GTBHFY.jpg)
Staging steel on Saturday
(https://i.imgur.com/GoTq0Vn.jpg)
Do you see that on the left? HISR range flies our flag even when it's not an AS weekend!
(https://i.imgur.com/sPXM1CV.jpg)
The private KD event in Alabama got cancelled earlier this month. The group was less than enthused and made a patch to commemorate it.
(https://i.imgur.com/uoth8B4.jpg)
Everyone pitches in.
(https://i.imgur.com/tAUk1UG.jpg)
Social distancing.
(https://i.imgur.com/lIjBV3r.jpg)
Zooming in at 380 yards.
(https://i.imgur.com/16D3mYv.jpg)
Recovering steel. That's a long haul in the marsh at 380 yards. Just saying.
(https://i.imgur.com/XWvtonf.jpg)
Social distancing, Part II.
(https://i.imgur.com/3KevseY.jpg)
God bless all of you! I would be envious, except...
My not yet healed fractured foot bone did not deter me from a pistol outing yesterday with Christa Clayton and Jeff to try out the new 5-Stage pistol targets.
Darn if Christa didn't almost qualify twice with a 206 and a 208, except for one shot at the 15 second call, she would have made it. She also gave me some great instruction on pistol grip and smooth mag changes. Of course, since there was no qualified pistol instructor there, it was just a practice run for her.
I have some work to do.
Looks like a great day in the Yellowhammer state. Those are some really good looking targets. O0
We had a fun day in Nashville at the Freedom Rally. I'll get the AAR up for it later. Liberty was definitely in the air.
Wreck
It was AWESOME!!
Thank you!
Absolutely a great day. Thank you for setting it up, bringing the steel out for us to shoot at, and all you do for liberty. Rifle; $500, ammo; $0.30 per round; seeing the confidence boost in MtnOakBz after she repeatedly rung the steel; priceless.
Wow! Looks like you had a great Patriot's Day in spite of the circumstances. Certainly a perfect display of the Rifleman's qualities.
In liberty!
Enjoyed the shoot. Steel is always fun. Thanks all for putting it together.
A good time was had by all. Thanks for putting this together.
This was a great day spent with great people. We had the opportunity to spend relaxed time together and still managed to challenge our marksmanship skills. Thanks to everyone for coming out and celebrating Patriots' Day together/apart.
Great day with some of the best people in the world. They've taught me well!