Well, another great Appleseed is in the books at Meeker Sportsman Center near Marion, Ohio. Due to some late cancellations, we only had 5 first time Appleseed shooters (two family groups) join us for the weekend. But while we were a small group, we had a big time this weekend.
We started the weekend with a welcome, introduction to the goals of RWVA and Project Appleseed, and our normal safety briefing. This was followed by bringing rifles to the line and we started the event with the Sat morning Red Coat.
Results showed that we had a lot of work to do. We had only 1 shooter of 5 put three rounds in the 100 yd target and that was it. Zeros the rest of the way down the Red Coat. Two of the five were not even on paper. But, no problem, Riflemen persist and we pressed on.
We moved to the points of instruction (POI). The steady hold factors in prone were presented followed by the six steps and NPOA. Related drills were shot after each POI and we then shot sighting groups in anticipation of IMC.
Extra targets were posted around our squares targets to get feedback, gross site adjustments were made along the way and we finally got everyone on paper and working toward good zeros. IMC was presented before lunch, additional adjustments were made and we continued to dial everyone into a good zero.
After a lunch and a First Strike from Corvette, we returned to the line for more sight adjustments. This is when equipment breakdowns challenged us. We had several rifles that just quit on us. One had a mag that just would not eject and other problems cropped up. Several rifles were retired and loaner rifles were brought to the line to keep us moving forward.
Meadow presented a great Second Strike at our afternoon break and we returned to the line. Steady hold factors in seated and standing were presented and related drills were shot.
Next was the practice AQT, followed by the afternoon Red Coat. Scores showed some progress. We had 4 of 5 at 100, 2 at 200, but nothing above this with the exception of 2 who hit the shingle. The Third Strike was presented by Corvette with a following call to action and we closed out the day.
Sunday dawned overcast with a gentle breeze which was good as the humidity was high. All the shooter returned for day two which was also a good sign. The morning Red Coat showed more progress. We had 5 of 5 shooters at 100, 2 at 200, 1 at 300, 1 at 400, and 1 joined Daniel Morgan.
After an NPOA/Carding the sights drill, we moved on to the AQT grind.
We shot four AQT's on Sunday. We had one shooter deliver the score. Congrats to new Rifleman Bill (220). Bill shot several other scores over 200 but could not quite re-qualify. Our most improved shooter was Grace who spent most of Saturday off paper but rebounded with consistent improvement which topped out at a 198 on our final AQT.
Grace, one more event and I am sure you will pass over to the select group of Ohio Riflewomen.
Flag history and the DOM's were presented throughout the day on breaks and AKA dropped by at lunch time on Sunday to say hi and gave us a Dangerous Dame (Betty Zane) presentation.
More AQT's were shot and we ended the day with the Sunday Red Coat. Results showed that progress was mixed. We had 4 of 5 at 100, 2 at 200, 1 at 300, but nobody was good at 400 and nobody hit the shingle. The heat and physical challenges had taken its toll.
We officially closed the event with another call to action and a challenge for all to get involved in their communities. But several of the shooters stuck around for some additional work at distance with centerfire rifles.
We broke out an M1 Garand to allow several of the shooters to experience the "ping" of the rifle. Both Mike and Grace took their turn behind the rifle and both enjoyed it greatly. We then spent some trigger time with Grace sighting in Dad's new AR's open sights at 100yds. This gave us a chance to reinforce IMC fundamentals and within a few rounds, the rifle was dead on target.
My thanks to the shooters for having a safe event and to Meadow and AKA for helping with the event. And, our thanks again to Meeker Sportsman Center for hosting our event.
Corvette