After dodging potential weather conflicts resulting from Hurricane Ida, a downpour of last minute sign ups only days before the event, coupled with one walk-on, resulted in a clinic one student shy of a sell-out. The day began with an early start for the instructor corps who made quick work of the range setup allowing us to greet attendees and get started right on time. We had several family groups and a wide variety of skills (and ages) present on the line.
After introductions and opening remarks, Stockbreaker kicked things off with the First Strike followed by a presentation of the safety rules, after which we safely brought rifles and students to the line. The morning red coat revealed three (potential) riflemen who struck Morgan's Shingle with cold bores and from there, we were off to races for the one day course of instruction.
We spent the morning teaching "Perfect Practice" with each student receiving one on one instruction on sling use, the six steps of firing the shot, steady hold factors of the prone position and NPOA. After getting all of the students' rifles properly fitted (including an emergency run to the local tractor supply for more vet wrap and foam), the students first series of squares did not disappoint. In fact, we were able to teach talking targets before breaking for lunch.
Cleveland delivered Second Strike (and yes, he managed to bring a tear to my eye as he consistently does (... take good care of the children)), and Stockbreaker presented IMC which was very well-received by the students, over half of which were ready to make adjustments as soon as we returned to the line.
The heat really ramped up early in the afternoon, so with the assistance of the students, we deployed some pop-up canopies and finished up with sight adjustments and sighting squares in quick order so that Coke Guy could deliver Third Strike a bit earlier than planned to allow several observers in attendance to hear all three strikes before departing. Following the Third Strike, Gator and Stockbreaker tag-teamed to introduce the mag change drill and the seated/kneeling positions.
Following the afternoon break, we introduced the AQT transition stages followed by instruction for the standing position and completed one AQT in conjunction with instruction. Next, we posted a second AQT and completed the complete course of fire resulting in a top score of 206 (a first time attendee), as well as a 197 with the remaining scores falling in the 135-175 range. Though we did not see any new riflemen, both the students and instructors were pleased with the outcomes given that this was a one day clinic.
After a brief recognition of the youth present and discussion of the 7th step and upcoming events, we concluded another successful day of history, heritage an marksmanship education.
Sounds like an awesome event! Well done everyone!
Fantastic team effort, hats off to 6Bones for his superb shoot-bossery!
I think we will see several of these first timers on the line again in the future.
Virginia and I had a great time. She progressed a great deal from our last Appleseed. She continued the streak of outscoring me. 🤣. We look forward to the next time we are able to come.