Just Plain FUN!
A sold-out event, shooting from a covered deck, 85 degrees, no wind, green pastures in August, shooting with Trail Life, BLGC members and two brothers that drove five hours to join us. How does it get any better? We're spoiled after this event at the 560 acre Ben Lomond Gun Club in Ramah!
With on-site camping at the Club, Trail Life arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp under Cottonwoods on the high prairie of Eastern Colorado. Saturday morning we were joined by Lane (a BLGC member), Jim (BLGC Vice President) and Matt and Patrick (two brothers from the Western Slope). We jumped right in, telling about life in 1775 and teaching the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship. Saturday moved along nicely with crisp points of instruction and the telling of the Three Strikes. Before the day ended we were able to shoot an AQT and Lane requalified with a 234. The Daniel Morgan Benediction set the stage for Sunday's activities.
Sunday included a review of Saturday's material, marksmanship drills, a Flag Tour and DOM stories. But the highlight of the day was Captain Parker's Virginia Rifle. Captain Parker dressed in period gear (including spectacles) and taught everyone about his Virginia Rifle and accompanying gear. Then the shooters had the opportunity to load, fire and clean the rifle. With several hits, the British lost that battle, too. Everyone felt a connection to Morgan's Rifleman.
Throughout the weekend shot groups shrank, AQT scores increased and Red Coat effective ranges increased. Lane shot multiple qualifying scores and cleaned three of the four Red Coat targets. Eric saw significant improvement in scores and on Sunday, he shot two 195s and a 205. John, Jim, Matt and Patrick all saw their scores steadily improve over the weekend - they've Rifleman patches in their future. The Trail Life boys saw their scores improve with some nice shot groups on Sunday.
Thank you to the members and officers of Ben Lomond for being such gracious hosts. We're excited to come back for the Known Distance event in October!
Looks like a fun event in the plains. Especially nice to see our own "Kentucky Rifleman" Captain Parker on the trail!
That was a great shoot. BLGC is a first class facility, the weather cooperated, and the shooters were motivated.
As always, working with the Trail Life fathers and sons was a pleasurable experience.
Captain Parker's range session with the smoke pole definitely put the cherry on the sundae! :snipersmi