The day began under clear skies and an enthusiastic group of instructors and students all arrived early and the clinic began on schedule!
After the opening remarks, Trekkie presented the safety brief and Roswell, in tri-corner hat and colonial coat, presented his always entertaining First Strike. The redcoat course of fire that followed resulted in 3 shingle hits and a host of 100, 200 and 300 yard hits suggesting that by day's end, perhaps this group might yield more riflemen than cooks.
Following the redcoat, we spent the morning teaching the tripod of marksmanship, fitting rifles with lots of dry-fire/dry-practice until mid-morning. The extra time spent focusing on the fundamentals paid off. Saw mostly 4-6 MOA groups in five squares (or less( including several students using iron sights. We returned to the classroom for lunch and Second Strike by Gator, followed by talking targets and IMC. After lunch, we were able to advance to teaching seated and standing after only one square. The mid-afternoon break and Third Strike was followed the Appleseed Qualification Test (AQT). The AQT followed smoothly and target checks between strings of fire suggested that there were going to be some students who would likely prove they knew very much what they were about.
Sunday began with Roswell sharing the State of Affairs in 1776 followed by a full recap of Saturday's instruction. Along with ball and dummy, we were able to get in five AQTs and saw over 1/3 of the line knocking on the rifleman "door" with scores of 200, 198 and 197 with two requals at 222/220 by one returning student.
It was a great day for history, heritage and marksmanship.
Thank you to all the instructors who volunteered their time and to the students who took time out of their weekend to join us!
Huzzah!
6Bones
Thank you Sheriff Frank Reynolds for allowing us to use the training center for this event, free of charge, and to Corporal Josh Watkins for assisting us with the event.
Don't forget to 7th step!
What a great weekend with even better people! While there were no new Riflemen this event, as 6Bones said, many of you were knocking on the door. And everyone of you has what it takes. Just remember, perfect practice makes perfect and a Rifleman persists. I look forward to seeing each of you on the trail.
In Liberty,
Roswell
This is a picture dump - I've finally figured out how to add them. Sorry it's taken so long.
September was a blur. I remember it was great to see Trekkie's family there (3/4 anyway) and the boy with the bolt action was awesome!
(https://i.imgur.com/tpueRg7.jpg)
Amber learning the standing position with a beautiful new rifle.
(https://i.imgur.com/5lnKNAR.jpg)
Learning prone position
(https://i.imgur.com/2pnWCfU.jpg)
Prone position with a bipod. He's due to grow a foot this year and will fit the rifle. Until then, he was an ace with the bipod.
(https://i.imgur.com/cXVVONc.jpg)
Learning seated position
(https://i.imgur.com/Syqbaua.jpg)
Ball and Dummy drill - my favorite, if I had to pick a favorite shooting part of an Appleseed event
(https://i.imgur.com/HYRVfTi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EIuQ6Fb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oqvBhIR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DhoWZTz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gk0xtuD.jpg)
Bug has volunteered at 25 events already! She's amazing.
(https://i.imgur.com/ocLqEW6.jpg)
Our state coordinator and often Shoot Boss is thanked for his 100th event!!! We are so lucky to have him!
(https://i.imgur.com/Fz1864D.jpg)
Gator shared a little from this book he and his wife picked up. Thanks!