Marion Road Gun Club in Macon, Georgia hosted a two-day Appleseed clinic on 1-2 October 2022. This was the shoot that almost didn't happen due to hurricane weather forecasts. Yet Providence smiled on us and gave a beautiful weekend for thirteen students of rifle marksmanship and American history.
After introduction and a safety brief, students shot their first redcoat to gage their skill level. A couple skilled shooters made the tough shingle shot and 400 yard shots. We rolled right into instruction, teaching steady hold factors, six steps of the shot and natural point of aim, each lesson put into immediate practice with a drill to follow.
Throughout the day, shooters heard the true story of April 19th, 1775 through the telling of the Three Strikes of The Match. Shooters heard the history of Paul Revere's ride, Lexington and Concord, learning that we are the inheritors and stewards of liberty and freedom that was paid for in blood.
Instruction were given on talking targets, Inches, Minutes and Clicks and firing in rifleman's cadence. Targets paid the price as shooters learned and applied the fundamentals of shooting in seated and standing positions.
An Appleseed Qualification Test (AQT) was shot Saturday afternoon. Many shooters were knocking on the door of an expert score. Appleseed veteran Mike, back to chase that covered Distinguished rocker, shot an impressive 232 with a scope rifle. Outstanding!
First time Appleseeder George shot the minimum qualification score of 210 to earn his Rifleman badge. Huzzah! This, of course, made him the recipient of a North Bridge water baptism. The water was scooped from under the bridge at Concord 7 years ago and has sat in my fridge waiting to christen someone ever since!
Returning students AJ did quite well. First-time Appleseeders Steve, Brian, Jon, Ronnie, Kerry, Alan and Dean showed great progress throughout the day. We were privileged to have three young riflemen-in training on the line. Zach, Luke and Reagan were outstanding students that continually showed improvement. Zach shot a 209, getting oh-so-close to that Rifleman's score. I bet he earns it next time. We finished the day with a final redcoat where Zach cleared the target, two showed 400-yard effective range and three made the tough shingle shot! Excellent.
Eleven shooters returned on a beautiful Sunday morning. We reviewed Saturday's instruction in whole before shooting an AQT. Instructors were pleased to see results improve from Saturday. Mike managed a 237, oh-so-close to that Distinguished patch! George backed up his earlier score with a 213. A 2nd AQT was shot later in the day.
At lunch, we heard the stories of Dangerous Old men and brave women, learning that the fight for liberty belongs to everyone. After lunch, the shooters ran NPOA, magazine change and target transition drills. On the NPOA drill, youth shooters Reagan and Zach managed to get a majority of on-shot hits in the square to earn some Appleseed swag along with George, AJ and Mike.
Full distance shooting was taught late that afternoon. Students learned how to detect targets, estimate range, apply come-ups and deal with wind at extended range. The lesson was put into practice as we moved from 25 meters to 100 yards.
After an initial string of fire, students applied Inches Minutes and Clicks to get their hits on target. With zeros confirmed, we took turns banging steel target and boy did the shooters make it ring!
Thanks to Marion Road Gun Club for being such a faithful and hospitable host. Thank you all, shooters, for your teachable attitudes and enthusiasm. It was an honor and a privilege to work with. We hope to see you on the trail.
George getting his North Bridge water baptism!
Our young patriots.
Sounds like a great event! O0
The weather was just about perfect, and the students were attentive and safe. As always, I was honored to be a part of an Appleseed event, and humbled by the fervor for liberty exhibited by my fellow instructors.