8 eager students showed up on a glorious Alabama weekend to learn about our nation's early history, improve their marksmanship skills, and to celebrate liberty. Huzzah! EddieB gave an excellent First Strike, which hooked the students on the history of April 19th, 1775...and they stayed hooked until the end. After the safety briefing, we shot a hits count target, which set a baseline for the weekend. I was impressed by the groups and we even had two students hit Morgan's shingle...not bad since we had 5 students that had never attended an Appleseed event before and we hadn't done any instructing, yet. We then shot a sheet of squares after instruction on sling use, 6 steps of firing a shot, NPOA, and steady hold factors for prone. Boy, could you see the groups shrinking after every square!!!! During lunch, AnthonyB gave one of the best second strikes I have ever heard. Afterwards, we shot a few more squares. I could tell we were going to have some Riflemen. After Talking targets and Inches, Minutes, and Clicks, we were ready to make sight adjustments. It only took 2 squares to get most folks into the black. These students had brought the most important thing to an event...a teachable attitude! Carding the sights was an eye opening experience for most students...it really gave them an opportunity to really find their NPOA. The mag change drill gave the students a taste of what would be required on the AQT. BooneyStomper then gave the Third Strike, which included several appropriate and moving quotes from our founding fathers. Then we covered the seated/kneeling positions. The students tried all 4 positions and we finished the second sheet of squares by the students shooting groups of 5 shots in their favorite two seated/kneeling position. We ended Saturday with a hits count target and my oh my did we see improvement!!! Bill C, a first time Appleseeder cleared the target! We also had another student hit the shingle. It seemed like almost everyone's effective range increased.
All 8 students showed back up on Sunday morning (early...got to love that). They were eager to learn some more. After an interactive review of the safety briefing and instruction from Saturday, we shot a few squares to warm up and then started practicing transitions to seated/kneeling as well as transitions to prone. Everyone tried transitioning and could do it safely. I was impressed!!!! Then the students learned the proper technique for shooting while standing. We put up an AQT and shot Stage 1. These students did awesome at standing...some of the best I have seen for their first attempt. We then completed the first AQT and found men among us that knew what they were about. Brian M, a new Appleseeder shot a 212 and Ernie B requalified with a 213. Huzzah! Andy B got really close to qualifying with a 205...unfortunately he had to leave after lunch. I am positive he would have shot a Rifleman score this weekend otherwise. The students learned about shooting at Known Distance at lunch. Students, I hope to see all of you at one of our KD events soon! It's a blast!!! :snipersmi
After lunch, we did a dry-fire magazine/NPOA drill. I was glad to see so many hips moving as they transitioned between targets. Then we learned about the Rifleman's Bubble and Rifleman's Dance. Next up was Ball and Dummy. The students seemed to really enjoy coaching the other students (future IIT's perhaps...Hint, Hint, Ernie B ;) ) Also, since we had a centerfire on the line, I think this drill was especially beneficial. We were able to get in 5 more AQT's in (with a break for a history lesson on some "dangerous old men" and "dangerous and daring women"). Ernie B requalified with an increased score of 214. We concluded with a hits count target, Which Bill C cleared again!!!!! Huzzah!
Again, I enjoyed working with each of you! Brian and Bonnie, I hope you can stay a whole event next time. Bonnie showed so much progress over the weekend with an iron signted AR. Huzzah!. Brian, you need to come back so I can put an orange hat on your head ;D , plus I know you can do even better than a 212. I think you both would enjoy one of our Known Distance events. Andy, with a score just a few points away from 210, you are "knocking at the door" of a Rifleman Score. Come back and we'll get you "over the hump." Ernie, there's not much to say. You shot great and had an awesome presence. I really enjoyed your company. Now, I just need to figure out how I can put you in an orange hat. :cool2: . Joe, your persistence impressed me and you improved a lot. I hope to see you at another event. Send me a private message or call me and I can send some recommendations for rifles or rifle accessories that will make shooting easier as a lefty. Richard, I think you improved a lot and I know that you have it in you to shoot a Rifleman's score. I'm so glad that you are going to sign up for another event. Remember that I told you that it took me 4 events before I shot a Rifleman's score....a Rifleman persists. Bill, I have no doubt that you can shoot a Rifleman's score at your next event. You cleared the hits count target twice!!!!! Some folks have said that's actually more difficult than the AQT. Zach, I am really glad you found a standing position that works for you. Keep practicing...I know how bad you want that orange hat!!!! Call me any time and we can talk history or marksmanship. Remember that I will give you one of the TN Cadre patches if you come work an event in TN.
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If anybody else has pictures or comments, please post them.
Sounds like a good time was had by all as we say down south.
Nice work Beast! O0
Ramblin' Wreck
Tennessee Beast led this event like a pro! I really enjoyed working with him and the other instructors this weekend. Here are more pics:
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