The day began before sun-up for a very chilly range setup which was significantly easier thanks to CokeGuy doing much of the work earlier in the week before going out of town (Thank you CokeGuy)!
After a warm welcome and opening remarks, Gator delivered an excellent telling of the First Strike of the Match followed by safety rules and a call to bring rifles to the line. After a redcoat, the work ahead of us was clear and we spent the first part of the morning fitting rifles to students. The line was filled with a broad spectrum of experience from first-timers to many frequent flyers ( returning students ). The extra time spent on the line setting up rifles and reviewing the tripod of marksmanship paid off. By 11am, we had 80% of the line shooting sub-six MOA groups with the remaining 20% comprised of our first-timers. The targets spoke next and we broke early for lunch with Maximum Effort delivering an excellent telling of the Second Strike of the Match followed by IMC.
After lunch, and a couple more squares to check zeroes, seated/kneeling and standing were introduced along with magazine changes and time. The group progressed quickly, in fact, so quickly that we were able to get in THREE AQTs! The results were outstanding: Eight (8)) rifleman scores! Eddie 221/219/237 (requals) ; Nick 235/237 (requals); Paul 222 (requal) ; Ryan (13 yo) 225 New Rifleman and Peyton (13 yo) 210 New Rifleman complete with North Bridge water baptism! With light fading and three (3) AQT's and the Third Strike of the Match in the books, a closing redcoat gave way to the need for an extended awards ceremony which included Luther Blanchard patches for our two youth shooters and a request for an orange hat by Paul! Welcome to the Cadre!
It was a safe, cold, and glorious day for history, heritage and marksmanship!
Thanks for stepping up, Paul!!!
Sounds like an amazing event! Great job everyone! Congratulations to all the new Rifleman.
Special huzzah for Paul! O0