On Friday the weather forecast predicted a 98% chance of rain on Saturday, and 100% on Sunday. Despite this, 9 hardy shooters arrived on Saturday morning at the Flagler Gun & Archery Club in Bunnell, Florida to embark on a journey to becoming Riflemen. The standard 25M Rifle Course of Fire was followed resulting in tight groups early in the day Saturday. The predicted rain held off for most of the day and only became bothersome during the final Redcoat target. Two AQTs were completed and two new Riflemen were revealed. Doug achieved his goal with his AR centerfire platform. He had persisted through several prior Appleseeds. Joining him was Steve who was also a repeat attendee. Congratulations to both of the newly minted Riflemen. The final Redcoat on Saturday revealed much improvement over the course of the day. Students were sent home to rest and recuperate for Sunday.
Overnight the predicted rains came and came and came. [Daytona International Speedway had to postpone the Saturday and Sunday races].
When the instructors arrived at the range on Sunday morning, the firing line was under several inches of water (and more was coming down). Despite the conditions 6 of the students returned. We quickly relocated to a different range with a dry firing line and launched into the review of the materials covered on Saturday. Did I mention the rain? By the time we were ready to shoot the AQT we really did not need the pushpins to hold the targets on the backers. Everything was so wet the targets just stuck to the backers. We scored the AQTs using photos because the targets were so wet they could not be removed for scoring. Nevertheless at some point during the day every single shooter shot at least 190 on one or more AQTs. Steve backed up his score from Saturday and requalified.
IIT1 Bus pitched in enthusiastically and was promoted to IIT2 after completing the PC.
Thanks to Heavyduty77, Bus and TomM1Thumb. You made being the Shoot Boss easy. Thanks to the Flagler Gun Club for once again being a gracious and supportive host.
Photos (standard photos, standing water and soggy targets) are available at:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBeLky
Congratulations to Doug! I know it meant a lot to you to get your patch.
Well done to Steve also.
Looks like everyone did a great job despite the adverse weather.
Congrats on your promotion to IIT2, Bus!
As we often say, "a rifleman persists", great job to instructors and student alike for making this event a success in such challenging conditions.
Congrats Doug & Steve. You both have persisted over several events and ya stuck gold guys. ^:)^ We had reservations for elsewhere made about a year ago, but look forward to seeing you at a future event...perhaps in an orange hat? There's no doubt one becomes a better shooter by helping others.
Congrats Bus! Look forward to meeting you on the line.
Good job everyone. Never give up!
Bus you're making great progress on PCs so I hope you're also working on your history presentations.