It was a great weekend in Lapeer as eight students gathered for an Appleseed 25M rifle clinic. The weather was ideal for Michigan in February. The mornings started out in the low teens but reached a balmy 30°F on Sunday afternoon. Prior to the event, number6 created paths in the snow to and along the target line. Thanks 6, everyone took advantage of the easy walking paths. (Well Elias, almost everyone.) Saturday morning, before the students arrived, the instructors leaped into action and shaved down the drifts making sure the bullet trajectories were clear. The range was ready, and we just needed the students to arrive.
The eight students that had signed up all arrived and they were eager to get started! Five attendees were first time Appleseeders, one more was attending his first rifle clinic, and two were repeat Riflemen. The students made their way through the snow and the marksmanship instruction and history stories began.
This group started out with very tight groups. It was clear, these were not typical first time Appleseeders. This group impressed the instructors with their attitudes and enthusiasm. As we worked through the course of fire, the rifles began to fit the students, the steady hold factors improved, the six steps were drilled, and NPOA was found.
The top priorities at any Appleseed event are to be safe, improve individual marksmanship skills, and learn about our shared heritage. This group was truly exceptional in all three areas. The attention to safety and "teachable" attitudes not only benefitted the students but made this event a joy for the volunteers.
A few highlights from this event are listed below:
We managed to get one AQT in on Saturday. Al (Scuba) was ready. He scored a 235 and he added a Winterseed patch to his rather large collection. Al said he was almost ready to make a quilt. On Sunday Al scored a 243 and earned a new style, first edition "Distinguished Rifleman" patch. (For those that know Al, how long do you think it took him to text a picture to Craig and Rob? The answer is, three second.)
Also on Saturday, Frank, attending his very first Appleseed and shooting his very first AQT, with a bolt action Ruger Precision, scored a 233 and received a Winterseed patch! This was done despite not getting all his shots off in time. Great shooting Frank!
Meri was ready as well on Saturday as she earned a Winterseed patch with a 220! Meri later learned a new seated position, elbows in front of the knees, way in front, all the way to the
ground and she shot a 236!
Eric was attending his first Appleseed event. On Sunday afternoon, Eric earned a Winterseed patch with a 210! In Michigan, we have a tradition for those that achieve a 210. The temperatures did not impact this tradition as Eric was doused with water from under the North Bridge!
The patch is a great honor, but it does not determine if the weekend was a success. In fact, it might be the fifth rated objective, after safety, marksmanship improvement, heritage, and having fun. The students did have fun! The remaining students mentioned below were all first-time rifle event attendees. Keep in mind, on average, it takes three events to earn a patch. Elias, Jason, Martin, and Dave can all earn a patch at their next event!
Elias learned he is right-handed and left eye dominant. He shot all weekend as a lefty! I was trying to find a way to fit a fun shoot in with everyone having to shoot opposite handed. Jason would have given Elias a run for his money, but I am not sure anyone else would have a chance.
Jason would easily win the award for being the most prepared. For your first rifle clinic, you shot very nice groups. All you have to do is shoot four good stages on one AQT and not spread out those nice stages across several AQT's. Just work on relaxing into the sling. Relax, and then relax just a little bit more, and you will be a Rifleman at your next event.
Martin started out off paper, way of paper! Over the weekend, his groups really improved. On the final AQT, he scored a 207! Make that hand sandwich and keep your elbow under the rifle and you will earn a patch at your next event.
Dave, shooting iron aperture sights on a stock Ruger 10/22, scored a 209! I am not sure if this causes more heartache to Dave or the instructors. I stand corrected, I do know, the answer is the instructors. Dave took this like a "Rifleman" and he commented that he will just have to wait for his next event.
The winning team for the fun shoot was Meri and Martin and they each won a fabulous prize! We make this joke all the time, but this time, the prizes really were fabulous. Number6 donated a flag of their choice. Meri chose the Appeal to Heaven and Martin chose the Bennington. Congratulations!
Thank you to the Lapeer Sportsmen's Club for hosting this Appleseed event. This is a great venue, and we always look forward to returning.
Special thanks to Round baller for dressing in period clothing and allowing the students to shoot a replica Brown Bess! Huzzah!
Three Huzzahs to the instructor team, number 6, mrsurplus, Pocket Watch, TL, Mr. Zeke, and Boggie for donating your time and talents to this event. The Appleseed instructor cadre are some of the best people you can ever meet, and it is a pleasure to know and work with all of you. Your dedication to the program is clearly evident by your willingness to share your wisdom. Thank you!
A link with photos is copied below.
https://imgur.com/a/XhzgFAV
Feel free to post your own pictures and share any comments you have about this weekend's Appleseed event. Tell your friends or better yet, bring them to a future event!
Best regards,
Rangerat67
Rick
It was a joy, pleasure, and great fun to work the line in Lapeer for the Winterseed! I've been attending or working this Winterseed every year since 2018 and I wouldn't miss it.
Great shooting to all of the shooters! I was very impressed with the groups and attitudes of everyone, as well as their attentiveness to the instruction and HISTORY!
As always, a pleasure working with these instructors of course!
Appleseeders (instructors and students) are some of my most favorite people!!!