Wow, what a great shoot! I think the other instructors will agree that this really was an exceptional appleseed, marked by extremely gracious hosts, great facilities, and shooters with persistence and learning attitudes. But instead of keeping you in suspense, I guess I'll just let the numbers speak for themselves...
28 shooters
8 Riflemen
3 new IITs
1 heck of a good time had by all!
The shoot was held at the Bone Creek Gun Range, which was about 20 minutes from Pittsburg. The gun club's president, Roger, had been wanting to have an Appleseed there for years, invited us out there without a range fee and helped set the event up. Saturday morning a little before 7 a.m., the first of us arrived on the scene -- me, my 2 IITs, and George, the captain of the Pittsburg State Univ. ROTC unit, who also helped to get this event organized. Some of the cadets showed up to help set up, and we got to work getting targets ready. Roger showed up early to help out, as well. Our backers were mostly cardboard silhouette targets that the range uses for IDPA shoots. They were each supported by two sticks attached to a very sturdy angle iron base, which kept them from moving in the wind... they worked great. The facilities were really nice -- we did most of the shooting on the pistol range, which is a 25 yard range with a covered line (they got the awning from an old Sonic restaurant!). The range had shooting benches right at the 25 yd. line, but we moved them back to use as our equipment line, and had the shooters set up about 3 feet back from the 25 line. Perfect! We got the shoot started right at 8:30. It went extremely well, and everybody made a lot of progress. We had 5 minors on the line, and they all had great attitudes, and probably showed the most improvement of anybody. We only managed to work in 2 AQTs on the first day. We were running them pretty hard and they were getting tired by that time, so no riflemen the first day.
We didn't lose very many shooters on Sunday... we picked up a new one (a ROTC cadet), and the instructors and the shooters around her brought her up to speed. We started with some Redcoats that showed marked improvement over the previous day. We did ball and dummy and star targets to make sure everybody really had NPOA down, and then started in with AQTs. They produced immediate results. After lunch we gave out 4 Rifleman patches, and kept on shooting. We shot another set of redcoats at the end of the 25m , and they showed some amazing improvement. I think oldgrunt ended up with the results from all the weekend's redcoats -- hopefully he will chime in with those. Anyway, we had a 200 yard range available, and lots of shooters had center fires (and us instructors brought plenty as well), so we finished up with a little KD. There was one steel silhouette and a few approximately head-sized plates for the shooters to try their skills on. Everybody had lots of fun. Ethan, one of Roger's sons, hit the 200 yard silhouette with his single-shot Cricket .22! Oldgrunt gave off a little impromptu shooting exhibition... pretty cool stuff! After all the shooting was done, we gave out 4 more Rifleman patches, one of whom went to one of our minors, as well as his dad (David and David Jr.). Great job guys! We had 3 guys take orange hats. Hopefully they will all be checking in on this thread with their new screen names so I can have Instructor Scheduling get them all set up.
I don't know what I would have done without oldgrunt there to help me run this thing. A-bomb did a great job too. And of course the whole thing wouldn't have ever happened without Roger and George. Thanks to all involved. Shooters, you all showed the spirit of the rifleman with persistence and eagerness to learn. I hope to see you all soon at another Appleseed.
This might just have been the best shoot I've ever attended.
henschman
Great job Henschman and OldGrunt. Thank you for comming up and doing this. I know from the Eureka shoot that the Pitt State ROTC people are great to work with. 8 new Riflemen and 3 new IITs, Outstanding!
Very awesome shoot! I was extremely happy to be involved, as I always am. Can't get over the positive attitudes of everyone at the shoot! This event was truly what appleseed is all about! I'm happy to be on the 2nd rung of the IIT ladder, but more happy that I could make a difference in a few people's lives. Had a great time and met some great people that I and the rest of the Oklahoma gang hope to see again! Thank you so jmuch to everyone involved. Roger, Daniel, OldGrunt (Don't know what we'd have done without him), Capt. Johnson, Patty for the wonderful meal Saturday night, and everyone who showed up who I failed to mention. Thank you everyone. Like I said previously. You all are what appleseed is about!
From all of us at BCGC we had a great time. Beside myself & George we also had James Pope (our CRO) do Saturday's shooting. Our monthly club meeting was tonight and he and I were touting all we learned. I would guess our next Appleseed will have a stack of the regulars at it.
My 9 & 11 year old sons (Ethan & Michael) had a blast! My brother in law and his 12 year old son also shot and they loved it. My kids are still talking about it. They've been exposed to shooting since they were born (both got a rifle in first grade) but this was their first formal instruction. They've taken part in some practical handgun and 3 gun matches (just for fun) with me and their mom but have never knuckled down for a whole day of trigger time. Despite some fatigue they really enjoyed it.
All the people I spoke with afterward remarked on how well they slept after each day of shooting. They physical demands of the shooting wore down some bodies but I think it was the mental fatigue of maintaining total focus on sights & targets that really wore us out. Yesterday my 11 year old commented how his brain was still tired. O0
My kids did not make rifleman but their shooting improved markedly. As we all know dad is not very bright and is usually ignored when he gives advice. ;) I emphasized to them that the instructors were pros and knew "what they were about". The kids really paid attention and followed the guidance of the instructors to their benefit.
A-Bomb, Henschman & OldGrunt did a great job with everyone. OldGrunt gets a special thanks for spending so much one-on-one time with my 9 year old Ethan. He went from barely hitting paper to having his position locked in pretty solid and getting some decent groups. Both boys are psyched up and looking forward to making Rifleman some day.
I'm very proud to say I was one of the 8 riflemen but can tell I have a lot of room for improvement. It seemed like at first I could call the occasional bad shot but had trouble telling a lot of other bad shots. As I improved I could more easily tell when bad trigger control was pulling my sights off target and improve it.
Day one I ran my AR-15 A2 with a Ciener .22 conversion kit to get the feel for everything on the cheap. From past tests I knew at best the kit will give 8 MOA accuracy (2" @ 25m); not acceptable for making Rifleman but OK to get the positions, sights and trigger down. A couple hours into day two I switched over to .223 and shot rifleman by lunch. I didn't get to hear my actual score but based on the number of peripheral hits I have lots of room for improvement. I look forward to more improvement and the ability to hold all my shots at 4 MOA.
Instead of a GI sling I ran a Vickers tactical 2 point sling modified so I could use it as a Ching Sling for positional shooting and still use it as a true tactical sling for carry and 3 gun. I'm a lifelong fan of Col. Jeff Cooper and his advocacy of the Ching Sling stayed with me. I felt like the modified Vickers let me have the best of both worlds; a solid shooting sling for when I have the time to sling up and a practical carry sling. I'll create a separate post to demonstrate how I did it for ideas and improvement.
We fired up the grill and AdamSelene (George) grilled up burgers for everyone at lunch. While we enjoyed the burgers Henschman regaled us with tales of our founders struggles.
I was too busy shooting to get many pictures but here are a few.
Lunch break after a busy morning.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1614.jpg)
A-Bomb demonstrating the non-optimal way to sit
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1639.jpg)
and Henschman demonstrating the right way to do it
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1634.jpg)
Henschman telling the story of the three strikes of the match that started the war with delicious burgers grilling in the background (OldGrunt has his back to the camera)
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1645.jpg)
OldGrunt banging the steel at 200 yards
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1668.jpg)
Henschman emptying his M1 at the 200 yard steel
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1676.jpg)
My 11 year old prepping the AR for his turn at the KD steel
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1651.jpg)
and also firing the 8th round (see the clip flying out) from Henschan's M1 (he loved that)!
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1681.jpg)
My 8 year old nailing steel at 200 with the AR. I didn't get any shots of him with the .22 Cricket but he really did get the range on the 10th shot. <:)
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1656.jpg)
Seven of the eight Riflemen with their very capable instructors. I'm on the far left, I'll need some help ID'ing all the shooters but the father/son dual David's are on the far right. Beside me is one of the PSU students and beside him is the tallest Rifleman (and ROTC cadet) Gibbs.
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-11%20Appleseed/100_1687.jpg)
Really had fun....wish I could have been there both days, but Sunday was it for me. Anyway, great facility....instructors, shooters, heck..everything was GREAT!
Hadn't been exposed to OldGrunt and A-Bomb before, they were a hoot....and Henschman did a great job, as always. Really liked the the 200 yd KD shoot...would have been better if I hadn't had technical difficulty with my PSL. Also liked the burgers at lunch...will try that at our next shoot, along with a KD.
Thanks to AdamSelene and Lomshek...for a very successful shoot and hope you have many more!
I will pitch in too and say what a great time I had. Shooting rifleman with my 14 year old 10-22 was an accomplishment I will never forget. I was wondering about the certificates we get that shows we participated in the shoot. My wife is teasing me with the idea of buying me a Nagant for christmas and I don't want anything to hinder that idea. ;D And I know a few other shooters were excited about the idea of getting a hold of some old military guns.
After a Long drive from Davilla Tx for the RBC I find that the shoots AAR was posted ...Well In the nut shell Riflemen were made and stories were told .And that brings me to the IIT's and The red hat that were there great job folks ..I think it so neat that a IIT can make red hat the way hench has done ...I know you going to be around a long time thanks for helping out all this year...
With that being said the shoot was great I get to shoot on some of the best private ranges around and this one was just one more...I drove in on saturday to find many folks looking to see just what the signed up for lol...I love that look on the shooters face when they see us start the days events to come..Like a kid at Christmas ....So once we got the safety and rifle breifs done we were off and running..Many shooters came with ar's of all makes as well as the 10/22 nothing ever came up that was either resolved fast or just switched out.The whole day seen many shooter fighting NPOA and the 6 steps..I seen alot of good things saturday From dads and sons enjoying the day to the unit of ROTC shooters that just werent going to give up ...We prepped so many rounds saturday that when sunday rolled around I saw red thumbs ...ouch !!!!
Eathan you did OUTSTANDING!!!!! That cricket is on its it kiddoo and yes you did that you put the rounds right where you called the shot...Each time I drive up too a shoot I always look for the numbers of moms and kids to be some what high and this wasnt any different...Thanks for bringing them out I do this for the kids....Seems the Home school kids have alot going for them lol you guys can shoot..
Sunday started on time and when I mean on time ...The ones that were late had to watch us shoot the red coats..lol The night before had me thinking what I had to do ...I had to get this bunch over the hump ,,SO the drills began from NPOA shifts to stars and the sqaures..I seen the lights come on at about 1100 am ..I heard "I just called that shot" .lol And other comments from the shooters that made me think "okay lets get the dumby rounds out and get them problem solving".And shazzzammm the bad habit and fumbling fell to the waste side..
I had them shoot on AQT and the race was on .I seen scores just climb as each skill they learned surfaced before their eyes..Durning the breaks I listen from a distance to the shooters .Thanks for the kind word but you all did that I just gave you the tools..AFter the lunch was finshed and the stories were told we started back on the Aqt's and as always the folks just couldnt get over the 200 mark.But I had a bottle of water and in that bottle the spirt of the riflemen was waiting to come out and great them .Yep NORTH BRIGDE WATER..So after the trigger fingers were soaked the scores made 8 riflemen ..Something about that water hmmm I'm a beliver still....At about 2pm we switched over to the KD side and thats when those little sqaures came to life from old men to kids seen that we just showed them something they couldnt do just a day before.And that means hit something with a sling with no bag or bi pod heheheheeee..Love it didnt ya ...After they had thier fun it was time to let the shooters see just what 3 guyz from oklahoma could do with that sling and a few rounds..I hope you all enjoyed the time we spent together and if you need us to come back we will be there .With that being said I hope more of you ask to helpout IIT's are in high demand and we could use you ...If anyone in near the area they should go to this location easy in easy out ....Nice range and a great staff there to support you.Come on out..
I will post pics and other neat stuff from the event ON YOUTUBE LOOK FOR USER NAME sfc grazier "thoughts on applseed" He said alot of good things thanks.....thanks again and I'm beat!!!!1400 miles two great shoots and a boot camp time to get the gear cleaned up and do it all over again...Get to a Bootcamp you'll enjoy it and learn other things we just cant teach you in two dayzzz...LIKE how to cook .....!!!! Davilla 2OH_NINE ....11 OH NINE
OldGrunt you definitely deserve some rest from all that driving! Doing an RBC straight after our shoot is a long time away from home.
Thanks to all of the Red & Orange hats who are willing to join the ranks and fight for this country. I need to focus on raising my sons right now but will join your ranks soon. In the meantime I'll do all I can locally to promote this program and awaken more folks.
Sounds good Roger! You supply the range and we'll supply the instructors!
I would also be remiss if I didn't mentioning the part played by Okiewino, the Oklahoma Appleseed State Coordinator, in getting this shoot (and the one in Sallisaw, OK that also happened that weekend) set up. He put me in touch with George and Roger in the first place. He really wanted to come out, but he was under strict doctor's orders not to!
Also, everyone who attended who wants a Completion of Marksmanship Clinic form so they can buy from the CMP needs to PM me with your full real name and address to send it to. Once again, I'm sorry I didn't have these on the day of the shoot.
I had a blast thanks again for coming out. i would like to get one of the forms for the cmp and if you could lend me a hand getting set up as an iit it would be apriciated.
Sorry for the delayed response, I was chasing Bambi last weekend.
My cadets and I had a great time at the Appleseed! You could not ask for better weather and it was gratifying to see so many Riflemen made. Congrats goes to Ace of Spades, he is the high shooter from ROTC who volunteered to put on the Orange Hat and become an IIT! I will help him work on his spelling (see above post).
Henschman, Old Grunt and A-Bomb thank you for all the mentoring and help it was outstanding instruction, I know that the PSU Gun Club and Bone Creek Gun Club were both very pleased with the event and cant wait to do it again! Pictures to follow when I get home and get the camera.
AdamSelene
Hello All!
I have only just found this page today but I must say what a great experience! My sons and I still talk about our time in Pittsburg. I am still hearing how I was "Smoked like a cheap cigar." It was amazing how fast our shooting improved with just the little chats after each shoot; My first target looked as if I used a shotgun; (not to discount the water on the finger) We came away with a new respect for our little 1022 and will soon fit it with Tech sights and G.I. slings. To the instructors, many thanks and you are on to something very special here. The range was fantastic and I am encouraged to join our local range and work to get an event in Topeka; my son wants a rematch. I hope to see all of you folks from RWVA again soon.
Regards
David Montalvo
In my AARs, I like to post the links for downloadable Appleseed targets, GI slings, and sling studs/swivels, as these are things lots of new Appleseeders are interested in obtaining, and AAR threads are usually one of the first places new folks check in. Here they are:
Downloadable target thread: download Appleseed targets for free, and keep your skills sharpened. http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=9833.0
M1 slings: this is both the cheapest and the best source I have found. They don't slip, the clamps don't come loose, and they have plenty of length for any rifle. http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=984970&chrSuperSKU=&MC=
Here are the extra sling clips, so you can have one on each end of the sling like lots of us instructors do. This is great for using the loop sling, because you can leave the sling dangling on your arm when not shooting, and just clip the front hook onto your rifle's front swivel when you're ready to shoot. At this price, there is no reason not to buy one of these for each sling you're ordering. http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=537280&chrSuperSKU=&MC=
If you don't have sling studs and 1 1/4" (1.25") sling swivels on your rifle, you will need them to use a GI sling. Most sporting goods stores don't carry 1 1/4" swivels -- they usually only have 1" ones. I have seen 1 1/4" ones at a couple Wal-Marts, though -- I think they were Winchester brand. If you want to order these items online, the Uncle Mike's part number for the stud/swivel combo is 13113. The Part Number for just the swivels is 14033. Search for whichever part number you need on www.midwayusa.com, www.cheaperthandirt.com, or www.brownells.com. They all carry them.
Happy shooting!
Also, I am going to the post office today to mail out the CMP forms for everybody who contacted me. This should be Devon, Hunter, David, David J., and Steven. If you want a form and haven't contacted me yet, just send me a PM and I'll get it mailed out.
henschman