Wow, I can't believe I'm the first one back to a keyboard.
Fantastic weekend, a little toasty yesterday but gorgeous today!
Just want to thank all of the instructors: Fred, Mr & Mrs. Lucky Man, The Guy and Ornell.
The sponsors Jim and the rest of the 2nd Amendment Patriots and the club who hosted us.
I think attendance was in the mid 30's and I believe there were 2 new Riflemen.
I think most everyone enjoyed the weekend and certainly learned a great deal.
I certainly improved my ability and appreciate the coaching that went on.
Looking forward to the October shoots.
Ed
Thanks for the update, and welcome to the forum!
Ah, the Free State of Indiana calls yet to my soul again.
Sad, how when I think that if the Chicago fire would have done even more damage, or happened again, Illinois would be a Free State as well. But such is for cojecture.
It was good to see lots of "younger" shooters on the line, with a mix of an old .22, and a BUNCH of com-bloc stuff. Had the two with the AK's had AR's, I am positive their success rate would have been much better. However, when working with the two one on one, we did see good form and mechanics, just a better rifle would have done so much more for these two.
Miss Entusiasim was phenominal, jumping and yelling as her groups shrunk considerably through the days. If the rest of the group had that much energy, we could have lighted up the entire state for a month! I can't wait to see her and her husband again in the fall.
2nd Amendment Patriots really rolled out the welcome wagon for the Appleseed,taking so good care of us with the chow and admin. help that I was loath to leave. Meeting Jim and the rest of the anti-socialist crowd truly demonstrated what the Soft War was truely all about. These folks have their act together. Bodes well for the future of Indiana.
Also met Sur+Rifle, a long time RWVA/Appleseed entusiast, and had a nice chat with him at the end of the second day. Real good fella. In fact, maybe even "Guy" material. And I can give no higher praise than that.
Worked with the Luckys, Ornell, Fred and AD. I felt absolutely like the common man among greats there, and, as always, learned much about how much I don't know. Thanks for keeping my learning continuing!
Some day, I hope to see the fruits of our program prosper in Indiana, and out of all the states so far, that seems to be the "home away from home" for the Appleseed program. A place where you can go and always feel welcome and among friends.
Thank you all so much, and see you in the fall.
The Guy
As one of the Evansville participants, I want to express my appreciation to all the instructors for the sacrifice of their time and their dedication to the program.
I had an AK with a scope that needed sighted in...I lost the first half of Saturday to time spent getting "on target," but using the "MOA, inches, and clicks" instructions I was able to get the bugger sighted in and accurate. From then on any lack of accuracy was my fault, not the rifle's.
I FINALLY learned the wisdom of squeeeeezing the trigger on the last AQT series (Fred can claim the credit for that...). I wished I'd followed instructions sooner, I'm sure my score would have been higher. At least I reached marksman this time.
I look forward to the fall shoot at Red Brush, and must decide before then whether to switch to my AR or M1A. Cost of ammo will probably weigh in.
Thanks everyone for a great weekend.
3rdJohn11
Good report, glad it worked out well for you. Might want to make it to the Evansville Boot camp. A whole week of all kinds of fun. ;D
3rdJohn11 - don't know how old your AR is (newer ones my have a faster rate of twist in the barrel) but you might consider the ciener conversion kits that allow you to shoot .22 LR ammo. At RBC 2 I believe cookfrombrooklyn shot rifleman with his conversion kit. Mine shoots sub 1" square groups with Remington Golden Bullets. Check out http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR059-21126-1884.html
To use it at an Appleseed you'll want an extra magazine or two. Of course the practice ammo makes it worth it. $10 or so for 500 rnds. when on sale for .22 LR ammo vs. whatever 500 rnds. of 5.56 ammo goes for these days. For learning the basics (and practicing them) at 25 yds. .22LR gets it done as well at 5.56. Save the centerfire stuff for proving to yourself how doing it by the numbers at 25 yds. enables you to do it at longer ranges just as well (need to learn to read and adjust for wind but that is the major difference). Good luck.
My AR is about a 7-8 years old...the fellow next to me on the line used a Ceiner kit on his AR Sunday and had good accuracy despite some problems with faulty ammo. (We were on the far right end of the line.)
My AR is sighted in with a good quality scope...at one of our mini-Appleseeds I used it with its bipod and scored Rifleman...of course, the bipod took all my wobble out of the prone shots, but was actually a handicap in the other positions due to the added weight.
BTW, I'm glad to be a part of the board here...I may not post much but I'll be reading all your contributions.
3rdJohn11
Good to have you.
There was a glut of AK's, SKS's and AK dirivitives (read Galil, made a Rifleman score!) on the line there, more than I had seen at one Appleseed to date.
Either way you go in the fall would be fine, but that aforementioned Ceiner kit would be just PEACHY for ammo costs....
3rdJohn11, I believe you have ID'd yourself with the 'trigger squeeze' comment.
Glad I could be of service.
Always remember, from now until the end of time: when you shoot good, the instructor gets the credit; when you shoot bad, we'll hand you a mirror. :)
Will look forward to seeing you again in October.