Project Appleseed

After Action Reports! => After Action Reports => Topic started by: TaosGlock on May 12, 2014, 08:51:08 PM

Title: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 12, 2014, 08:51:08 PM
BlueFeather and I just got in from another fantastic Project Appleseed 3 day event.
We just missed a major winter storm by hours, but shooters endured 3 days of a combination of cold sunny days, wind to 30 MPH and cold temps on the last day.

This was another awesome 3 day KD event, our 7th at this particular range, held at the NRA's Whittington Center in Raton, NM.
10 fantastic Americans who have attended a previous Appleseed arrived for this Part 2 Advanced Appleseed.
We got 5 KD Riflemen at this event. :~

The initial 25 yard sight in line on the morning of day 1.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/844/qbsi.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ngqbsij)

Checking the results from the initial 25 yard sight in.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/835/04nx.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n704nxj)

A view towards the 400 yard AQT targets. Cowgirl 51 and John shooting.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/842/s1x9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nes1x9j)

The 400 yard line:
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/845/lpob.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nhlpobj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/839/dhm3.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nbdhm3j)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/836/yg7u.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n8yg7uj)

Instructors Long Rifle and Cowboy Harper at the 400 yard line:
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/837/e3bk.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n9e3bkj)

The wide open spaces along the Santa Fe Trail at the NRA's Whittington Center Coors Range make this the Nation's ultimate Project Appleseed KD range.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/835/wehb.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n7wehbj)

Lady Luck was with us as we just squeaked in before the storm hit northern New Mexico.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/842/qmqe.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/neqmqej)

More details and pics later...

Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: Long Rifle on May 13, 2014, 02:15:16 PM
Had a great time instructing at this event. Keep practicing the things you worked so hard on over the 3 days.

Look forward to seeing you at the next KDC.
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 13, 2014, 04:04:17 PM
After the initial sight in, we start right into the POI. BlueFeather and Cowboy Harper on the opening POI of Target Detection.

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/838/30h2.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/na30h2j)

Where are those pesky hidden targets?
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/842/s3tq.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nes3tqj)

We get creative with cammo and blend objects, not me!, in with their surroundings using items like a Western Diamondback model and metal garbage can lid! Later we will range them with our front sight or scope reticle.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/839/rtur.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nbrturj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/838/hwy3.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nahwy3j)

How big are those hidden targets according to your front sight or reticle based on Mils or MOA's?
Long Rifle explains front sight measurement and later we set up a method/exercise to measure front sight/reticle spacing in MOA's or Mils.
The ten or so targets for detection/range estimation are placed at non 100 yard intervals between 247 yards to 710 yards.
Students then range the same targets, part 2 of this exercise, and record the data.
Later they will determine how accurate they were using the standard ranging formula.

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/834/0q74.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n60q74j)

This event is much about instruction as it is actual shooting. Just look at that gorgeous classroom! Long Rifle instructs.

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/839/ilef.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nbilefj)

NMMI9100 explains the wind clock.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/842/4rsee.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ne4rseej)

Long Rifle, BlueFeather and NMMI9100 discuss the next plan.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/841/jw8y.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ndjw8yj)

The "fast and furious" Stage 3 (300 yards) of the AQT which requires the shooter to start from standing and go to prone, insert a mag, fire 2 rounds, do a mag change and fire 8 more rounds on the same 300 yard AQT target in about a minute. It is important to keep your forward/support elbow from moving during the mag change lest you lose your 'natural point of aim'.
[IMG]http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/835/9cbh.jpg[/

More to follow....








(https://imageshack.com/i/n79cbhj)
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 13, 2014, 04:23:47 PM
Project Appleseed is well represented at the National Rifle Association's Whittington Center. This is at the entrance to the main building where all will pass thru.

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/839/vxuj.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nbvxujj)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/836/44r0.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n844r0j)

The 4 MOA squares at 200 and 300 yards. Others were also at 100 and 400.
Shooters use these for initial pre-AQT sight ins and to determine their come ups based on their rifle, not a generic set bandied about on the internet.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/844/nded.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ngndedj)

The shooters record their hits to gather valuable data and make a range card specific to their rifle and load.
And eventually use this data for the AQT's on day 3.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/835/sko5.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n7sko5j)

That's right, don't forget those come ups or come downs depending on stage. These shooters in prep are doing just that!
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/839/tovd.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nbtovdj)

Tools of the Rifleman. Lots of M1A's and AR 15's!

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/844/wso7.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ngwso7j)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/839/u0zl.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nbu0zlj)

Smile, you are a Rifleman with the ultimate rifle/cartridge combo. The M1 Garand/30-06!
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/841/ngeo.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ndngeoj)

A Rifleman's tool box contains many of these...among other things:
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/845/6fp9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nh6fp9j)

More to come...
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 13, 2014, 05:09:07 PM
A line like this on a KD event means logistics can make or break an event's efficiency.
BlueFeather and NMMI9100 handle the line.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/843/xayh.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nfxayhj)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/836/e4ah.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n8e4ahj)

Long Rifle gives last minute tips....
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/836/he0m.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n8he0mj)

The target backers at all ranges are marked with color/shapes to help prevent crossfire.
Like here at the 400 yard line where we run 2 relays.

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/834/mqb2p.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n6mqb2pj)

Below, the firing line for the 100-300 yard line is the same and is marked on the bench next to the shooter.
This corresponds to the 100-300 yard backers that the shooters shoot.
If you are shooting orange horizontal stripe at 100, then you shoot 200 and 300 orange horizontal stripe as well.
Thus the line moves quickly and efficiently from stage to stage after being cleared.
Shooters leave the mats but only move rifles and ammo/mags needed for the next stage

We run the 100, 200 and 300 yards stages at the same time starting with stage 1, then stage 3 and finally stage 2.
Stage 2 and 3 start from standing and go to seated and prone respectively, then do a mag change which is prepped standard 2/8.
Everyone ends on the same ceasefire.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/834/7rvnk.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n67rvnkj)

Below, whenever possible, 30 cal and 223 shooters are paired on the same target to further increase efficiency.
Cowgirl 51 (AR-15) and and John (M1A) score and paste bullet holes.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/843/w3ba.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nfw3baj)

Stage 4 is similar but we run it in relays. Due to the high 300 yard berm, we have to move to a different locale 100 yards away.
We use 2 trucks so it will go super fast. One is for rifles, one for mats. Hey that rhymes! %)

More to follow...
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: BlueFeather on May 14, 2014, 02:48:40 PM
Awesome event and a fantastic write-up as always.. Thanks everyone for coming!

/G
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 15, 2014, 03:40:46 PM
To save time at the longer ranges some shooters like John rode his mountain bike to the target, others used an ATV.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/845/q1mp.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nhq1mpj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/838/6ww7.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/na6ww7j)

I used my truck to transport rifles and mats.

A big thanks to IIT1 Cowboy Harper for his work in letting all the shooters pile up in his huge truck.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/844/lknd.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nglkndj)
We got a record 3 full distance AQT's done this time! Logistics vary from range to range.

Shooters in prep:
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/834/emef5.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n6emef5j)

NMMI9100, Christian and IIT1 Cowgirl 51...she shot all 3 days.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/842/xrsa.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nexrsaj)

Shooters on the the 400 yard AQT's
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/838/lhcf.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/nalhcfj)

More to come....
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 15, 2014, 07:22:18 PM
After 3 long days, we got 5 Rifleman: NMMI9100, Cowboy Harper, Greg, Mac and John (not pictured).
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/842/36u4.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ne36u4j)

topcat, an IIT from CO is a Navy and Marine vet and knows his way around the M14/M1A.
He also started a newspaper in response to one that did not fit the needs of Lady Liberty in his small town of Westcliff, CO. :~ So.....

After hours, long after the shooters left, we did some M1A rifle cleaning at the gunsmith benches far away from the main staging area and behind the buildings.

Below, topcat took apart our LRB M1A's and cleaned the gas piston. Turns out the gas cylinder locks did not time right so he showed us a fix. Thanks topcat! topcat is a Navy and Marine vet who knows his way around the M14 rifle and it was an honor to have him share his knowledge.
My gas system, when put back together and fully cleaned shot a whopping 4 MOA high! What a difference!
NMI9100's son, Walker looks on.  3 generations of Rifleman!

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/834/7hsa.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n67hsaj)
Title: Re: 3 Day KD RBC NRA Whittington Center Raton, NM May 9-11, 2014
Post by: TaosGlock on May 15, 2014, 07:43:41 PM
Alas, this event was much too short.

Homeland security is a Nation of Riflemen!

A big thanks to the shooters who came out to shoot our 3 Day KD Event!
Thanks Greg for letting me shoot the 2 MOA 925 yard plate 3/3 times with your Howa 1500-that baby is accurate! :~

A big thanks to our ALL VOLUNTEER Instructor crew: topcat, Cowboy Harper, NMMI9100, Long Rifle and my wonderful wife of 26 years, BlueFeather.
You guys are all a testimony to our instructor staff!

A hearty thanks to the NRA Whittington Center staff for allowing us to use this range for this field expedient riflery course.
The Coors Range is private to the public.

Our next events are:
2 Day Appleseed on Aug 23-24 followed by another 3 day KD event on Sept. 12-14, 2014.

Pssst-we have a 3 day in the works for Gunnison, CO-stay tuned as it is not listed.

And as always, sign up early as spaces at this range fill fast!

Thanks!
Dan