I attended my first Appleseed at Ramseur on Dec 13 - 14, and I made Rifleman !! Thank you to all who worked this Appleseed to provide us with the opportunity to learn about our history and develop our marksmanship.
This is my first rifle ... I picked up on the Appleseed concept while surfing YouTube, checked out the Appleseed website, and was inspired to get myself a LTR, and more importantly, learn how to use it. I got myself a Rugger 10-22 Carbine, (hey, only $180, right?), set it up w/ a web sling, and the most excellent Tech Sights TSR200 sights. I studied up on YouTube to learn the right way to break her in and clean her. Then off to the range for a safety class. I decided on the Wake County public range. Price is right, but the drive down from North Raleigh can be a nasty hour - plus - in traffic. I had fun breaking in the barrel. I spent a lot of time cleaning the barrel, and got some funny looks from the passerby's: "Gee, you aren't SHOOTIN' much, are you?". (one shot) "Nope" (Safety, drop mag, locked back and clear, cleaning rod, solvent, swab, brush, swab, swab, swab, release the bolt, load mag, safety) and (one shot). Repeat. And repeat, again. I'm pretty sure I could hear them thinking as they walked away, shaking their head, "all that for a .22LR ?".
For THIS .22 ? Absolutely. I made that poor gun counter guy open up EIGHT Ruggers until I found the grain pattern on the stock that whispered in my ear: "It's ME, boy; I'm your girl". Still makes me smile thinking about it while I'm writing this. I had her set up with the Tech200 w/ standard .062 dia aperture for the break in, but later saw (yes, on YouTube), the Tech Sights Insert Ready Aperture System. I ordered, they delivered, I installed, and then back to the range to re-zero the rifle. Which I did, the night before the Appleseed shoot at Ramseur.
When I showed up at the Ramseur range I was greeted by a smiling, enthusiastic lady in an orange hat. Later I understood about the hat, but what struck me right off was the friendly enthusiasm here. I am a nube. From a mile away, I am a NUBE. When I was shopping for this rifle, some gun counter guys were OK, but a lot were less than friendly. When I showed up at the range, I was eager, but I was also wondering how this weekend would go. What I found was a confident group of people who were passionate about what they were showing us. Enthusiasm is contagious, and I connected with what these people were telling us. Our History, and the importance of the actions of One Committed Person. The Rifle, IF you know how to use it effectively. That weekend the volunteers at Appleseed gave me something that I can value very highly. I came away with a confidence in me and my rifle I did not expect to find. With the sure, expert, and sometimes stern advice of one teacher, I made a score of 210 and was proud to receive my Rifleman patch. And a christening from Hornblower. I came away with something else, too. I WILL learn how to score hits out to 500 yards.
This is going to be a good journey.
O0
-gb
Attitude makes all the difference! Congratulations on your embarkation down the path of a Rifleman.
A lovely write up, but then look at his preparation to shoot just a 22LR, wait until he gets his M1A or M1 Garand. He will be awesome. O0
Did he fill out the questionnaire? There must be two others like him out there, and we should get both of them.
Welcome to Liberty, Schooner. :cool2:
HUZZAH! Welcome aboard mate! You have set sail on a grand adventure I hope at some port of call that you decide to become one of those smiling, friendly orange hats. Thanks for taking the time to write this up and post it. O0
UL
A great reminder of why any of us are here. Thanks for posting!
Great write-up! It's my honor to shoot with riflemen like you! :---
Hey Schooner, if you are who I think you are (from N. Raleigh) do you have by any chance a range card at the Wake Co Firearms Training Facility? I'm the guy from 5-points that earned Rifleman on Sat.
I do, I think it's worth it and will be using the rifle lanes to reinforce my Appleseed training in the lead-up to spring competitions. They have 9 rifle lanes @ 100 yds and more at 50. There is one standing/sitting/prone lane, but they will let you shoot prone the lanes where they have benches.
We had another former Vermonter on the lines all weekend and I never heard about this? How could such a thing happen?
Congrats to all of our new riflemen! I don't think I've been at an event before with such a high percentage of shooters earning the patch. And what a great bunch of folks. I look forward to seeing you all again.
Congratulations!
I will be (hopefully) going to the event on Boone next weekend. This weekend I hope to be on the Wake County range practising. I did order a sling but do not know when it will show up. I might have to go slingless if I want to get any range time.
If anyone wants to meet up at that range and help me out, I would appreciate.
Dalek --
Of course I will meet up with you and we can work on our marksmanship. I've got some AS targets, too! Should be a great time.
I'll pm you tonight and we can talk about slings, swivel studs, and schedules.
The Wake County Public Range is a very nice INDOOR facility. Any others want to meet up, reply here or PM me.
Fair winds ~~~ Schooner
O0 ..:..