Rain, Rain and more Rain, SO WHAT?. We are shooting FULL DISTANCE!
Thanks to Blue Water Sportsman Association. This is one Awesome club! They let us use their 600 yard range, WITH PITS, all weekend.
Congratulations to all the Rifleman and the newest Riflewoman, LEAD AND THREAD! ..:..
My gear is just about dried out, so I guess it is time to get this thread started.
SUBMAN762, Welcome aboard, He is our newest IIT. Huzzah!
Please post pics!
Update: My records show 13 rifleman over the weekend. 13 out of 17 is pretty good.
(https://i.imgur.com/Jh42WUH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ftnh66o.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ik7WX5r.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cPgzrSj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9LF0NoY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WvXB1gt.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3XbaJjY.jpg)
O0
I want to offer up my thanks to everyone whom made this event happen. I was really excited for the opportunity to shoot a longer distance. The cold and rain took its toll on me on Saturday though and I missed Sunday. :(
Congratulations to my wife Lead and Thread for getting her patch.... at a KD of all places. I am so proud to see all the hard work and practice she has put in pay out in such a cool way. Good job hunny.
So many people shot so well, it was such a cool experience to see a true representation of skill and proper application of fundamentals taught by Appleseed. Now I'm off to refine my skills to earn my KD patch!
I will ask LT to post the pictures I took later.
Additionally if anyone would mind spending a minute to send Blue Water an email sharing with them how great the event was or how good of a time you had, it would be greatly appreciated.
http://bwsa.club/about-bwsa/contact-bwsa/ (http://bwsa.club/about-bwsa/contact-bwsa/)
http://bwsa.club/about-bwsa/board-of-directors/ (http://bwsa.club/about-bwsa/board-of-directors/)
Thank you to all the instructors who put in a ton of time and effort to pull this shoot off. You did an amazing job.
I had an absolute blast. It is amazing to me how transferable the skills are from rimfire to centerfire - I was as prepared for this shoot as I could have hoped for - without the ability to practice at those distances beforehand.
The range was really nice, and it was even fun to work the pits. I have no suggestions for how it could have been better, it was amazing.
The part of this shoot that I was the most amazed by was the skill level of the shooters. At a typical 25m event you will have a wide range of skill levels. At this event, every single shooter was highly skilled. I saw some really amazing shooting, by some really outstanding individuals. I don't know what the final count was, but a huge percentage of the participants shot rifleman. It felt like a much higher percentage of the group than normal.
I can't wait for the next one - and I will happily send emails to the members of the board of the range.
Thanks everyone for an absolutely fantastic weekend.
Despite Mother Nature's best efforts, we thumbed our noses at her and had a great weekend. What a great group of shooters, and the instructor cadre certainly brought their "A" game.
Congratulations to all of our Riflemen (and women), and to our new Orange Hat Subman762. We have one more Orange Hat reserved for another certain someone.... &) **)
On with some pics...
Saturday morning pit crew
(https://i.imgur.com/3m6Dwqt.jpg)
Usage of black pasters (left) vs usage of white pasters (right). We would call this "good."
(https://i.imgur.com/0gBp7EB.jpg)
Sunday Riflemen with our esteemed Shoot Boss...
(https://i.imgur.com/L9MHajk.jpg)
Saturday night dinner
(https://i.imgur.com/bcuFEgz.jpg)
On the 500-yard berm on Sunday
(https://i.imgur.com/EADuNtc.jpg)
Group pic
(https://i.imgur.com/0ecywMo.jpg)
Gear transporter, courtesy Superheat
(https://i.imgur.com/H3pnX8m.jpg)
Hammer Forged spotting for the shooters at 600 yards. For context, that tiny little yellow flag in the distance, circled in blue, is the 3'x5' Gadsden flag on the 400-yard berm.
(https://i.imgur.com/FiscIBZ.jpg)
Michigan's newest Orange Hat! Huzzah!
(https://i.imgur.com/QT60PXm.jpg)
What a memorable event - I had a blast! This was my first time shooting beyond 200 yards, and it was exhilarating! Thanks to my Appleseed cadre for giving me the chance to doff the orange hat for a weekend and just enjoy being a wide-eyed shooter again. Putting lead on target from 600 yards is unreal! :snipersmi
I can't complain about the weather - it didn't stop us from doing our thing, just had to give some extra TLC to my gear. There's no way I would have traded that weather for a sweaty 85 degrees and blazing sunshine.
As No Lambo said, working the pits was actually really fun. It was hard not get excited for the shooter you were marking targets for. Appleseed team did a great job preparing all the targets and materials for this shoot.
Excellent points of instruction this weekend too. I really enjoyed the opportunity to put all the Appleseed concepts into practice at known distances. I hope every shooter who is familiar with 25yd events gets the opportunity to experience this someday.
Thanks everyone for a memorable weekend!
(https://i.imgur.com/BjQ0Ij9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FZRgfNh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NbmtNMf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9qELik2.jpg)
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What a great weekend! Rain, cool temps, and some wind thrown in for proper seasoning mixed together with a great group of riflemen and properly stirred together by an outstanding cadre of instructors produced a large batch of KD qualified Rifleman/Riflewomen with only a small number just missing the cut. What can I say about Blue Water Sportsman Association range, it was like a golf course for Rifleman. This range is beautifully kept and maintained and I hope that I will have an opportunity to return here next year for another shot to qualify as a KD Rifleman . I loved it that Jessica earned her first Rifleman patch on her first attempt at KD. Shoot like a girl indeed ! One of our number who qualified Saturday unselfishly gave up his spot on the line Sunday so another who was knocking on the door of a Rifleman score could have another shot to qualify. ITB loaned his AR to another who had his fail so he could qualify at KD. What an outstanding group of like minded people an show of teamwork. After ITB marched us up and down the full distance AQT's Sunday (he got us through the first AQT in 35 minutes) we got to go to the 500 yard line for sighters and then to the 600 yard line for sighters and shots on the steel targets that ITB and Superheat brought with them. What an awesome weekend! It was great getting to see old friends who worked so hard to help me get my first Rifleman patch seven years ago and to meet new ones. HUZZAH HUZZAH HUZZAH !
Sounds like a really fun event. Love those target pits!
I'm doing my first KD this weekend. Any tips for a first timer?
Also, anything you would do different with your equipment?
Backpack or range bag?
What kind of ammo did the AR15s use?
Looks like the rifles have to be cased while moving from line to line, correct?
Hammbone
Quote from: HammBone on November 01, 2018, 09:39:51 AM
Sounds like a really fun event. Love those target pits!
I'm doing my first KD this weekend. Any tips for a first timer?
Also, anything you would do different with your equipment?
Backpack or range bag?
What kind of ammo did the AR15s use?
Looks like the rifles have to be cased while moving from line to line, correct?
Hammbone
Shoot boss has discretion on keeping the event safe. We cased rifles when moving. RSO would double check for safe rifle and then zip up the case. This worked out well when swapping people in and out of the pits. Put your case here, grab your case and go. This worked well for our situation.
Backpack. Travel light! You don't need a shooting mat or a coffee maker with you. Only take the essentials.
I like 62 grain or higher for ARs when shooting full distance. Apply your skills, ask for help when reading the wind. Enjoy.
Superheat.
Pack light. You will be doing a lot of moving, so you don't want to carry any unnecessary gear. I used a backpack and I think that was the way to go, I just wish I had put less stuff in it.
Have enough magazines so you can prep an entire aqt's worth before you start. This will save you a lot of time and aggravation at the line. The pace is brisk, so any time you can save yourself will help you not feel rushed.
Another thing I learned is 30 round mags are no good for this event. I was unable to get my arm properly under the rifle because the mag was in the way. I will have all 10 round mag's for my next event - the instructors and other shooters all seemed to like 20 round mags. I am short, with stubby little Trex arms, so even the 20 round mag's were a little too much.
Pack rain gear - or other appropriate clothing - Appleseed events seem to draw bad weather.
Make sure you have plenty of food and water. I ended up eating while I was working the pits.
Overall - don't bring anything you don't need. You will regret carrying it.
Otherwise, you are in for about as much fun as the law will allow.
A big thanks to Superheat for organizing the weekend on and BWSA for hosting us.What an outstanding weekend.
It was my first time shooting past 200 yards and I had a blast. All the fundamentals at 25 really do directly apply to shooting at 400+ yards, and once I saw the targets were the same size as what I was used to seeing (don't know why I thought they would be different from the scaled targets) you just have to shoot your sighters and go. It was great seeing all the KD tabs being handed out and the dialed in shooters and instructors on the line. I was really impressed that William and DSS were taking a crack with irons and shooting very well, those targets get really little with no magnification.
Can't wait until the next one. :snipersmi
Hammbone:
I was one of the few using a range bag instead of a back pack. I did totally empty it before the weekend and didn't have any issues. I was shooting 55gr wolf gold and it did great out to 600 yards. I did have 6 20 round mags, and a water proof jacket. I need rain pants next time as only half of me was dry.
Btw, Mrsurplus has all the rain gear you will ever need.
Good data folks. My AR15 has a 1:7 20" barrel so it's actually set up for the heavier bullets, BUT I couldn't find anything other than M855 that was affordable. Since I already had 300 rounds of 55 grain Federal I just went for more of that.
I have some great rain gear, but it's camouflage. I know that camo is forbidden when we instruct, but I assume it's OK to wear as a shooter?
I will take a backpack and will borrow a few more smaller capacity mags so I can load a full course of fire. Great tip!
And no shooting mat, eh? I was going to take one, but if you all think no I guess I will not carry it.
Quote from: HammBone on November 01, 2018, 11:18:40 AM
Good data folks. My AR15 has a 1:7 20" barrel so it's actually set up for the heavier bullets, BUT I couldn't find anything other than M855 that was affordable. Since I already had 300 rounds of 55 grain Federal I just went for more of that.
I have some great rain gear, but it's camouflage. I know that camo is forbidden when we instruct, but I assume it's OK to wear as a shooter?
I will take a backpack and will borrow a few more smaller capacity mags so I can load a full course of fire. Great tip!
And no shooting mat, eh? I was going to take one, but if you all think no I guess I will not carry it.
I don't know your set up. Are you going to shoot from the same spot? Or will you be moving? Contact the Shoot Boss.
Quote from: Superheat on November 01, 2018, 11:23:15 AM
I don't know your set up. Are you going to shoot from the same spot? Or will you be moving? Contact the Shoot Boss.
We are moving for each distance.
I brought a mat despite the advice not to. I was happy I brought it.
Superheat is right though - it will depend on your set up. If the targets are stationary and the shooter's are moving, I stand by my advice.
Thanks guys. Really appreciated. I hope to meet some of you all in February when I come up for your IBC.
Here is the link to send out an email to Bluewater if anyone chooses. bluewatersportsmansassociation@gmail.com
First of all, as always, huge thank you to all the instructors who made this event happen, as well as Waveman for getting things set up at the range!! It was really great seeing so many instructors as both instructors and shooters.
And as you can guess, I GOT MY PURPLE PATCH!!!!! I think only my hubby (Tick Wrangler), and Superheat know how badly I've been wanting that patch. (And I've wanted the PURPLE one since the first time Superheat told me he only gives them to girls.)
I've done 4 events now (2 regular, 1 one-day Ladyseed, and now this one). Since the second event, I've been hovering just below Rifleman's score. I've been practicing my booty off, and really trying to apply everything I've learned at Appleseed events. After many rounds, hours, and even some tears, I feel like I finally got the hang of this thing lol. It's an (ironic?) unexpected bonus that I finally got it at the KD. I know I have been around some truly great instructors because the progress I've made between my first event this past April, and this one, is astounding!
I love that I'm starting to see familiar faces at these events. I feel like I've become friends with many of the instructors now. :) ;)
Ok here are some pics in no particular order....
(https://i.imgur.com/3uZlufE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/epHxUGk.jpg)
Admiring my new PURPLE PATCH... :1luvu
(https://i.imgur.com/Th83hbD.jpg)
Reading about Madam Yotnotin
(https://i.imgur.com/xRKC6g1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4GSpW28.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/38giMlD.jpg)
500 Yards
(https://i.imgur.com/4j8pvaq.jpg)
600 Yards
(https://i.imgur.com/BQGjiBd.jpg)
Pit Selfie
(https://i.imgur.com/wtQtJLp.jpg)
Patching Holes
(https://i.imgur.com/XdjR00k.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Yo3PEXr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dSrRmuF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oca07Bk.jpg)
Great Job!!
(https://i.imgur.com/IUzQ8WF.jpg)
Another Great Job!!
(https://i.imgur.com/Clm3DRx.jpg)
Congrats to taking a hat!!
(https://i.imgur.com/G6f9fJZ.jpg)
Hat Switch
(https://i.imgur.com/qA4CzpB.jpg)
Not sure if this will work....
(https://i.imgur.com/IuvyyD5.mp4)
(https://i.imgur.com/BPJ0wil.mp4)
Quote from: LeadNthread on November 01, 2018, 09:09:10 PM
Not sure if this will work....
(https://i.imgur.com/IuvyyD5.mp4)
(https://i.imgur.com/BPJ0wil.mp4)
Guess it didn't....
One more try.... It's just a little video from both 500 and 600 yards. If this doesn't work then you'll have to check out my Instagram lol
https://imgur.com/IuvyyD5
https://imgur.com/BPJ0wil
Quote from: HammBone on November 01, 2018, 09:39:51 AM
Sounds like a really fun event. Love those target pits!
I'm doing my first KD this weekend. Any tips for a first timer?
Also, anything you would do different with your equipment?
Backpack or range bag?
What kind of ammo did the AR15s use?
Looks like the rifles have to be cased while moving from line to line, correct?
Hammbone
Throwing in my 2 cents about the shooting mat...
My opinion of course.... I took mine and didn't regret it. It wasn't hard to carry since its light and folds up quickly. I also didn't feel rushed because I had it. I got things packed up and was ready to move to the next position without anyone having to wait on me.
I also second getting enough 10 round mags to prep an entire AQT at once. Huge time saver!!
Something else Tick Wrangler and I did, that was super helpful, was we marked our mags as "2" "8" and "10" so that I knew exactly how many rounds we were picking up. We just marked the bottom of the mags with different colored tape, then wrote the number on the tape.
Good luck and have fun!
Quote from: Superheat on October 31, 2018, 09:49:01 AM
Update: My records show 13 rifleman over the weekend.
Hmmm, now where have I heard that number come up in Appleseed. ;)
Awesome weekend. Good to see so many familiar faces and meet some new folks as well!
Quote from: LeadNthread on November 01, 2018, 09:30:09 PM
Quote from: HammBone on November 01, 2018, 09:39:51 AM
Sounds like a really fun event. Love those target pits!
I'm doing my first KD this weekend. Any tips for a first timer?
Also, anything you would do different with your equipment?
Backpack or range bag?
What kind of ammo did the AR15s use?
Looks like the rifles have to be cased while moving from line to line, correct?
Hammbone
Throwing in my 2 cents about the shooting mat...
My opinion of course.... I took mine and didn't regret it. It wasn't hard to carry since its light and folds up quickly. I also didn't feel rushed because I had it. I got things packed up and was ready to move to the next position without anyone having to wait on me.
I also second getting enough 10 round mags to prep an entire AQT at once. Huge time saver!!
Something else Tick Wrangler and I did, that was super helpful, was we marked our mags as "2" "8" and "10" so that I knew exactly how many rounds we were picking up. We just marked the bottom of the mags with different colored tape, then wrote the number on the tape.
Good luck and have fun!
Agreed about the shooting mat - I really appreciated having mine in both KD shoots I've done. And smart to have enough mags for an entire AQT and mark them, though I did mine a little differently: I used two 20-round mags (unmarked) loaded with 2 rounds each for the mag change stages. My thinking was to give extra weight to drop free & give something to grab a hold of if they didn't. Then two 10-round mags (unmarked) loaded with 8 rounds, then two 10 round mags loaded with 10 rounds, marked with a "10". I used a silver Sharpie - nearly permanent and showed up really well.
LeadNThread - thank you for capturing a photo of my target! They are a little hard to see from 600 yards. ^:)^
Re: shooting mats - I carried mine and I was glad I had it. I was wet enough without laying on the soggy grass. You just need to be expeditious with your equipment when you're done shooting. Get an RSO to clear you rifle as soon as you're done so that you can case it. Then get your mat rolled up quickly and head to the next shooting position, LEAVE YOUR RIFLE CASED, and start prepping mags. It worked out fine.
We are getting ready to start day 2. The tips really helped. My first attempt got me the LONG DISTANCE rocker with a 224. I followed that with a 233. The range here is a mudpit. We ended taking huge tarps and putting over the 200 and 300 yard lines. I was able to leave my muddy mat at the 400 and just carry my rifle and an ammo box. I had enough mags to have a full AQT prepped. Excellent tip. We were allowed to sling our safe rifles and carry them so that was nice. Out of the 16 shooters, 11 have already qualified. We have some real talent here this weekend. Here's the group after AQT #1.
Follow-up: Qualified 5 of 5 with 224-233-237-238-225. Only 2 points from distinguished. Next time!
Quote from: LeadNthread on November 01, 2018, 09:01:24 PM
Another Great Job!!
(https://i.imgur.com/Clm3DRx.jpg)
Just an FYI for those that remember - the rifle used by Grindstone was the rifle built by committee at the 2017 IBC.
Ammo used was Federal XM193 brown box. So 55-grain can be effective at 600 yards.
Quote from: ITB on November 04, 2018, 10:44:24 AM
Quote from: LeadNthread on November 01, 2018, 09:01:24 PM
Another Great Job!!
(https://i.imgur.com/Clm3DRx.jpg)
Just an FYI for those that remember - the rifle used by Grindstone was the rifle built by committee at the 2017 IBC.
Ammo used was Federal XM193 brown box. So 55-grain can be effective at 600 yards.
Is that a 16 In barrel?
Quote from: Tick Wrangler on November 05, 2018, 05:03:49 PM
Quote from: ITB on November 04, 2018, 10:44:24 AM
Quote from: LeadNthread on November 01, 2018, 09:01:24 PM
Another Great Job!!
Just an FYI for those that remember - the rifle used by Grindstone was the rifle built by committee at the 2017 IBC.
Ammo used was Federal XM193 brown box. So 55-grain can be effective at 600 yards.
Is that a 16 In barrel?
20" LaRue Stealth barrel.
This KD Event was an outstanding experience and a great two days of shooting (well…one and half days for me …). I would like to thank Superheat and ITB for lining up a loaner rifle and IntheBurbs for allowing me to use his personal rifle and ammunition on Day 2 for the two AQT's. It was a frustrating day on Saturday watching the sand run out of the proverbial hour glass as the problems with my rifle compounded. However, it didn't really diminish the day as my colleagues shot Rifleman and I worked the pits downrange, something I didn't count on enjoying as much as I did.
Sunday was a little drier and maybe a touch warmer. Highlights were running and learning an ACOG over the course of the 25 yard sight in, sighters and first AQT, making my shooting neighbors wince in concussive agony with ITB's muzzle break AND getting my Known Distance patch on the 2nd and last AQT! Finally I got to witness a class act of marksmanship in the pits scoring Superheat's target and watching him nail the V ring from 400 yards repeatedly. Hearing that crack while watching the holes appear in a target directly above your head is pretty cool.
There was high level of skill on display at this event. Watching my fellow shooters and seeing their results at 25, 100 yards and in the pits was impressive. As my first KD event, I wondered to myself if the skills at 25 meters with a rimfire were really transferrable. Turns out they are!!
Thanks to the instructors for what was a really fun, challenging, and enjoyable two days of shooting. Also my thanks to the Blue Water Sportsman Association for letting us use the 600 yard range (emails have been sent to the general address as well as Chairman and President).
It was a memorable weekend with a great group and a lot of fun. I know this won't be my last KD event.