Project Appleseed

Another Texas Appleseed is in the bag. We had a great time, fourteen shooters took the plunge in the Appleseed pool. Saturday was just beautiful, sunny with temps in the seventies and a nice brisk (20-30 knot) wind.

We had eight instructors for the group so there was a a two to one student to instructor ratio which made getting the instruction to the students a lot easier and more time with the students translated to more progress made at a faster pace.

Two Riflemen were made by the end of day on Sunday despite even stronger wind (25-35 knots, see the pic of the flag about to rip loose) and four more were in the 195-205 range, so we had about 50% of the students above the 195 mark on Sunday. Two of the students signed on as IITs and all vowed to return on April 19th to help us honor the men and women of Lexington, Concord and Battle Road.

It was nice to have such a small group as it will be the last one we see for a while, if ever again. The new red hats (and orange hats) did a wonderful job and are cooking up nicely. Very proud to have these fellow instructors here in Texas (and one on loan from Indiana too). Thanks to all who came as students and as instructors, my faith in our future grows with every event.

 

Yes Sir

This was another great Appleseed at Scout's place.

First , my good friend Rusty (Tracerfire) who I met at the Davilla Nov. 2007 Bootcamp, called and said he was flying to Houston from Indiana.  I met Rusty at the airport on Thursday and we were off to Scout's Friday morning.

Friday around noon some of the Instructors fired the AQT and helped get the range ready.

Saturday we had some new folks show up as well as some old friends.  The small group gave me a chance to run around the range and meet everyone there.

Brett did a great job calling the line all day Saturday.  He was really active during this Appleseed.  Scout assigned some of us to perform different tasks so he could evaluate us, and the rest the Instructors filled in as needed.

Chris (golfer) was there with his son's Chris II and James.  I was truly impressed with both of these young men.  Chris II is in the Marine Corp ROTC program and his shooting would do Chesty Puller proud.  I think Chris II topped out at 205, not bad.

I have written about James before.  He's 11 years and quite a gentleman.  A very well spoken young man and just like his father and brother, he too is a heck of a shot.  James toped out at 197!

A new friend, Romi attended the Appleseed with her father's .22 cal Marine Corp training rifle.  Scout, myself and many others drooled over this rifle.  By the end of the event, she topped out at 183.

Sleepy Joe brought his daughter Gloria and his son Josh and their friend Michael.  Gloria and Josh were both sporting their new mohawks.  Scout posted a cool picture of Josh in the standing position, it reminds me of the Road Warrior.

Sunday I was on the right side of the line all day with Rusty.  Due to the small crowd, we only had Big D and Ron to work with.  Both are great guys.  I know Rusty and I had a good time.

By the end of the Appleseed, Ron and Chris sr had both made Rifleman.   Congratulations! 

I think by the end of the summer, if not sooner, Chris sr will have a family of Riflemen.

This pretty much does it for me, thanks to all those who attended.  Thank you to my fellow Instructors and a BIG THANKS to Scout!

                                                                                   Mark

P.S.

Dean, Doug and Groundhog.  Hope to see you next time, you were missed.

So, who has the picture of the Marine Corps training rifle? 

Enquiring minds want to know.



Buckshot

   Izat Big D sporting an AR?  What is this world coming to? 

   Great posts guys, makes me wish I was there!  Congrats on another great TX shoot.  Lots of good things happening out there. Maybe you can spare some good men to come over to SC and drag some folks off the couch?  JB

Quote from: Buckshot on March 18, 2008, 05:39:45 AM
So, who has the picture of the Marine Corps training rifle? 

Enquiring minds want to know.



Buckshot

I don't know what happened to the picture of her rifle. It was a   US Rifle MC-58 .22 Long Rifle Harrington & Richardson (Marine Garand Trainer). Marked with Marine Corps markings. .22 caliber and automatic. Single stack 10 round magazines I didn't handle it and I did not see a bolt handle anywhere obvious. There was a bolt release on the right side right behind the ejection port. The barrel was a big long bull barrel. The sights appeared to be very sophisticated target sights. The finish was nice,a phosphate kind of finish that looked like it had just come out of a shipping box from the armory. It was absolutely beautiful. Her grandfather had given it to her.

Scout,
           I can't tell you how much I appreciate your words of encouragement and advice on helping to get my rifle club to commit to an Appleseed weekend event. As you know, I've hit a few snags but I'll do my very best to secure at least one weekend for 2008.
        Even though I shot like my eyes were permanently crossed this past weekend, it's always good to be at an RWVA event. I'm always impressed with the people that instruct as well as those that participate. I guess a bad day at an RWVA event is better than a good day practically anywhere else!

Rusty,
           You have the patience of a Saint, thank you for all the expert instruction Sir. You weeded out ton of my problems which included everything from using a mixed batch of .22 ammo, draggin wood, diagnosing a bad magazine/feed problems to sling issues and to the endless array of puzzling shot groups which you expertly diagnosed...all with a smile. I've brain-dumped as many of your hints and tips to paper as I can so I have reference material; I have a lot practicing to do before Davilla in April.

Best Regards,

NM

Excuse the late reply, but I've been under the weather.

Don't really have much to add, other than I had yet another great weekend in Davilla. There's something about being with such a great group of like-minded folks, all pulling in the same direction and getting this ship bailed out that, like Scout, I feel a little better about the country's direction every time I go up there.

All the instructors were fantastic and it was great to see Rusty again, whom I hadn't seen since my first AS back in November. If The Guy would grace us with his presence again, then all the better. The weekend was run like we'd all been working together for years instead of a few months. Special thanks to Scout for hosting and inspiring all of us to do more today than we did yesterday.

We're lighting a fire down here and I'm darn glad to be even a small part of it.

Hope to see everyone back in April as well as a ton of new faces. Get some new riflemen and some more instructors. Can't wait!

I got to shoot that little USMC training rifle and it's sweet!

I'll be seeing you mugs in April.  With any luck, towing my new RV trailer this time...

It was good to be among riflemen again! We had small but high quality group of shooters. A couple had never fired a rifle in there life (they can't say THAT anymore... )

Here's some photos I took last Sunday...







"Special Guest Appearance by Rusty" - Good to see ya again!







Like Mark said  - The Road Warrior:





I am always impressed when a lady shows up to learn to shoot.



Scout did a really good job getting through to the younger shooters. He has some mojo I haven't developed (yet).







I'm looking forward to the next time!

Quote from: Sir Not Appearing In This Film on March 20, 2008, 03:26:00 PM
Scout did a really good job getting through to the younger shooters. He has some mojo I haven't developed (yet).

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Five little girls

Oh man, sad to have missed Russ!  What is up with those orange hats though?