Project Appleseed

Ridgecrest California.
A beautiful town in the desert with a rilferange to match.
One of the best ranges that I have seen, in fact.
Covered lanes, steel out to 600 yard. The range we used was over one hundred yards long with a cement pad.
The people of that town are truly bless that someone worked so hard to build it. (I was told the approval process took seven years!)

Unfortunatly the turn out was less than we could have wished.
On the bright side- Instructor to student ratio was excellent.

The weather was just as good as anyone could wish for. 70-80 degrees and not too much wind.

The day started with a safety brief, and introduction.
The dreaded Redcoats were our first course of fire.
And with typical results.
But, as we say, every journey has a beginning point.

One inch squares followed with points of instruction after every course of fire.
This is what everyone calls drinking from he fire hose of knowledge, and with very good reason.

Once everyone had their rifles zeroed it was on the the AQT.

Everone was able to shoot good groups no one shoot consistantly enough to score Rifleman the first day.

One local gentleman had optic issues. He shoot better when he dismounted the offending glass, but by that time fatigue and frustation had taken their toll. Unfortuately he didn't return for Sundays shoot.

Another local guy showed up with a brand new SA M1A. He shot very creditably and learned a lot. He was not scheduled to come back on Sunday, but he rearranged things and returned! That's the Rifleman spirit. I believe that he was knocking on the door, and will soon earn his patch.

Earthman92 and his son drove up from the San Deigo county to attend. Both used their CMP Garands.
It is always wonderful to see a father son team.
They are both so close to becoming Riflemen, and this was their third Appleseed.

John C. Bobcat was able to make it on Sunday. A very personable young man who used his Grandfrathers shooting coat to good effect.
He started the day by shooting tiny groups with his Garand. Then the Gremlins set in and his clips started ejecting prematuely. After using borrwed clips his rifle started having trouble. This fellow is a real shooter and stuck with it to the end. But fatiuge and frustration took their toll yet again.

The STAR of the Ridgecrest event was Arc. A young man who was absolutey focused on his goal of acheiveing Rifleman status.
With a borrowed LTR he began to shoot.
And with every course of fire and every point of instruction he improved steadily.
But, he wasn't to acheive it on the first day. That AQT is no easy feat.

Here is where I break continuity and tell of the events of Saterday evening.
After every thing was taken down, packed away, and most everone had left,  we were discussing dinner plans. Francis Marion speaks up and says, "Why don't we ring some steel?"
Well, I don't have to tell anyone how tired you can be after one day of Appleseed.
But FM persisted!
So all of the insrtuctors went to the long range side of the line, along with Arc.
Out come the Battle Rilfes!
This was my first time firing out to 600 yards. I loved it!!!
The joy of firing a shot, the lag time, and then the sound of ringing steel!! Whooooo Hooooooo!!!!!
And Arc was right there with us. He tried everones rifle and rang steel with all of them!!
He even rang steel with a Garand shooting off hand at 300 yrds. Very impressive.

Sunday was a great day. Beautiful weather again.
Arc scored Rifleman not once or twice but four times!

Everyone worked hard. Everyone impoved.
Lots persistance was shown.
But, no one else earned their patch.
The time always flies by.

Thanks to everone who attended. I will remember it for a very long time.


I hope to return to Ridgecrest soon.

I wish I could have made it for Saturday also.

Fortunately, thanks to Bob210, I've found the gremlin in my rifle: a worn-out clip latch spring. Once we swapped Bob's into my M1, it worked fine, and the spring from mine was noticeably shorter than his.
So, off to one of the vendors to order a replacement!


Next time, less frustration on my part. 

I had a blast, despite the equipment issues, the weather was wonderful, and the instruction, history, and AQTs were worth the 8-9 hours of driving. I'd do it again--and I hope to, someday soon. (And I'll bring some friends)

My thanks to Bob, Serf, Francis, Hollywood--am I forgetting anyone? I hope not!--for the excellent instruction and coaching, many congratulations to Arc for his excellent shooting and achievement of Rifleman scores, and hopes to see more of the RWVA/Appleseed "gang" the next time I'm at an event.

Some photos.

And some more.

More still.

Where would you be on Saturday if you had a beautiful 600 yard rifle range six miles from town that cost $25 per year to use?
There shooting, to be sure. 
How unusual that except for a handful of intrepid Appleseeders, the remaining 90% of the rifle range sat vacant. 
Empty, on Saturday AND Sunday, beneath blue skies simply made for the sizzle-crack of rifle bullets!
Freedom certainly rang on Appleseed weekend. 
This program sure works, folks.  In the span of one weekend, a willing student metamorphosed to Rifleman before our eyes.  Didn't let the obstacle of not owning a rifle deter him.  Drove a considerable distance. 
Resolved, strove and achieved.  Well done.
Appleseed left more freedom in its wake than was before. 
Left more people in town likely to use that range than were before. 
The country strengthened, and the Heritage was bolstered a bit over Appleseed weekend. 
"So, what did you do over the weekend?"
"Oh, quite a lot really, for our country and way of life.  You see, I went to the rifle range with friends..."
Friends, thanks for the effort. 
Bob, Koolaid, SoCal and Kim, Hollywood Marine, the Scotts, Andy, John C, Eric and Gary- perseverance, Liberty, and excellence in your shooting always. 
Pleasure to labor last weekend in Freedom's orchard.

 

Sounds like a good time was had by all, sorry I had to miss out.

Ridgecrest looks like a great range,

Thanks for posting the pictures Socalserf, it made me feel like I was there.

Heck, I could almost smell the powder.

Congratulations Arc, for scoring Rifleman.

Arc,

Appleseed will certainly get you there.

Again, Congratulations on your accomplishments.

~SS

Arc,

Great shooting, Sir.

socalserf,

Very nice pics.  Thanks.


Appears to be a heckuva nice range and from the pics looks like a good time was had by all.

All photos, and being able to post them are due to the efforts of Mrs. socaserf.
I'm still a recovering techno-phobe!

The best line from the weekend;
Kool Aid was wringing out his '03-A3 and got too close to the reciever cutting himself several times.
Francis Marion commented," Kool Aid cutting himself is a desperate cry for help!" Is it time for an intervention?

Savage Shootr, We did miss you.
I have said it before, one of the best parts of being at an Appleseed is being aroung like minded people.
People who share your love for the country and care enough to do somehting about it.
God bless you all.

One more item.
Sunday morning before Arc got his Rifleman patch he was already working on the Seventh Step.
At breakfast he gave our waitress, who shoots trap, a flyer for Appleseed.
Shamelessly recruiting.
What would Fred do, indeed.
WWFD-love it!

I'm sure you told my buddy Kool Aid that it didn't matter how much blood he leaked on to the 03A3 that the only thing that would make is shoot a rifleman score was following the Six Steps and getting his NPOA. 

Rifles are pretty unsympathetic unless you are doing your part.  Kind of like a good hunting dog, except the rifle can't start hanging around with the guy that always makes the shot and gets the game like your dog will if you don't do your part.

03-A3: Cut myself? how about joe louis hits you in the nose. Blood, chunks of flesh, very dramatic. It was nice to have a student instructor ration that allowed for some line time. Haven't had as much of that as I used to.

But the song remains the same: gear is gear. you gotta wring it out to see what you really have, uncover the issues and deal with them. I don't care if it is an LTR or a space invaders AR, it is one of the realities of what we are about here.

Then we put a rube goldburg butt extension on there with the 'west coast white' duct tape, and things went alot better for me. Another skill set aquired, at personal peril.

Ridgecrest is a range without the usual 'attracts a magnet' restrictions, so Glory made the trip along with a decent supply of Lake City '06. And this wasn't the first time I have bled on that rifle. I just wasn't going to give up on it. So it goes.

As far as the shoot goes:

It was nice to have almost as many instructors as students. Made for a nice down home feel.
Nice range, and the area isn't exactly like the rest of california. On the drive up there was a liquor store with a huge sign that said "AMMO". Nice.


Serf, it was nice to meet the adult supervison in you life. You are blessed there.
Bob: as ever, you are the sin ne que non (with out which, nothing else) of california appleseed.
Paco (AKA Francis Marion): It was a privilage to meet your folks, and to witness your skill at talking targets
ARC: What can I say? God has gifted you with natural talent which is kind of rare. It was a pleasure to meet you and break bread with you. Here is hoping to see a whole lot more of you at RWVA-WEST in Piru. Mike Thompson will love to meet you.

Earthman & Son: thank you for making the long drive to continue your good work on taming the bull. I distinctly remember seeing a plethora of rifleman's groups on your end of the line.

E: nice choice in rifle. M1A is the way to go, if you can afford to feed it. I think you will grow to love yours as I have come to love mine.

Hollywood USMC: Ships passing at Walmart. Classic. See you this week to pick up my gear.

Family matters dictated my missing sunday. Y'all were in good hands I was sure.

Here is to 30 next time.
KA out

Gosh, it sounds like KA needed a nurse and me nowhere in the area. Sorry about that KA, next time I will bring the suture kit. 
Socalserf, I am sorry I missed out on meeting Mrs. Socalserf, it is always nice to have a female around. You guys need the supervision (KA's word).  I hope to meet her next time out.

I can not believe that I missed the 3rd CA Appleseed.  I will have to say that reading all the after action reports, from around the country, they are getting boring.  New shooters can't express how great the event was and will attend the next one, seasoned shooters can't believe how bad they were at shooting before the weekend and will go again,  and how everyone can't thank the instructors enough, and it goes on and on.
Doesn't anyone hate this program?  Or at least have some whinning issues about the facilities or weather?

What a refreshing thing to be involved in.  Go Schiocton WI May 24.

Colycat

   All the fun of Corona without the poo!  Man, I sure wish I'd been at this one. Thanks for the pics and AAR!  Congrats on the patches! Send Riflemen to SC!  JB

DesertDog..aka Erik here.  What a weekend!!  I learned more about marksmanship in 1 day...forget 2...than I did as a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army for 8 years.  We focused on C4 more than marksmanship .  I ordered a set of TSR200 sights for my 10/22.  I WILL qualify Rifleman at the next Ridgecrest shoot.  I just want to throw a shout out to some of the folks that showed up.

Bob210: It was a honor to meet and learn from you, thank you for loaning me the 10/22 on Sun.  Also, I was humbled that you had me clearing the line on Sunday.

Koolaid: As soon as I saw you laughing as blood running was down your face, I knew I was in good company!  I will feed the M1A!  Thanks also for the match rouds and the lube or my new "son"

Socalserf:  Thanks for the loaner jacket on Sat and the bumping of my left hand in the prone

Francis Marion..aka  super model: Thanks for offering me to shoot the AR, why I didn't is unknown!

The Scotts: Nice to see father and son working together.

John C: You have the talent to get Rifleman..Equipment issues was the only thing that stopped you.

ARC:  YOU DA MAN!  <750 rounds!  That probably helped you, no bad habits to break!  I feel good knowing that a young man like you doesn't only shoot good, but understands what is at stake!

All the instructors were thanking us for showing up, while I was gratefull that they took time away from their families to come up and teach us.  I guarentee a better showing next time!

DesertDog

Welcome to the forum DesertDog!
It was great to have you with us at Ridgecrest.
I hope and believe that it will be the first of many.
Do consider getting together with a couple of buddies and driving down to Piru.
(only two hours!)
We are having Appleseed events there and I know that you would do very well now that you have a feel for it.

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=1318.0

We have a Rilfeman patch with your name on it!

Quote from: DesertDog on May 06, 2008, 10:17:27 PM

(snip)

John C: You have the talent to get Rifleman..Equipment issues was the only thing that stopped you.

(snip)

you're far too kind...


But I hope you're right.
For the record, you'll get it soon, I bet. You were really coming along, even just in the few hours I saw. Heck, even just in the ball-and-dummy, you tightened way up on the 1" squares.
Just like the rest of us not-yet-Riflemen (I'm going to resist being called a Cook, as nobody here would eat anything I prepared, if in their right minds ), practice'll do ya.

I hope I can be there to see it happen. That's inspirational like nothing else. Oddly, it isn't something to inspire jealousy, really. Must be something about the Appleseed Program...

This reply turned a lot more long-winded than I intended. Sorry 

I believe that Desertdog is correct.
John C., you walked  in the door shooting very well.
The only thing you really need is more practice on the AQTs.
They are unforgiving and heartless.

Quote from: socalserf on May 07, 2008, 03:30:28 AM
I believe that Desertdog is correct.
John C., you walked  in the door shooting very well.
The only thing you really need is more practice on the AQTs.
They are unforgiving and heartless.

Boy howdy are they ever.
I'll have to make up some more QDAQT sheets and get to practicing on them, timed, at home.

Sorry it took so long to post but better late then never. Had a great time, I am so mad at my self for not coming Sat. NO STEEL FOR ME 

JC think of all the practice you got on speed reloads and doing remedial action drills
Don't worry, you were knocking so hard on the door it's only a matter of time until you make rifleman. Next time you come let me know and I will let you shoot My H&R M1. ARC  you can shoot any of my rifles any time. When I came into the hotel room and saw this lumpy thing sticking out of the closet I had to scratch my head  But KA was right you got ur patch just like he said( and then some ) how could I dout him
DD hope to see you at the next one out there or even better at Piru  That goes for you to Scotts  .

Semper Fi

Hey Coly,

Ahhh, if whining is needed, I'll see if I can get one of my daughters to do a chorus for ya!!......
I just like the folks shooting with me, and the fact they are mostly willing to help out anyway they can, w/o any BS.....
What a refreshing change from where I used to work......
Have a great one!!
Ian