Project Appleseed

What an outstanding event.  Patriot's Day Appleseed Events are always something special, and this event was certainly special.  I'm terribly tired, but if you're reading this before I post up the complete story of how the event went, please feel free to chime in, and definitely post up any pictures you may have taken. 

A huge thank you to the Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park, who hosted this event; we're certainly grateful for the opportunity to use your fine facility!

Really good shoot! A few photos

You have the right to bear arms, so you should, and you should learn how to use them safely and effectively, and lastly you should know why you have that right.
An Appleseed event is an easy sell.

This weekend was the cumulation of me integrating all of the Appleseed teaching into my skillset and FINALLY achieving Distinguished, along with Nathaniel.  I enjoy competing in marksmanship events, but I was solidly in the middle of the pack when it came to results.  I worked on my forms, used dry fire exercises, added the steady hold factors and rifleman's cadence and started winning these events. I added the things from the known distance class, distance calls, dope and wind calls, and won some more. I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and learned a "new" trick with the loop sling and achieved the coveted distinguished patch.
Yes, yes I know Eric. I stopped using holdovers too.
Three years and ten or so Appleseed events.  Seems like a lot, but when you believe in the message and the people, its something I always look forward to.
As for the financial and time cost, my competitors have been known to drop serious cash on a training class with some big name shooter for far less impact.

Everyone sees that person at the range that pats themselves on the back for being able to shoot a decent 3 shot group at exactly 100 yards off the bench.  One Appleseed event and you are probably three times the marksman that person ever was. One Appleseed event and you could comfortably go to any rifle shooting event, understand the range commands and achieve a decent score.
My son may have had a tough time, but we call that building character. He is proud of his score and cannot wait for the next Appleseed where he is sure he will achieve that coveted Appleseed patch. He will also grow up knowing why he has the rights he does and he will likely influence his friends and social circle, that next batch of voters. You guys were the best this weekend.

My success and my sons interest and dedication are directly the fault of the people that volunteer their time at these events. From time to time, they may get a little soapbox preachy, but these passionate volunteers have earned that right. I want passionate preachy instructors who know the history and respect those that came before.
I tell my son to move his thumb over so he isn't squeezing his hand when he pulls the trigger... whatever..  Joe tells him the same thing, Avan moves his thumb and is happy to try something new. Sigh. And then SHOOTS BETTER!
On the other hand... Eric, Pete and Andrew tell me to use the loop sling over and over... but then Nick lets me try his sweet rifle at different event ONE time and I'm too lazy to re-sling his rifle into the hasty sling... anyway. It was like.. way better.. who knew?
I stopped using holdovers when I failed at the KD, so that was Eric getting upset with me too.
I was using my left hand to pull the rifle into my shoulder instead of my right hand, and Mikey gets triggered.  Thanks Mikey.
Mastering each of these skills dropped my group size.

If you were at this weeks Appleseed and want to try an Alaska rifle club event, I recommend coming to a bang and clang, or a shoot and scoot.  You can find both on the Birchwood calendar. Bang and clang requires reloading, the shoot and scoot just requires a centerfire rifle I believe. A high-power event is exactly like an Appleseed event sans instruction, with competitive scoring at the end. If I see you there, you are welcome to mob up and shoot the event with me.  I love shooting with safe excited shooters.

I wrote a detailed reloading practical for bang and clang and put it on their FB page. Just ask to join and they will let you in. 

As for Birchwood, I have never been swept at Birchwood.  My son and I have been swept, have had people playing with their rifle while I was downrange, and have just been made to feel very unsafe at other ranges.  This is why I pay for the Birchwood membership.

Lets go infect some more people with the marksmanship bug.

Quote from: Arloman on April 25, 2022, 04:16:54 PM

I tell my son to move his thumb over so he isn't squeezing his hand when he pulls the trigger... whatever..  Joe tells him the same thing, Avan moves his thumb and is happy to try something new. Sigh. And then SHOOTS BETTER!

As for Birchwood, I have never been swept at Birchwood.  My son and I have been swept, have had people playing with their rifle while I was downrange, and have just been made to feel very unsafe at other ranges.  This is why I pay for the Birchwood membership.

Hello All,

Great shoot, Great shooters. Was very happy to be a part of it.

I well know the patience it takes in trying to teach sons and wife to shoot.  The resistance, the return commentary, etc.  Someone else tells them and it is taken to heart immediately!  Old Mikey taught me that a couple years ago at one of the Appleseed events.  It worked.  Little by little, event by event, Nathaniel put all the instruction and practice together and earned his distinguished patch.  That makes two of my sons that have done so!  Now the old man has to up his game and do that as well, but with a centerfire.

Also, I recommend a membership at Birchwood.  When Birchwood went to a private membership only gun range it eliminated those who don't respect firearms.  As a private club, I have not been swept and there is a general attitude of congeniality, patience, and camaraderie among the members.  I like it.

Will post pictures later.

In Liberty,

Gus