Winterset, IA AAR, October 31 & November 1, 2026

[Ames]

Seven local Iowan's invested time and resources to improve their rifle marksmanship and celebrate their heritage as Americans at Madison County Sportsmen's Club this last weekend.  Although the weather was a bit dampish at times, the temperature was very comfortable.  We all appreciated the covered firing line, so there was really nothing to complain about weather-wise.

On Saturday morning, we began our event with telling the first strike of April 19, 1775.  That was followed up with a safety briefing before heading out to shoot our first hits count target (redcoat target) of the weekend.  Students then learned how they could improve their marksmanship — employing steady hold factors, six steps to firing the shot and natural point of aim.  By the end of Saturday, one of our students, Chris, had re-qualified rifleman and had twice cleared our hits count target.  (He would follow that performance up by scoring a "distinguished" 230 on the AQT with tech sights on Sunday.). That guy can shoot!

On Sunday, we began our day with review in the clubhouse, then headed back out to the range.  The shoot boss was in the mood to shoot some classic green coat targets, so those were posted for students to practice their marksmanship.  This gave students valuable practice shooting prone, sitting and standing before the day's first AQT just before lunch.  The practice paid off with Levi earning his Riflemen's patch!  He shot a 216 and later followed that up with a 219 - all with tech sights.   Outstanding!  Students Sara and Dalton reached new PRs on the AQT, scoring over 200, but shy of that 210.  They will get there!  First time Appleseeder Daniel scored I believe in the 180's or better.  Unfortunately he had to leave early on Sunday, delaying the earning of his rifleman patch for another day.

At Sunday's lunch break, we studied Known Distance topics: Target Detection, Range Estimation and Making the Shot (trajectory concepts).  Immediately after the Known Distance Lesson, the students moved from the 25 yard range over to the 100 yard range with their rimfire rifles.  There, they collected come-ups data at 50, 75 and 100 yards.  This is where KD topics come to life.  So glad our host range had the capacity to stretch things out.  Concluding our 100 yard session, a couple of our students brought their centerfires to the 100 yard line:  one AR 15 and one M1 Garand.  How if only we had an additional 300 yards that day...

Special thanks to Madison County Sportsmen's Club for hosting us!  They have great facilities there on the outskirts of Winterset.  And thanks to Mark and Brian for their great help as Instructors!

[gpbbiker]

  This grandfather just wants to say thank you! to the Iowa Cadre for your Instruction and help! Shooters Sara and Jack both had to call me Sunday afternoon to tell me about their struggles and Improvement! They would not be where they are today without your excellent work and story telling! Keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to participate come spring! Hope springs eternal! Thank you for all you do!

[Roswell]

Sounds like a great event!