Waco, GA (West Georgia Youth Range) November 13-14, 2010

[franklinfarmer]

After Action Report:

Your instructors were:
4merUSMC1803 (to whom thanks are due for coming over from Alabama)
franklinfarmer
cswhitfield
Tellico
Stone Dog

The Waco shoots are starting to grow.

We had 17 shooters on the line Saturday morning (up from 12 in October).  

I believe we will have more campers next time.  Let me back up to that and say a big thanks to the West Georgia Youth Range Association members who brought us out the best fire barrel I've ever seen (some kind of drum from a cement mixer by the looks of it) and enough firewood to keep us warm Friday and Saturday nights.  Four of us took advantage of this on Friday night and we were joined by four more on Saturday night (all of whom had the opportunity to see a beautiful pink/red sunrise).  With Craig's quotation:  "Red skies in morning, sailors take warning," we started Sunday with high hopes for "diagnostic" weather, that is, weather which would allow us to test our gear and stamina.

Unfortunately, the West Georgia Youth Range has continued to be disappointing  in the area of weather with little more than 50 to 70 degree days with a mix of sun and clouds.  In spite of this, I still have high hopes for the venue.   There were a few showers on Sunday afternoon, though none quite qualified as a downpour.  We do have some blowing
dust at times, so don't be too discouraged.

It might also be mentioned that we enjoyed BBQ "as usual" for dinner Friday night...and breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning.  Bacon and hash browns were also contributed for the community breakfast.  (Do you all get the idea that I'd like to see more folks coming out for the camping and campfire?)  We need to get people thinking about what specific ways this generation needs to use its liberty to bring about a bright future.  Many in the founding generation did this in taverns; the campfire makes a fitting twenty-first century substitute.

We had an absolutely excellent group of shooters with most showing a clear tightening of groups by lunchtime even though most of our time in the morning had been spent on history.   Continuing until after 6 we completed two AQTs and had two rifleman scores.  Both are noteworthy:

I am particularly pleased to mention that Kayla (Wabash here on the forum) whose progress I have watched since her first shoot and who has also helped AS with promotions, from TV interviews to manning a booth at Atlanta gun shows, persevered to shoot rifleman on Saturday and then backed it up with at least 2 or 3 rifleman scores on Sunday, one of which was a 225.  As a side note, Kayla felt it was a bit ridiculous to take a rifleman patch dripping with icicles while actual temp was in the 70s.  

Oh, and she has become an instructor in training.  

Also on Saturday we had a half dozen or so military types up from Camp Perry way.  One of them, Rod, also pulled through with a 213 on Saturday.  Way to go Rod.  His buddy Vic was also knocking on the door Sunday coming in around 207 *without* a GI loop sling.  Vic assured us that they will bring more friendlies to shoots, and they would especially like to see some more shoots in Hawkinsville.

On Sunday, it was evident that most shooters were not interested in shooting in the dark for a second day.  Four did remain, however, as we moved the entire line back to 50 yards and then to 100.  I joined the three other 10-22 shooters (and Joe with his AR15) and we were all surprised at the variation among apparently similar rifles and ammunition.  Two of us had 4MOA groups at the predicted 5MOA drop at 100 yards, and the other two required 8MOA+ come-ups.  One shooter, Matt, tried some Mexican subsonic and already needed an 8MOA come-up at 50 yards!  We managed to adjust sights/scopes and/or just confirm these observations before calling it a day.  

I had high hopes to compile a set of benchmark come-ups for .22 out to 200 yards, but all I have so far is one Ruger 10-22 for which I know 5MOA is the correct come-up for 100 yards (with a 25 yard zero).  That is Anna's rifle and, incidentally, she shot her second rifleman score with it on Sunday.  And I guess her father will give in and let her take an orange hat.

Many thanks to those who stayed to help clean up.

That's a quick summary, and I'm sure I'm forgetting (important) things, but let me put this out there and let the other shooters and instructors fill in their impressions.  Most importantly, provide for us any advice you have on how we can improve.

FF

[Piker]

Had a blast! will be back for that patch in December! Many thanks to all the fine instructors and shooters!! Will bring a tent next month and take you up on that BBQ, John!

[Mogget]

Congrats, Kayla!  I knew you'd get that patch pretty soon!  And thanks for taking the OH, as well.

Good job, Anna, on that second Rifleman score !  You've got your father right where you want him!   

Looking forward to meeting all again on the AS Trail,

Mogs

I am particularly pleased to mention that Kayla (Wabash here on the forum) whose progress
I have watched since her first shoot and who has also helped AS with promotions, from TV
interviews to manning a booth at Atlanta gun shows, persevered to shoot rifleman on
Saturday and then backed it up with at least 2 or 3 rifleman scores on Sunday, one of which
was a 225.  As a side note, Kayla felt it was a bit ridiculous to take a rifleman patch dripping
with icicles while actual temp was in the 70s. 

Oh, and she has become an instructor in training.

[cswhitfield]

A big thank you to all the shooters who showed up and participated.  I have not seen a better group of "teachable attitudes".  Your perseverance and patience made the weekend a real pleasure.  I want to echo FranklinFarmer's appreciation to the West Georgia Youth Range.  When I arrived a little early on Friday to help set up the firing line there were several range members working on the shotgun pit adjacent to our designated camp area.  They went out of their way to welcome me and Appleseed to their "home".  They seem to be genuinely supportive of our efforts.  I also want to publicly express my appreciation and gratitude to FranklinFarmer and 4merUSMC1803 for their excellent instruction and guidance to not only the shooters but to us Orange Hats as well.  Your history and philosophy lectures were excellent.  Your firm, persistent and mostly gentle  guidance is willingly received and helpful along a sometimes intimidating path.

Shooters again thank you for your participation and attitudes.  I think if we had had lights you guys would have stuck it out for another AQT or two on Saturday.  For those of you who hung in on Sunday through the showers and backed up to 50 & 100 yards then stayed through final clean-up...  OOORAH!!  Semper Fi!


Please post your comments on how we can make Appleseed even better for you. 


I'll try to post some pictures later.

Craig

[Earl]

Having bad weather to learn how to shoot in, is not on Fred's list of Appleseed requirements, really.

[Joni]

I hear one of the young shooters shot 2 perfect Red Coats! Picture please!!
Congrats to that shooter, young orange hat in the making!!!

Joni

[4merUSMC1803]

This was a great group of patriots!  I thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of teaching and interacting with such motivated, enthusiastic shooters.  Congrats to Kayla & Anna for taking up buckets and volunteering to help us bail!  Kudos to Rod for earning his Rifleman patch.  And, to everyone else, thanks for your participation.  All of you were great.  I knew it was going to be great based on the 1st few strings of fire on Saturday morning.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and the friends/family you bring back to future Appleseeds.  To echo csw, Semper Fi!

Here are the photos I managed to snap; apologies to Rod & Kayla, camera flash wasn't so good at night.

[Joni]

Congrats to the 2 Rifleman, and to Kayla who accepted the Orange Hat, I look forward to meeting you all, probably in Sept., it is a "it depends" situation!

Joni

[franklinfarmer]

One specific innovation that was included in this shoot was designed and executed by one of our instructors in training (cswhitfield).  We would be particularly interested in your feedback/perception as shooters as we evaluate whether or not to include this demonstration in future shoots.

At the end of the safety briefing, before shooters are sent to retrieve their rifles, shooters are centered up behind an instructor who uncases a .22 rifle on a mat. 

It is explained that shooters should not take the .22 round which many are using for granted.  The line commands
are reviewed, and the instructor is given the command "Shooter, your preparation period has ended, with 1 round LOAD." 

Upon the fire command, the shooter/instructor fires the single round at a pre-prepared can of tomato juice, hanging from a wire in front of a white backing board. 

After the line is made safe, the shooters proceed down range to inspect the target.

Mrs. Farmer made the comment that she already had a very healthy respect for the .22 round before the demo, but that she felt it could be very effective for children.  Since she has had little experience with rifles before, we can perhaps attribute her respect/fear of all rounds and firearms to motherly concern, media reports, and other factors.  (As she says, "I don't like guns.")

In any case, I will note that with children on the line (and we had 6 of them according to my recollection) we usually see at least one muzzle sweep during an Appleseed weekend.  As far as the instructors noted, no child made a muzzle sweep at this shoot, and we are pretty vigilant to watch for them.

Give us your feedback.

[Piker]

Have the attendees bring their own tomato juice can and shoot it? Just a thought.

[Wabash]

 Waco was a good shoot as always but particularily great because I did shoot Rifleman! The instructors did a great job and it was a fast pace (when shooting) which I like.   It got real dark real quick down in that pit on Saturday  but that was a better place to shoot that the upper small coves which we used before.  It was a good group with everyone attentive and on task.  Yes, the kids did real good with safety and shooting.  Glad to see Anna get a second Rifleman score which I didn't know about until today since the Farmer family left early Sunday.  The Tomatoe Juice thing was nicely scary; which we all need to remember how powerfull these little cartrigdes can be.  In terms of demonstrations, I would like to see presentations on rifles like when Raymond did his thing on ARs and M-1A1s.  I think a presention on Liberty Rifles would be good. Maybe discuss the basics like the sites, scopes, slings etc.  Also cleaning and lube.  There are alot of Newies which this could help.  It took my first AS just to get my rifle right.  Also we could go beyond about modifications such as stock length, cheeck pieces, trigger groups, etc.  I'm thinking mostly about the 10-22s since I don't know much about those 22 Marlins but something similar could apply there. Also one on M-1s would be interesting.   Anyway just some thoughts.   
Thanks to all who posted kind word on me.  Moggs, glad you saw I made Rifleman.  What I remember most about that August shoot  at Waco was you on one side of me and Fred on the other with me in the middle pulling the trigger with you both shouting instructions.  Boy did I get some good attention and education!  Well it did finally pay off and I'm happy to take the Organge Hat.

Thanks
Kayla 

[cswhitfield]

Had at least one adult male shooter comment that he had no idea a .22 "would do that!"  The tomato juice can literally "exploded" with a rather dramatic affect.

A few pictures below:

[cswhitfield]

A few more:

[cswhitfield]

Ditto:

[cswhitfield]

And finally:

[Ga. Joe]

I'll weigh in with my after-action report.

I thought it was great. I was That AR Guy blowin' steel brass all over the place. Now, that's an oxymoron! I was positioned waay on the right - away from the good .22 folks. Now that's the rifle to use for this kind of thing, but I wanted to master what I had - iron sights & all. No optic for me 'till I master the iron!

I'm new to long guns and I'm still working out the shooting as a lefty thing - due to eye dominance.

I was impressed by the whole event, the people and especially by the instructors, who gave me a lot of time and attention, even when they had a whole line to run. I certainly learned a lot. I know that they where doing the same for others as well. I haven't flopped around on the ground that much in a long time & my back could certainly tell!

I had hoped that I could master the AQT or, possibly more realistically, at least "knock on the door". Guess not. When I did start to show groups and improvement, I kind of back-slid again. How hard could it be? Just hit the target.... 'what target?' I'll just have to come back and keep beating on it until I get Rifleman. Mastering NPOA and using The Force will get me on target every time in the future! The exercises were great - especially the flinch exercise (empty mag or chambered round?) and the NPOA exercise (you're usually encouraged to shoot with your eyes open!).

Significant round rise before the far zero on the AR platform was a revelation to me. Having ex-mil guys who have spent a lot of time with that rifle was very handy to have around.

Don't know when I'll be able to come back. It'll be a function of time & money - possibly in Dec., but probably in 2011. I have a lot of dry firing and range time to do in the meantime.

Thanks again for a well-run event. It was great.


- Ga. Joe