AAR Castro Valley, CA 30-31 Oct

[CSHR]

http://www.chabotgunclub.com/  is in Anthony Chabot Regional Park in the East Bay hills above the San Francisco Bay and hosted this AS event.

Located in the EB hills, surrounded by a tall, mixed forest including Redwoods and Eucalyptus, turkeys trooping through the grounds, Redtail Hawks and the assorted airplane overhead, it is as beautiful as it is secluded. Saturdays crowd of 27 bested the cold and overcast that kept us guessing if the rain, drizzle, mist, gloom, or wind would last long or allow us to dry off. This group was GREAT, they came to learn and nothing was going to stop them. We had a couple who came from long range bench shooting and a couple who were new to shooting. There was a conglomeration of mom/son, father/daughter, uncle/nephew, other couples, groups of friends and even a gentleman, Richard, who works at the range. Rain gear and plastic for the rifles was the order of the day for Saturday. There was an interesteing representation of firearms present this day, Two older bolt guns, Rugar 10/22's from basic to TechSights to scopes to the fancy heavy barreled ones; Marlin 795 showed up with Tech sights and scopes; several AR's; an AK; a Garand; and a Kel-Tec in 223.
We used a covered area for instructing and our lunchtime with the 3 strikes presentations which had the crowd forgetting to eat they were so involved.

Here we are getting the COF for the Redcoats targets:



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On the firing line:


Bob 210 enjoying instructing from the prone position:


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Determination and perseverance at it's best: the bench shooter with a bolt action 22 and no sling!



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Wes, who had never shot before in his life, along with his mom who shot Sat and cheered him on for Sun: on right with redcoat in his hand.




The weather on Sunday turned out to be a sunny 71! Most came bundled for more cold and Holloween had us peeling the layers off. After some reviewing of Safety Rules we got shooting some squares to check for any problems with our sights and then on to the AQT's. Everybody had a fun time with the lack of moisture and the thrill of putting the instruction to use. During the day we saw the tightening of groups and the scores improving. These mechanical skills were interjected with quotes from the Founding Fathers. Several of the family groups decided that Trick or Treating with tired kids was not the thing to do and so decided to attend another AppleSeed and skip the Sunday shooting. All present agreed and asked to share in the candy. The presentation of our DOM/DOW at the lunch break was enthusiastically enjoyed by all with shouts and applause.

Quincy, who shot several Marksman scores, and her father Bruce, who shot Sharpshooter, listening to instruction:



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The noise from the firing on adjacent ranges and the peripheral forests reverberating, not absorbing, sounds often made it difficult to hear line commands. Freeman shows us ways to overcome!



Sunday brought about another FIRST for California, a new shoot boss and his line!!



and his personalized instructions for the new student to please keep the firing line straight..




Here's how our line looked on Sunday to the left of center, with Bob 210 instructing Richard



And to the right of center



I will post this now and hope it all fits. And then post the remaining, most exciting pictures next. 

[CSHR]

The best parts for last, those who persisted and used all the instructions to make a Rifleman's score.

Eddy, who re-qualified with his bolt action 22 shot a 224 and several others above the 210. WELL DONE!




Jim, another returning shooter who was determined to shoot for a Rifleman's score, he shot the 'dreaded' 210 and received the North Bridge water



This is Bob who shot a 216 and loaned his special 10/22 to Wes and his mom to shoot over the two days. The epitome of the Founding Father's addressing 'posterity'. Us, now, who should carry on their legacy of the Republic, helping those around you. My congratulations and my thanks to you.



David with his target of a 219 score, we hid it from him and surprised him.



Jon and his wife Ketty were there for both days, I'm guessing since he shot the 224 he got to make dinner!!! Oh yeah, look close, we posted and shot the target up side down. This made it difficult for the instructors to score since we wanted to look at it right side up and score it that way  no wonder #3 went 4/3/3 and #4 went 3/3/2/2 



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And Tim, the other half of the bench shooters, but he used what had been a 10/22 and now resembled something from the movies     and his 'high of the day' 231   



Tim and Bob 210 huddled for a while and              WE have another NEW IIT!       CONGRATULATIONS TIM!!




The history and heritage we presented was such that most of the students said they'd be back and wanted to know the dates of the next Seed, Bob says 29/30 Jan is scheduled. The weekend that started cold and wet ended warm, dry, enthusiastic and all agreeing that they were better shooters and better citizens. We, the instructors, were tired and very pleased with the progress shown by all.



We had a great time, thank you. Applause for 3Huzzahs, Polygunner, Freeman and Bob 210, it never would have happened without you.

CSHR

[Nero]

Tim here, under my shiny brand new nickname.  Big thanks to CSHR, Bob 210, 3Huzzahs, Polygunner, and Freeman, particularly to those who came all the way up from SoCal for our benefit.    I learned a heck of lot about both shooting and history.  The latter really hit home since a few of my ancestors 'did that' way back when.  It was fun, it was intense, it was...  exhausting.  I can highly recommend margaritas for post-Appleseed anesthesia.   

To be fair, CSHR, yes I shoot bench.  But I've also done 4-position, hold an NRA light rifle DE ticket, and have shot tactical rifle matches on that same range.  What I had not attempted to do before was put together the precision of target shooting with the speed of tactical, and that had me rather daunted at the prospect of the AQT.   Well, the combination of the Appleseed flavor of NPOA plus the Rifleman's Cadence was just a revelation.  After two passes through the AQT, I was putting up better sitting scores in rapid fire than I'd done with slow fire on the 50 ft practice targets the weekend before.  You made a big believer out of me.    

I was also the guy with the Kel-tec.  I was curious to see what my just-for-fun tactical gun - a 16" light barrel with a reflex site and nothing but a carry sling - would do with the AQT.   Well it tore up the standing course  but as for slow-fire it was kind of a waste of ammo.    Not the thing to use for a Rifleman score, but it sure was fun    And I don't want to hear anything about my 10/22 after looking at that suh-weet Annie.  I hope I didn't drool on the stock too much. 

Anyway, thanks for your confidence in taking me onto the team after one showing, and I'll try to live up to it.  As a signoff, here are a couple of crummy pix from my phone.  These are the determined diehards firing the last AQT of Sunday:

[Rocket Man]

Welcome aboard, Tim!

That's a great looking shoot, you guys.  Job well done.

[Nero]

My wife's orange-handled staple gun came up missing after the shoot.  If anyone saw it or picked it up at the end of the day, please PM me.  Thanks!

[Jules]

Great pictures, great play by play! Bob: glad the weather behaved itself. Congrats to the new Riflemen, and to our new IIT! To Bob210, CHSR, Polygunner, 3Huzzahs, and Freeman, you guys rock it!  Thanks California, you make us proud.

Jules

[dart67eb]

Is this by Lake Chabot?  I used to live in Hayward and went fishing there.

[CSHR]

dart67eb,

Yes, it's in the same park and you'd never know it.

Travel to the right around the lake, cross the bridge and continue left on the dirt, go up the hill into the campground, through it and past the ranger's kiosk about half a mile, turn left on the road and it deadends in the shooting range.

When driving it's off Redwood Road at the Marciel Road gate, near nothing but trees.   http://www.chabotgunclub.com/

CSHR

[kilakiwi]

Deleted.

[Freeman]

It was a real pleasure to get to spend time with not only some of the NorCal instructors, but so many great shooters. It was well worth the drive. You guys have a great thing going up there. It was exciting to see so much passion for our heritage from the "posterity." John Adams would be proud. We will definitely need to do this more often.

Tim, I like your new handle. It's so fitting these days. Welcome aboard. Your new journey on "the trail" will be exciting and fullfilling. Send me a PM and I can help you navigate through the sometimes confusing waters of being a new IIT.

[Freeman]

Wow, I almost forgot...Bob 210 and CSHR, it is always a pleasure to work with you guys. You two truly are among the cream of the crop, even if sometimes, as Laylo puts it, you end up the whooped cream. You both exemplify the real meaning of a rifleman; you are both far beyond 210. Any time either of you are short an instructor...

[asminuteman]

.

[polygunner]

CSHR, Bob210, Freeman, 3 Huzzahs,
you are all an inspiration to me. You all bring so much to the Appleseed table to accomplish a common goal, and this weekend we succeeded.

Saturday morning was wet and cold. Appleseed students never cease to amaze me, we shoot rain or shine and so do they. 3 Huzzahs to all the shooters!

This range is loud due to it's proximity to the other public ranges. Bob210 saved our bacon with a bull horn for calling the line and a small PA system to tell history/stories, thanks Bob210!

The instruction was well received by the students, the firehose of knowledge was on full blast all weekend and the targets told the tale. The marksmanship improved even without the flogging. Or even the threat of flogging.

Sunday was a much nicer day, almost worthy of changing into shorts. Fewer students, more rounds down range. CHSR even had us post an AQT upside down for a change of pace. One shooter shot a rifleman score on the upside down target. I hope he sews his rifleman patch on upside down to commemorate the occasion.

The student participation for set up, teardown and T shirt organization is a testament to the quality of people who are drawn to the Appleseed program. It's inspiring and humbling.

Congratulations to all the students, you learned a ton, marksmanship improved, knowledge of history was deepened, camaraderie was enjoyed by all.
Now get to 7th stepping.

Hope to see you all soon
Polygunner

[YTDoug]

I just wanted to give thanks to the insrtuctors/IIt's that ran the Appleseed event in Castro Valley. I gotta admit I was skeptical about the whole thing, but you convinced me. I hadn't shot qualification targets in almost 24 years. I remembered how much I had forgotten. A personal thanks to Bob, CHSR, Chris and Darryl for helping with my new to shooting nephew. I hope to see you guys again at the next Appleseed, where I will be getting my iron sighted marksman patch Book 3 spots for me, the wife and the nephew.

[CSHR]

kilakiwi & YTDoug,

We at AS appreciate the families like yourself who take the time to participate with us. Especially so when the weather gets wet, it shows the type of commitment we like to see. 

Happy to hear that our 'safety first' comes through and that the History, Heritage, and instruction is of benefit to you. 

Don't forget to spread the word among your friends.  See you in Jan. Don't forget to "Dry Practice" on your own. 

CSHR

[Johnnyappleseed]

Welcome aboard Tim ------ Hi to our New forum members. I see new hats for each of you .
Really good shoot guys  ^5 Bringing the foundation of freedom to the Bay area

Judging by the comments posted in this AAR -- the PA type system worked great
Any details on the PA system?

Nice Pic'c -----Semper Fidelis Micheal !
JA

[CSHR]

Johnny,

The portable PA was brought by Bob an had an ominous "V" in black marker on it    it worked quite well even with all the background noise.

I don't remember the brand name. If I find out I'll pm you.

CSHR

P.S. 'Happy Birthday' for tomorrow, the ale is on me at Tun's Tavern 

[Johnnyappleseed]

Thanx CSHR and I will gladly raise a glass with You  the sprit of those at Tuns tavern is alive and well .
Happy Birthday to all Marines past ,present and future .
May you have a special day My Friend
JA

[bob 210]

It's official! Our next Appleseed at Chabot Gun Club in Castro Valley, CA will be January 29-30, 2011! Spread the word and let's Appleseed!

[Nero]

Woot!     Count me in.      PM sent.