Canton, MS AAR - April 17-18, 2010

[wesm]

JohnnyAppleseed was the shoot boss for this event, having driven to Mississippi from California.  Since he will still be in the car for awhile, he asked me to go ahead and start this thread.

Assisting as the 2nd Red Hat was OldFudd, who had driven over from Georgia.  IITs helping were Determined451, Raven227, calfret, LadyZipper, and yours truly.

Saturday morning saw 13 shooters show up.  Most of the shooters this weekend had previous Appleseed experience.  We got the first rounds downrange at the Redcoat target a little after 9:30, after some background, the safety lessons, etc.  After more instruction, we shot 1" squares for a while to get sighted in.  At lunch, we covered a good bit of the history and Determined451 treated us to some fantastic cobbler cooked in Dutch ovens, and topped with ice cream.  The ice cream was a nice touch as the day was starting to warm up.

We shot the Volley for Liberty at 3pm Central time, and a couple of AQTs to end the day Saturday.  No riflemen on Saturday, but only one shooter wasn't returning on Sunday.  We closed with a benediction.

Sunday, we had 16 shooters show up - 4 that weren't there Saturday.  After an expedited review of the 6 steps, NPOA, Steady Hold Factors, we started back up with AQTs.  JohnnyAppleseed introduced us to the Running Redcoats during the lunch break, which everyone enjoyed.  One image that will stick in my memory is MavT firing that M1A with a perfect Rifleman's cadence long after the other (less powerful and quieter) rifles were silenced, and everyone realized that they were watching a thing of beauty as that big piece of American steel kept booming like a cannon.

At some point over the weekend, (I forgot when exactly), we also shot the Redcoats from bottom to top, as if they were marching toward us, in an attempt to help frame the history and place the shooters in the ranks of the militia on April 19, 1775.  We received some positive comments from the shooters about how they enjoyed the "living history".

RIFLEMEN:  We had two new riflemen created Sunday, and two returning riflemen from previous shoots in attendance as well.  Three of the riflemen accepted orange hats, and got a chance to assist on the line Sunday afternoon.  The fourth simply couldn't because of time constraints, but promised me he would help recruit others to attend and continue to support Appleseed as he was able.  We had a few more shooters come very close to scoring rifleman, but hopefully we will see them make rifleman soon.  It should be said that ALL of the participants exhibited the "heart of a Rifleman" (JohnnyAppleseed's words) and they were all a pleasure to instruct.

PROMOTIONS:  We in Mississippi are really starting to see our state flourish.  In addition to the three new IITs, two IIT's helping to staff this event (calfret and LadyZipper) were promoted by JohnnyAppleseed to IIT2.  Three of us who were formerly IIT3's were promoted to Instructors - the first three Red Hats in the state.  This is a direct result of the seeds Dond and his wife have planted here over the past several Appleseeds and the IBC in January.  

EDIT: I forgot to add that OldFudd, who came to Canton in January for an IBC, and who received his red hat in March at Canton, was awarded a plaque from Determined451 proclaiming that OldFudd is hereby named an "Honorary Mississippian".  He was truly the "first IIT to earn his red hat in Mississippi", as D-451's lawyer confirmed, even though he isn't actually *from* Mississippi.  That's OK, we'll take him... 

As a "fun shoot" at the end of the day Sunday, we drug out as many .30 caliber rifles as could be found for a "Main Battle Rifle" AQT.  Still shot at 25 meters, we had M1As, 3 M1 Garands, a .308 bolt gun, an AK and a Mosin-Nagant (did I forget anything?).  Many of the more senior instructors, who had been working hard all weekend, were rewarded by getting to send some lead downrange during this.  Most of the "pop pop pop" we had been hearing from .22s all day became BOOM!BOOM!BOOM! at the end of Sunday.

[crak]

"Main Battle Rifle" AQT.

Genius.

[dart67eb]

Great AAR, wes!

[colycat]

Sounds like JA ran a great shoot as he always does   Super AAR WESM

[wesm]

Sounds like JA ran a great shoot as he always does   Super AAR WESM

JA did a fine job.  It was a pleasure to meet him.  I hope our paths cross again soon.  He had quite the drive, coming from California, so we are deeply indebted to him for SB'ing our shoot on such a significant weekend for Appleseed.

[Determined451]

Let me get these pictures on here before Wes fires me.. I have more, just ask if you want aanything special. D-451

[Determined451]

More..

[JLamb]

I attended my first Appleseed this weekend in Canton.  I had never received formal rifle training before.  I had read a good bit about what the Appleseed project was about, but I had no idea that it would be as great a learning experience as it turned out to be. 

I shot 5 to 6 inch groups on my first redcoat target of the day and I knew that I had a lot of work to do.  The Instructors and IIT's were very helpful and you could really tell that they wanted us to learn and succeed.  I shot two AQT's on the first day and scored 120 and 133.  I ended the day feeling better sighted in and much more comfortable in the positions.  I realy enjoyed the Instructors' presentations of the history and could feel the connection with our forefathers.

After a quick wipedown of my rifle, Sunday started with an overview of the instruction we received the day before.  We first shot a redcoat target and I only had one shot that fell outside of the 400yd target.  I managed to shoot Rifleman on the first AQT of the day with a score of 218.  My other AQT scores for the afternoon were 215, 208, and 212.  I could easily see my improvement from before the Appleseed. 

After the Appleseed had officially ended, OldFudd allowed me the honor of shooting his M1 Garand.  I shot 4 clips through this piece of history and loved every second of it.  Thanks again, OldFudd!

I can easily say that attending the Appleseed was the most fun I have ever had shooting a gun.  I learned more shooting with these people than I ever had before and I look forward to going to more Appleseeds in the future.

[Determined451]

Wes, What a Cry Baby...............He beat us fair and square...His donation to my lawyer had nothing to do with it.....

Actually I have been thinking again....There are some among us who would really worry about that..By the powers invested in me (I pay for the Plaques).. I do hear by award two more. I love plaques.

Wes was the first person FROM the State of Mississippi to become a Red hat ( I exempted myself because of being a SC), and

after talking with Raven227, and finding out that not only is he a former member of the Armed Services, Rangemaster at Turcotte, a Game Warden, and Father of three (that I know of) great kids... He told me in uncertain terms that he was a member of LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO.  So Raven 227 will be awarded a plaque At our next shoot for be being the first member of Law Enforcement to become an Instructor...There in no person more deserving in my book..a true Patriot, and Appleseed Supporter....

O.K. Guys...Santa Clause has left the building...Go Beck to work...Go fourth and multiply..D-451

[wesm]

No crying from me, D-451...

I had actually forgotten about the plaques.  Since Fudd won the plaque, I have been trying to figure out how I could hoodwink you into thinking I was family.  That way I could get in on your AQT competition shoot to put my nametag on one of your M1As...   

[dart67eb]

You guys are having too much fun down there.  That's it, I moving!

[Determined451]

You can come, but you have to bring Pete and Andrew. D-451

[RangeJunkie]

This was my first AS.  I enjoyed every moment of it, even though i couldn't get the magic number.  I will definitely be back for the next one in Sept. I have lucked up i should be able to attend all three days and have to leave early on the third b/c of work.... again.    I learned alot of the history of the Revoloutionary War.  I learned alot about the proper way to accurately shoot a rifle.  I have already joined the RWVA as of last night and i am hoping to shoot better at the next appleseed. 

I would like to thank all you instructors for your support in staying with me and instructing me.  Also for staying on the line and telling me to take my time.  My scores on the AQT (that we scored) were 202, 208, 200 there was one that i didnt want to score.   

I really enjoyed my time and i am looking forward to getting my rifleman and getting an orange hat.  All that i can hope for is once i become an IIT i will be a fraction as good as the way yall were to me.  Thanks for all the help

RangeJunkie (Tom)

[RangeJunkie]

Sry forgot to add this.  My dad might come down from AR and shoot in the Sept. shoot if he can get off work.  I also have a couple of friends that will probably come, one of them has to buy a rifle.  He is kind of new to guns.  I have taken him out and tried to reinforce the basics, but i think this is a perfect thing for him to come to, to learn the exact way to do things.  I wish i had something like this around when i was growing up.  My other friend shoots pistols but is kind of curiouse about getting into long guns.  So i am going to talk him into coming.  Wesm when is a good time of day to call you?

[dond]

I was thinking about you guys all weekend. You've made me proud. Those Red Hats sure look good to an old Mother Hen. Congratulations.     

[Big Papa]

What's up with you Dart?
Last weekend in Ark. now you want to go to MS again!
Get back to Tennessee!!!!!

[wesm]

RangeJunkie, I sent you a PM with good times to call me. 

DonD, your efforts are paying off!  You have really made a mark on this state.   Mississippi truly owes you a debt of gratitude for establishing this program in our state.

[wesm]

You guys are having too much fun down there.  

You darn right.  These guys I get to work with are just plain fun to be around.  Kind of like the movie "Grumpy Old Men", with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  

D-451, you SHOULD have gotten a picture of those Dutch ovens when they still had that cobbler in them. As it is, it just looks like somebody forgot to do the dishes.

[Raven227]

Wow!!!  What a great weekend!!  Another successful Appleseed.  What a great program, I'm so proud to be involved with such a great program.  Johnny Appleseed, you are such an inspiration.  What a great time this weekend.   Thanks to all the instructors: Oldfudd, thanks for making another trip to Mississippi, you are always a joy to have around adding to the history (it's almost like you were there!!)  :  Wesm, congratulations on the RED HAT, it couldn't of happend to a better guy, I can't wait to continue our journey here at Turcotte .  Determined451, I truly appreciate your efforts as State Coordinator!! Keep up the great work, you crack a great whip!!    

I hate that I missed Saturday, somebody has to keep the range going.  Sunday was a great day.  I started out cool and cloudy.  But boy it turnout sunny and warm!!  Sunday lunch was a great treat.  Just as lunch was getting started, we heard the muster, a call to arms, "THE REGULARS ARE COMMIN!!"  That was my first run-n-gun, what a blast!!  

I had the great pleasure of presenting the Dangerous Old Men.  That was truly the highlight of my weekend!!  

Wes did such a great job this weekend with his timeline.  He continued the timeline throughout the day...sooo cool.  At each of the time hacks, Wesm would give us an update of the events of April 19, 1775.  

I believe this is our 6th Appleseed at Turcotte.  We have two more scheduled for this year.  We may have to squeeze another Instructor Boot Camp in this year.  We have six orange hats to get trained up!!

Lets keep up the great work guys and get the word out on the next two shoots.

It seemed that all the shooter had a great time.  Our youngest shooter was returning for a second shoot, this time he had his mother with him shooting also.  Many of the shooter were recruited by Calfret and LadyZipper.  Great job guys.  The State of Mississippi is in great hand down south!! Keep up the great work!!

We had a couple of new shooter on Sunday.  From the grins on their faces when the left, the hooks have been set.  They will be back.  

All in all, what a great shoot.  Johnny Appleseed, thanks for sharing with us.  

Dond, your babies are growing up.  Hope to see you soon.

[wesm]

Another thing that I forgot to mention - early on Saturday, before we shot the first Redcoats target, Johnnyappleseed handed out biographical cards of some of the characters involved on April 19, 1775.  People like Capt. Parker, Hezekiah Wyman, Samuel Whittemore, David Lamson, etc.  Each attendee was asked to read his character's card out loud for the group to hear.  I thought this was a fantastic way to get the shooters familiar with the characters they would hear more about later.

I don't know where he got those cards, but if I can find some, I would definitely want to use them again.  I thought the simple act of having the shooters read those cards aloud really set the stage for the importance of the history this weekend.  Someone said that the Appleseed store may begin carrying these "card decks".  If so, everyone should get a set.  They were that good, I thought.

[Determined451]

Range Junkie.. I went to a shoot in Puryer, TN (Dond's home club)...and we had two women drive from ....I believe it was St. Louis ....with brand new rifles, never been out of the box, never had instruction, and they did well..Bring anyone down you can.... A/S will do the work after that.. BTW...EVERYONE needs to go to Puryer...You will never be treated nicer...Imagine a whole club full of Don and Sarahs....

You know, as a State Coordinator, I can't think of any bunch of people that could start off a State more than what we have here....I love it when people say what I'm thinking before i get a chance to say it..you know I am kind of shy......GUYS, I AM EXTERMLY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.  I found it was hard to talk at the shoot before the others took something over...Most of the time, people are shy, laid back...Haven't seen that here, and I hope I never do.

Keep your powder dry, and nose in the wind....D-451

[oldfudd]

After reading all of the above replies, there's not too much that I can add except once again, emphasize what a great bunch of shooters and instructors support Appleseed in the great state of Mississippi.     Even though I'm only adopted (honorary Mississippian) I can't wait to get back to work with these people again.  After the fantastic weather we experienced last weekend, I guess I kinda have to retract my snarky March comments about rain, sleet and snow in Mississippi. 

Our Shoot Boss (JohnnyAppleseed) impressed everybody, and added a lot to our pool of experience.  Great job, Richard, and Thank You.  Our new Red Hats are a very valuable asset to the AS organization, and I'm confident that they'll soon set the standards for all AS instructors.  Our "old" Orange Hats (those who took the Orange Hat in March) impressed the devil out of me by their enthusiasm and knowledge -- great job gals and guys.  Most of our newly made Rifleman accepted Orange Hats, and I'm confident they'll soon be pushing the envelope of knowledge and experience for all of us. 

Boy, after reading the above, it sounds like a bloody love fest.  But honestly, I've never had the privilege of working with such a great bunch of dedicated people like this before.  Thank you all.  I also want to comment on your State Coordinator (Determined451) too.  He's a guy that could sell refrigerators to eskimos.  I expect next time I'm in Mississippi at least half of the state will be actively involved in AS, with the other half ready to join up.  You're a great guy Don, and it's an honor knowing you.

I hope that the shooters who weren't able to hit the magic 210 this time, come back again with friends and family to witness your making Rifleman next time.  Naturally I expect that your enthusiasm will rub off on them to take up the AS challenge, too.

[Determined451]

Wes and I were talking yesterday.. Actually...Wes was talking about one of his ideas, and I was listening.......We both enjoyed the Instructor's shooting their chosen battle rifles after the shoot...I would have enjoyed it more, if I had brought a rifle !!!  My bad, a Rifleman without a Rifle......Hmmmm.

Anyway, this is what we have come up with for the September shoot.. We are going to have a one target AQT shoot just for instructors, IIT's of any grade, and any people that make Rifleman that weekend... (Rifleman can shoot, but you have to agree to take on the Orange hat to do so).  No pre-shooting allowed..Take the Rifle out of the case, shoot the AQT, and weep....

This will be a rapid fire AQT introduced to us last year by our Northern Brother, Crak..Those of you who met him.........well, I guess you could say he is a big fuzz ball...Those you you who have not met him...He is o.k., but from a State north of Tennessee (MA)

Anyway, he had us load 4 mags with ten rounds, start Standing, shoot, drop to sitting, 10 rounds, drop to prone 10 rounds, reload, and shoot 10 more....All in 4 minutes....

I have decided to make a trophy to be given for the highest score, and it will be a traveling trophy..to be brought by the person who wins it to our April shoot at Turcotte.and shot at the April shoot from then on.....I am trying to decide on a name for it...I thought about  "THIS TROPHY IS AWARDED IN MEMORY OF OUR NORTHERN BROTHER, WHO WAS DEEPLY SORRY FOR THE ACTS COMMITTED BY HIS STATE IN THE WAR OF NOTHERN AGGRESSION, AND IS MAKING THIS FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO TRY TO HEAL THOSE WOUNDS BY MAKING US BETTER MARKSMEN...TROPHY...I am having trouble making that fit on the plate, so I think I will call it"'CRAK'S YANKEE AQT CHALLENGE"

Who wants to shoot?   BTW this is not to start competition...just plain fun for the guys who ran the shoot..Let me have your thoughts on p.m's  .D-451

[wesm]

Well, there goes our strategic advantage by not telling them about it ahead of time... 

[dart67eb]

I'm buying Pete 4 mags.  He doesn't have as far to go from standing to prone. My $$'s on him.

[crak]

 

[Raven227]

Sounds like fun to me.  Lets do this!!  By the way, I like the long title - however, Det451, you must pay for the plaque with that title!!!!!

[Determined451]

Ha,Ha !!! That is the ONLY time that I have heard Crak be speechless...Dart..By the powers invested in me, I can let Pete shoot..Andrew also...not sure about you yet...that may have to go to committee...Hmmmm.. I guess I AM the committee..I can hear those 30 cals. now...This should be fun..D-451

P.S.  Sorry Wes, I never could keep a secret..

[MavT]

Had a great time this weekend. Still shooting a 199-203. I will be getting a shooting jacket or switching toa .22 for my next appleseed.
And wes it was a M14 from LRB arms, not an M1A. Thanks to Calfret for letting me use it.
I will get photos up soon.

[dart67eb]

Ha,Ha !!! That is the ONLY time that I have heard Crak be speechless...Dart..By the powers invested in me, I can let Pete shoot..Andrew also...not sure about you yet...that may have to go to committee...Hmmmm.. I guess I AM the committee..I can hear those 30 cals. now...This should be fun..D-451

P.S.  Sorry Wes, I never could keep a secret..

Pete shot the Tapco bubba'd sks part of last Sunday but it's too heavy for him.  You can really see it in the standing position.  He was only getting 160's in the aqt. You can't tell him that, though.