AAR: Known Distance Shoot - Chaplin, CT (5/16/2010)

[dwarven1]

A huge thank you to CortJestir for organizing this. Lot of fun and very informative.

Todd, please don't forget to send us all sample POIs!

[CortJestir]

Perfect weather greeted us at the 200 yard range at The Fin, Fur and Feather Club this Sunday as 8 instructors took to the line to (re)acquaint themselves with distance shooting.

Red Hats and IITs in attendance were: CortJestir, Davidgw1, dwarven1, Firewall99, kfish, smithy, TOMINCT, and vernic82. States represented were CT, MA, RI, and NH.

Following Fred's KD POI and some of PHenry's KD Clinic material, we covered the following topics in a classroom-style lecture to start the day:

• Trajectory
• Battle Sight Zero
• Come-Ups
• Target Detection
• Range Estimation
• Basic Compensation for Wind (Simplified Wind Rule)
• Emphasis of Cone of Fire and Rifleman's Dance (Talking Targets) with regards to distance shooting

Instructors then took turns presenting the KD POI they just heard and received feedback.

We then proceeded to shoot 5-round 200-yard sighters. Each instructor brought multiple center fires to try at distance and so we had many different (and beautiful!) rifles on the line. Every instructor was encouraged to clear the line after each string of fire to get familiar with as many rifles as possible. These included M1 Garands, Enfields, Mosins, ARs, M1As, a VZ-58, among others.

I believe all benefited, but I will let them chime in with their own experiences. 

Special thanks to vernic82 and TOMINCT for their tireless BOTG work and getting everything we needed for the event. And of course, a huge thanks to vernic82 and his wife Mary Ann who put on an after-shoot BBQ at their house for us with only a moment's notice. Food, folks and fun - it was a great time! And definitely more worthwhile than finding a local dive for grub.

All in all, it was a great first Instructor KD shoot here in CT. I certainly learned a boatload just "shoot bossing" this type of event. Many improvements to come in the next iteration, but it is highly recommended that each state/region put on one of these for the benefit of the Instructor corps and Appleseed.

CJ

[vernic82]

Great AAR CJ - this WAS the first of many to come.

I learned much in being able to proficiently teach the KD POI.

This "shared learning" is a great way for all to benefit and to the betterment of our instruction as well as our KD marksmanship.

And of course the next time we are at the Fin, the BBQ will be open at the Vernic homestead for all attendees!

[smithy]

Great shoot. For me it was really first opportunity to try other than 25 m. distance with my M1A.
Thanks CortJestir for putting together the event and of course BOG Vernic82 thanks for causing range available and thanks for great reception in your place.
It is indeed reassuring to see CT crew growing so rapidly and be so energetic.
Hope to shoot with you guys many times in the feature.

[kfish]

had a blast on the range, thanks to everyone who showed up i had a great time. this was the longest range i have ever shot at and so just proves that what is taught at 25 meters works at distance.

[DuaneRN]

Sorry I missed it.  I was in town, but for a funeral so it would have been a little inappropriate to attend.

[davidgw1]

Thanks, CJ. I had a great time, and learned some lessons I'm not likely to forget.  And what a great way to get acquainted with a lot of other committed Appleseeders at one time.  Let's do it again soon.  DaveW