Grand Island

[Mfeit3]

I just signed up my son and I for our first AS (the upcoming Grand Island event). The Oct 24th is his B-Day our trip + his new rifle are serving as a pretty special gift. We are both incredibly excited. I bought him a Marlin 795 and need to do a bit of shopping for myself. It is my understanding that my old Remington single shot is not a good choice for the type of shooting that we will be doing. So any one else going? Any tips for a couple of newbies?

Mike

[gibbs459]

Great!!!!!!!! What a birthday gift!!!

Please check out the following links. These links will answer most of your questions.
Look forward to meeting you in Grand Island!

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=8417.msg76866#msg76866
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=8162.msg74810#msg74810
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=8163.msg74813#msg74813
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=8173.msg74859#msg74859


Please post any questions you might still have.

[bixby]

Good job! You'll have a great time. I would say dress in layers. The day might start out pretty chilly, and hopefully will warm up thought the day.  Be sure to take some thing to lay on, if it is wet get a tarp to lay on to stay dry. Your single shot will work but a semi-auto .22 and at least two 10 round magazines is ideal. Take a willingness to learn and you cannot go wrong. Get one of your sons friends to go to..
bixby

[Mfeit3]

I bought my son a marlin 795 and an inexpesive scope.  When it came time for my puchase, I just could bring myself to buy a semi-auto.  I strongly prefer shooting bolt actions and made the decision to buy something that will work reasonably well for the AS and something that I would enjoy at the range. I bought a Savage MKii which is a mag fed bolt action with sligh swivel studs. I have two slings on order.

Now for a concern. I have been looking at what to expect at the event and it appears that a lot time is spent in the prone position.  A couple of years ago I underwent a pretty severe back surgery.  I had a TEN level fusion supported with titanium rods. Basically my entire thoracic spine is completely fused, doesn't bend, and does not twist. I have a decent amount of flexibility in my neck and a small amount in my lower back.  I have attempted shooting prone and it is virtually impossible and extremely painful  . I believe most sitting/kneeling positions or versions of them are doable. I probably should've check on this before I registered but hopefully the instructors are up for a bit of a challenge or I can sit out and support my son doing the prone portions of the instruction.

Thanks again and we are REALLY looking forward to that weekend.

[zombiehunter]

Welcome Mfeit3!  I'll be the Shoot Boss at the October Grand Island shoot and am looking forward to meeting you and your son.  Sounds like the two of you have a couple great new rifles that will be a lot of fun to break in!  We'll make the MKii work just fine for the AQT stages.  People have shot a Rifleman score with a bolt gun before, so don't even worry about it not being a semi. 

Regarding your fused vertebrae.... Appleseed Instructors are always up for a challenge!  Appleseed has a philosophy that you do the positions you can do and don't do the ones you can't.  If prone isn't going to work for you, then we'll have you shoot those stages from sitting, kneeling, or standing.  Whatever works best for you.  Everyone's body is different.  An Appleseed event isn't about doing every position and going home in excruciating pain.  Appleseed is about American Heritage and reigniting the flame of the American Revolution in the hearts and minds of every single American.   Get those slings on those new rifles and I'll see you in a few weeks!   

Zombie