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San Jose 9/29-30 'Veterans Only' KD Appleseed AAR

Started by Nero, September 30, 2012, 12:07:45 AM

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Nero

The first day is in the books for our inaugural Appleseed event at San Jose's "Metcalf" range.  This was a special shoot, for prior Appleseeders only, as we work out KD and other procedures for this 200 yard line.

On this Saturday (which was 'Sunday' for a regular 'seed) we had one new Rifleman step forward.  Huzzah for Larry M and a 221 score!   ^:)^  We have previous Rifleman well represented on the line, and two of them turned in re-qualify targets, Larry B with a 228 and John C. with a 216.  We had several other shooters whose scores showed they are on the edge of putting it together, so we expect great things tomorrow! 

We also got five of our shooters set up with zeros/come-ups, so there will be some KD AQT action starting first thing tomorrow, and we'll be taking another relay through the process so they can join the fun.  We had some good feedback from the shooters on this new setup and POI, and we'll be taking some of that into account tomorrow.

Today we topped out at 83 degrees in the shade, in spite of dire warnings from the weather service.  Tomorrow is forecast for 98 degrees  ::)   !@#) - let's hope they are wrong again!

"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

Nero

For the first time evah!  Pix after the first day!  (OK, I had to download the camera to verify sight lines for tomorrow's setup, but I'll take credit anyway.   ;D)

The 2nd Appleseed range in the Bay Area.  200 yards of KD awesomeness!  We welcome Santa Clara County's "Metcalf" Field Sports park to the AS family!


Instructors sneak in a little trigger time.  :~


Day 1 setup from firing line center (note front sight measurement tool on 25m backers)


Ballistics instruction time (it's easier to draw a trajectory on a sideways easel.   ;D )


The first Rifleman forged at Metcalf range - Larry M!   ^:)^


Afternoon action - sight-in on the KD line


The only catch about the spiffy covered firing line - the shade is gone by mid-afternoon!  Appleseeder BBQ by tomorrow PM?  Stay tuned and find out!


"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

eaglescouter

Old Guy:  Do it long enough and you get really good at it.

Rifleman:  Sacramento:  Four Ought Nine
Full Distance:  Red Bluff:  What year was that?
Pistoleer™:  Hat Creek:  Three Twenty One

Make yourselves good scouts and good rifle shots in order to protect the women and children of your country if it should ever become necessary.
--Lord Baden-Powell
Scouting for Boys (1908)

NorCal22Gal

Cant' wait for the Ladyseed next year... cool...nice work Nero!!!

Nero

The weatherman was right about Sunday, but fortunately the timing was wrong.  We had gotten through six KD AQTs plus a fun shoot by the time that Central Valley air started rolling in and turned on the roaster.  It was 93 as we drove out the range gates just before 4PM (closing time here) - but we ran through 99 degrees in Palo Alto and Los Altos on the way home.

And what was accomplished in that time!

We have three new rifleman forged on the 25m line:

John H with a 216
Kelly 211 - which makes her the first rifleWOMAN at the Metcalf range, and the 3d in the Bay Area
Todd 214 after knocking on the door the whole day

And several more right on the edge.  Remember, dry practice - remember those steady hold factors - and you'll have it!

Over on the KD line, zeros and come-ups had been acquired and they got down to work.  We had three previous Rifleman pick up their Long Distance rockers:

Andy F with a 44/50
Larry B topped out at 46/50 and
John C with a 43/50

Our fun shoot consisted of a 'Daniel Morgan' test:  One shot, cold barrel, any position, on targets with an MOA size approximating the Red Coat 'plank', some of them at unknown ranges.  An appropriate sized chunk of steel I-beam at 200 yards was a special - 3 hits in a row got the grand prize.  Shooters put their names in an IIT hat to draw for order.  Larry B was first up, and plugged that steel three times right off, kind of cutting that part of the contest short.  Andy F also punished the steel - two shots in a row.  IIT guru took on the unknown range challenge with a brand new AR, and blasted an innocent (water filled) yogurt tub to smithereens.  Lots of others were close, but there were a number of targets that survived to be shot another day - which may well happen, as this was well received.  The Metcalf chapter of Morgan's Rifleman has its first three members!

And the last bit of good news is that we already have two official dates for 2013 at this range - the last weekends in March and June.  March will be a 'regular' Appleseed, with special promotional efforts directed to south Santa Clara County and the Salinas Valley.  We've decided to repeat the KD shoot in March, incorporating some of the suggestions from this time's shooters.  June will the Bay Area's first Ladyseed, with Norcal22Gal already volunteering to SB.  We're also negotiating for some single day slots, which may well become future KD events.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help us inaugurate the range, both for the safe and fun event, and for your thoughtful feedback and suggestions during the shoot.  If anything further comes to mind, please post it up here!    And finally thanks to Santa Clara County Parks for hosting us!
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

Nero

And more pix!

KD Rifleman Andy!   ^:)^



and Larry B, high KD scorer of the day!


And we had some folks pick up their patches at 25m.  Here's John H   O0


Kelly missed that North Bridge water by one point - it might have felt good!  She's the first riflewoman from the Metcalf range!


And Todd makes it in on the next to last AQT of the day, and backs it up with another qualifier to close out the weekend.


Chris should make it next time, but meanwhile his footgear is teh awesome!  The ladies were jealous.  Tuber!


Special thanks to IIT Han Solo (Albert) who regularly shoots High Power on this range, was instrumental in getting Appleseed in here, and spent the weekend helping KD shooters get sighted in.    :bow:   :bow:


An afternoon shot of Ben, showing the second stand of KD targets in the background.  The splashes from the near 25m targets were hitting the ground well in front of the 200 yard rack.


The full album is here.

I saw some iPhones and others out there.  Post 'em up if you got 'em!
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

Edheler

Looks like you had a great shoot Nero. Wish I were there!

SoulMan

So jealous right now! You guys rock! Keep up the great work and see you on the trail!
The 1st and 2nd Amendments capture the spirit of the Constitution; the 9th and 10th, its soul.

Nero

A couple of final photos.  Here we have .30-'06 vs. foundation stake:





Do not argue with the mighty M1 Garand!
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

Nero

#9
I also wanted to add personal thanks to Andrew for letting me borrow his left-bolt Ruger Scout and burn up his ammo.   :~  I'd really been wanting to get my hands on one of those - sweet!   O0  The wish-list just got a little longer...
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

John C

Nero;

I just wanted to say that you and the IITs that you guys did a great job!  I really enjoyed the opportunity to shoot at longer range.

Thanks!

-John