Gaston, SC October 19-20, 2013

[TheIronMantis]

It was a beautiful overcast day in Gaston this past Saturday.  However, even the brief rain didn't dampen our spirits.  Seventeen attendees arrived at the Mid-Carolina Rifle Club to begin/continue their path towards becoming Rifleman.

After the morning redcoat we learned that South Carolina folks shoot pretty well (as usual of course), but there were still lots of improvements to be made.  Throughout the morning, the three pillars of rifle marksmanship were introduced including Steady Hold Factors, Six Steps of Firing the Shot and Natural Point of Aim.  Throughout the morning we saw groups shrinking in size while concepts of Rifleman's Cadence and Talking Targets were conveyed while conducting dry fire, and NPOA drills.

At Lunch, Leadfarmer treated us to a story called the First Strike of the Match followed by armaborealis's presentation of the Second Strike.  These talks got us thinking about how much we value liberty today compared to our ancestors and we were left feeling somewhat inadequate in comparison to the patriots of old.

After lunch the seated and standing positions were introduced and it was emphasized that just because you change positions doesn't mean you can forget about those Six Steps or Natural Point of Aim.  During the afternoon break we heard the story of the Third Strike from dreamerofdreams and we learned where the Revolutionary War actually started and where it was won.

After the break it was back out to the line to try our hands at an AQT.  No one broke the coveted 210 score.  However, there were several shooters that were knocking on that door.

After the AQT we learned about the 7th step of firing the shot, and what our responsibilities are to maintain the liberty that was fought so hard for over 200 years ago.  We were told to take care of ourselves and our rifles and were dismissed for the day.

Sunday, the shooters returned well rested and ready for another day of shooting.  In the morning we reviewed our three pillars of marksmanship, while making sight adjustments to our rifles and conducting ball and dummy, NPOA and some other drills to prepare us for some AQTs.  Before lunch we shot an AQT, that didn't produce any new Riflemen, but yet again, several shooters will knocking on that door.  During lunch we heard about some Dangerous Old Men, Brave Women and Gallant Children in addition to the occurences at the Battles of Waxhaws and King's Mountain.  Throughout the afternoon we shot more AQTs and squares.  We also discussed, target detection, range estimation, wind estimation and what kind of sight adjustments we need to make to apply our shooting techniques at longer ranges.  During the afternoon all shooters were knocking on the door of that Rifleman score.  However, Lora and Alex were able to score an expert score and claim their Rifleman patch.  Poor Alex did get a little wet because we had to stick with the tradition of throwing him in the nearest pond since he scored a 210.  However, this shoot boss was too tired too carry him to the nearest pond.  So the nearest water bottle was used instead.  Also, that particular pond is known to be home to a few gators so the water bottle probably was a good idea...

After grinding through some AQTs we were tired and a little sunburned.  Although we still couldn't quite get anyone else to break that 210 everyone was VERY close.  I am confident at their next 'seed they will earn that patch.  That is, IF you continue to practice these perishable skills.

Thanks to all the instructors that came to help.  Thanks to the Mid-Carolina Rifle Club for continuing to be a gracious host. Thanks to Lora and Alex for stepping up and taking an orange hat.  It will be great to be instructing at your side in the near future.  Thanks most of all to the attendees that came out to make this a great event!

I saw a lot of pictures being taken this weekend.  So if you have them, please post them up!

[TheIronMantis]

The only picture I was able to take was dreamerofdreams and her "future rifleman under construction" presenting Lora her orange hat.

[TAZDevil]

congratulation
sounds like a successful shoot

[DEH]

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[TheIronMantis]

Thanks for bringing the young man out.  He is well on his way to becoming a rifleman himself!