Bunnell, FL November 2 - 3, 2013

[FLawyer]

The weatherman said we had a 20 - 30% chance of "showers" on Saturday.  Actually, it rained most of the day and we had maybe 20% without showers.  But the rain did not dampen the spirit of the 12 intrepid shooters who showed up early and stayed late to drink from the firehose of instruction and learn about the true events of April 19, 1775.  The entire Baker family - Bill, Hannah (13) & William (10) [Mom observed] were there, Summer (10) who got the "bug" at the Open House weekend (her parents brought her with her brand new pink Cricket), Dix (70+), Ed (70+), the Belchers - Stacy and Lynn, Debbie, Al (70+) and Shelby (17) all started with the Redcoat target before jumping right into learning about Sling Use, Solid Shooting Position, Six Steps to Firing the Shot and NPOA.  After some one on one coaching during dry practice from Bruce (9mm4545), Chris (Prof C. J.), Tom (TomM1Thumb), Teresa (DeadEyeRed) and myself, we launched into sighting in and firing with live ammunition.  Instead of the traditional squares we used sheets from the old Multi-sheet AQTs previously sold by Fred.  After a couple of 5 round sighters showed most of the shooters were shooting 8 MOA or less we proceeded with Seated, Transitions, and finally Standing. 
Over lunch under a tin roof with rain pounding down the shooters heard about the sacrifices of April 19, 1775.  After lunch we resumed our instruction with more dry practice to fine tune positions and NPOA. While Saturday revealed no new Riflemen, it did result in improvement based upon the final Redcoat of the day. 
Sunday was clear, cooler and windy.  Most of our shooters returned although moving a little slower.   Douglas 34474 joined us to help some of the younger shooters on Sunday.  After quickly reviewing all the prior instruction we launched into the AQT grind. 
After lunch the AQT grind continued.  KD instruction was presented and followed by the final AQT of the day and the final Redcoat.  No new Riflemen, but the smiles, hugs and handshakes showed the shooters had enjoyed the process.  All vowed to keep at it at home with dry practice and to come back to a future event.  Dix, your 207 was soooo close and if your neighbor had not shot your target on stage 3 I think you would have made the score.  You sir demonstrate the epitome of Marine Corps determination and persistence.  You will shoot the score and soon.
The rest of you - keep practicing perfectly and you will improve. 

God Bless You and Thank You for spending your weekend with Appleseed.

FLawyer
Glenn Padgett

[9mm4545]

Saturday was indeed soggy but Sunday made up for it. It was an interesting line: two shooters well on the other side of 70 and four shooters under 14 on Saturday.

If you have an issue with cross firing on your neighbor's target, this is diagnostic of a problem in NPOA. Well, that and failing to identify your target. Poor Dix; so close and the "help" he received was not help he wanted. Next time, for sure. Debbie, practice your prone position at home and learn to truly relax into the sling. When the position is no longer truly uncomfortable, relaxation will be easier. Now, while staying relaxed, shift to bring your sights onto the target. No muscles required other than your trigger hand and your breathing. And remember, Rifleman's Cadence will help your groups.

Thanks to all for coming out.