Tips for a wet first appleseed -

[pglaeser]

My cousin and I are scheduled for our first event this Saturday in Mechanicsville (outside of Richmond). 

Current forecast is for an all day soak with 1+ inch of rain and temps in the mid 50s.

Looking for advice on what to bring and how to prepare for a wet event. 

Many thanks,
Phillip

[SteelThunder]

• Tarp for the ground.  Stakes to hold the tarp down.
• Rainsuit for you.  Wet bodies suck.  If you don't have a good one, go get a $20 PVC suit at the local Shop n' Rob.  A good rainsuit is worth its weight in gold though...don't cheat yourself.
• Waterproof boots.  Wet feet suck
• Layers.  Mid-50's or not, its easy to get cold in the rain.  Being cold sucks.  A Thermos of hot coffee/hot cocoa is nice too
• Something to shield your chair/gear at the equipment line...even a golf umbrella will work fine.
• Don't worry about your rifle...it will work in the rain.  Just make sure you field strip, dry, clean and oil after the event.
• Enjoy.  Relish in the fact that you are learning under less than ideal situations.  Makes you a better rifleman.  I hosted a Winterseed up here in Michigan in January.  2 feet of snow on the ground, temps in the single digits, strong wind and blowing snow where we couldn't see the targets sometimes.  Made 5 Riflemen that weekend.

[FiremanBob]

Steelthunder's list is just about right. I would add a hat with a long rear brim or a hood on that waterproof jacket, so that the water doesn't run down your neck - especially in prone.

[jmdavis]

When it's chilly and wet, you will want some warm food in addition to warm drink. Soup in a thermos would be good. The first time that I was at a Black Creek (Nov. 2008) shoot it was lows in the teens and highs in the low 30's with winds of 5-15 mph. One of the other instructors at the time brought a grill and we were able to have some warm food during lunch time.  Another time it started in the low 20's with snow and moved to the mid 30's turning to sleet and freezing rain.

The rest of my additions to the list would be:

Towel
Spare clothes
Spare socks
a couple of garbage bags (for the wet stuff)

Good luck. You are shooting in the tradition of Daniel Morgan's Riflemen and Patrick Henry's Hanover Militia.

[SteelThunder]

Some good advice except for the tarp.  It will just hold the water and before long you will be laying in a pool.  Plus it becomes slippery when wet.  When it rains you will get wet, when it's cold you will be cold, when it's hot you will be hot, but there are ways to make sure you're not miserable. 

Rain gear, something to keep your ammo dry, hat with a brim, dry clothes for the ride home if you have very far to go. 

Enjoy your first of many Appleseeds, rain or not it will be a great weekend.

Depends on the situation.  If the range is pooling water, muddy, sandy...believe me, you are going to want a tarp or some other way to keep the goo out of the rifle to keep it working. If you have a sufficient mat, that may be sufficient.  Hard to go pew pew when you're digging sand out of your action.

[George Hacker]

The rest of my additions to the list would be:

Towel
Spare clothes
Spare socks
a couple of garbage bags (for the wet stuff)

Good luck. You are shooting in the tradition of Daniel Morgan's Riflemen and Patrick Henry's Hanover Militia.

+100 on the spare clothes, socks, and shoes, especially if you have a long drive home.

The garbage bags can also be used for equipment, like your range bag and ammunition.

Your preparation will serve you well in the rain and help you have an enjoyable event, despite the foul weather. Have a great time!

[hawkeye]

Being prepared with the above items is important. Having the right mental attitude is important too, don't dwell on being in the rain focus on the task at hand. If you focus on being cold and wet your done for.  I shoot rain or shine, last match it was near freezing with a gusting 18mph wind. It was a challenge but I learned a lot about what not to do in those conditions. Have fun!   

[pglaeser]

Thanks for the responses.  I'm sure we will enjoy ourselves no matter the conditions. 

I'll plan on being over prepared and hope the rain isn't as heavy as forecasted. 

[Maximum Ordinate]

Lots of good advice above.  I only have one thing to add:

High humidity = more likely for glasses to fog up.  Consider some of that anti-fog stuff for your glasses.  It's frustrating laying there, waiting for the fire command, and watch your glasses fog up right before your eyes.   

[JL]

The set up at Black Creek is such that there is a covered area for your gear that doesn't come to the line with you, but you will be shooting from out in the open.  Looking forward to seeing you there!