Columbiana, Alabama 9-10 August 2014 AAR

[4merUSMC1803]

It turned out to be a wonderful weekend at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Training Center in Columbiana, AL. 

On Saturday we started with 12 shooters, mostly teenagers, all affiliated with the Shelby County Sports Shooters Association.  This is a local 4-H junior club that shoots BB gun, Air Rifles, some smallbore, and some high power, depending on age.

The weather could have been better on Saturday.  Thunderstorms with heavy lightning forced an early end on the afternoon of Day 1, but not before all the shooters heard the Three Strikes! Contingency plans for the inclement weather forecast for Sunday proved unnecessary, as the 10 returning shooters were able to go the distance with no weather issues.  16-year-old Sammy R. posted the high scores for the weekend, qualifying with a 248 on the first AQT of the day, and scoring an impressive 249 on the next. (BTW--Full disclosure, Sammy is the current Alabama Junior State High Power Champion, BUT he was shooting a "loaner" 10/22 rifle he had never touched before the weekend)  Sam R. (Sammy's dad) was the next qualifier with a 238.  Then came Jason H. with a 228, followed by his 12-year-old son Jakob H.  qualifying with a 218.  13-year-old Taylor J. rounded out the Rifleman qualifications with a 210 on the nose, confirming it with a 213 in the afternoon.  She earned her baptism with North Bridge water!  50% of the shooters that began the day qualified with expert scores and earned Rifleman designation; and all were first-time Appleseeders!  Honorable mention goes to 15-year-old Jordan B who was knocking on the door with a 209 and several close scores in the 200s.  She showed a los of persistance and determination; I believe she'll earn a Rifleman patch in the near future.

Bottom Line--It was great having so many young students who demonstrated advanced capability in safe shooting and safe handling of rifles.  Safety violations were non-existant at this event.

Thanks to all for helping to make this one of the most personally satisfying Appleseeds ever.
We hope to see you all come back, soon!

Finally, a big Thank You to Sheriff Chris Curry and his training staff for hosting us and allowing us to use the wonderful facilities at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Training Center.

[Ramblin' Wreck]

A 249? Get that man a hat!

Great job guys. I'm going to try and make an event in Columbiana in the near future if possible.

Huzzah!

Wreck