FLASH REPORT - Medford, OR Appleseed - July 07

[Fred]

     A sunny clear day, a little on the hot side, brought out ten Appleseeders to check out their rifles and maybe learn something about shooting them.

     For once, NO AR-15s showed - a very unusual state of things.

     And, most unusually, the walk-ons did not show, only one lonely walk-on showing up to register. Was this a Northwestern phenomenon, or simply a statistical anomaly?

     40% used .22 rimfires, including one bolt-action repeater.

     The rest were Garands, M1As, and a lone up-dated (for lack of a better/more informed word) FAL.

     Plus a single sporterized M1917 Enfield.

     Put up against the Redcoat target, these guys were no different from Appleseeders anywhere across the country - about half could put three shots on the 100-yd target; the other half could not do even that well. (This is an issue of sighting-in as much as marksmanship.)

     Then into the standard 'fire-hose' grind, so that by lunch we had a total of 33 rounds downrange(!)

     A couple of guys flaked out due to the heat or other health issues, but stuck around until the end of the day.

     After lunch, we cranked up with our old friend Ball & Dummy, which always leads to new knowledge of one's self.

     Then took on a one-inch square with five rounds rapid to work on cadence.

     And then the 40-rd Classification AQT in its new guise as a "Practice AQT".

     Along the way, some people started to "get it" and some very good groups were being turned in. Either some of these guys are 'naturals' or else they really learn fast!

     The QD AQT had scores in the high Sharpshooter range for some of these guys, with one guy breaking close with a 201. If he hadn't have had one 'miss' on the stage 4 targets, he'd have broken into Rifleman...

     We were in a 100-yd pit with a covered firing line, which featured a cool breeze in the shade of the shelter.

     Of course, we were 75 yards in front of the shelter, out in the sun, with the sunlight bouncing off the reflective side berms and the gravel floor of the pit, so yes, it was pretty warm...

     A bandana soaked in water and draped over your head was a definite plus...

     We finished with the final redcoat target of the day, with a big jump in the number qualified at 200 and 300 yards - including one guy who couldn't (evidently) put three on the hundred and two-hundred silhouettes, but could put three on the three-hundred - "go figure"!

      Earlier, on the "Practice AQT" and the QD AQT, we saw the usual anomalies: guys who could shoot dime-sized groups standing, but half-dollar groups prone (? - not supposed to happen that way, right?)

     Plus, on the last RC of the day, one guy fired a dime-sized group on the 100-yard target, well-centered, but couldn't get a small group on the smaller targets.

     The person with the most persistent problems was the bolt-action .22. Enormous groups at the beginning. Some advice to concentrate on Steps 1 & 2 because of the short sight radius of his open sights (and because of the open sights) reduced the group size by 50-75%, but the group was still 8-12 MOA, so he has some other issues, possibly positional, to work on. If he's back in the morning, will try to see that he gets special attention - but first let's see how he does on the first RC target of the morning.

     He was at Grant's Pass last December and IIRC was struggling there with issues but had overcome them by the end of the weekend.

     Maybe we need to have monthly Appleseeds in Medford to keep his skills up and in trim.

     PS: The guy with the 1917 Enfield didn't do too badly...

[Fred]

    Sunday, another sunny and clear day, and the band gathered at the range at 9 AM, where we started with a free-wheeling discussion of the current sit and how Appleseed fits into the Big Picture.

    Then out to the redcoat target, where shooting, after a full day's training (did I say we ran until 6 PM the day before?), was a lot better than the day before.

    Ball-and-Dummy followed on a black square, and then the 40-rd Classification AQT in anticipation of the QD AQT, which we fired thru lunch, as Fred explained to them they'd shoot better hungry, on an empty belly, than they would with a full belly after lunch.

    Some people were real close to Rifleman - in the 200s - like 205, 207, etc - and others were breaking into Sharpshooter (175+).

     (I sent them home with targets to use for recruiting and practice, so believe these guys will be up to speed in a short time. Now they will have to carry on...)

    After lunch we fired another QD AQT, followed by the concluding redcoat target to close out the weekend.

    Generally speaking, as expected, shooters showed improvement not only in grouping ability but in self-diagnosis and problem-solving.

    Could have used some of the new "Shot-Group Analysis" sheets, as this was a serious group of shooters, and they would have appreciated them - but they didn't make the long journey because I was having to save on baggage weight...

     The heat was enough that Fred called them together early on and explained about the 'oven' effect of being in the pit, and suggested they soak cloth of any kind in water and put around their necks - some also soaked their hats - to everyone's great relief from the heat, I might add. And a little bit of survival thinking in action.

     In the morning session I brought up the team concept for them to think about when they get back home.

     The afternoon closing discussion session, since there was no long-range component to this shoot, was a summation of "Long-range shooting" and how it differs from the 25m shooting they'd been doing all weekend, and how they can expect to shoot after training to Rifleman standards at 25m, with some comments on wind, come-ups, target detection, range estimation, and the Rifleman Dance.

    Central issues at this Appleseed appeared to be trigger control, specifically 1) finger bouncing off the trigger, 2) snatching the trigger, 3) dragging wood, and 4) not holding back the trigger for Followthrough. You can add a healthy dose of Finger Bouncing Off the Trigger to that list, too.

    Other issues were the usual position unfamiliarity and discomfort, trying to remember the six steps while doing them (Sat only), and laying out in the sun, baking...

    Ever so nice Fred told them, as he generally tells all Appleseeders, that they'll look back on this experience they are suffering thru and think "Gee, it wasn't so bad, after all - in fact, it was kinda fun!" And they will...

    Another good Appleseed (#20 this year for Fred, if I count correctly - if I can only pick up the pace a little, I should be able to do 40 before year's end ).

    And Fred makes no secret to anyone about it. EVERY Appleseed is a good one.

    This bunch, small in number, made up for it in quality.

    Serious people, serious about learning.

    One guy nearly shot a rifleman score with a sporterized M1917 Enfield, except that he mistakely fired nine .308 rounds - which works OK, except it plays H with your elevation on the target! But he was having to hold off because of his sights - aiming way down at 5 o'clock all weekend - but once he found his aiming point, he was 'good to go' - and went. Good effort! Way to persist! Real rifleman attitude!

     We need to see the word get out in OR, WA, and CA so that next time more people get to experience a prolonged dip in the marksmanship pool, along with a nice extra rinse in the rifleman heritage of April 19, 1775...

     Thanks to the RWVA volunteers who came up from CA to help out. They made the job a lot easier by arriving with a load of much-needed cardboard.

[ddreger]

We had a really great group of people all serious about shooting, and improving.

Although I didn't make rifleman, I did get a pretty decent sharpshooter score, or was that senior cook, or wire spooler...In any case, I learned so much in those two days. I look forward to putting the new techniques to practice, particularly focussing on trigger control and breathing, but of course shooting every shot by the numbers. At my next Appleseed I will shoot rifleman.

My immediate mission is to get my brother and nephews involved in the program, and then I'll start at Bezerkeley which will be a challenge.

Anyhoo, a great two days with so much fun and learning. Fred sure wasn't kidding when he said an Appleseed is like a 1 week course stuffed into two short days.

[Old Dog]

Ran across this on the M14 Firing Line Public Forum - some comments from a guy who went to the Medford Appleseed. 

07-22-2007, 10:11 PM 
Uhlan 
Snappin In   Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 29 



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I went to the Medford, OR Appleseed yesterday and shot a borrowed 10-22. The owner had crafted a neat dovetail adaptor plate so as to mount an M14NM front sight assy on the factory front sight dovetail and an adaptor plate to elevate a Williams aperture rear sight assembly for the rear. Honestly, most of us are not machinist capable to build such a nice set up and the tech sights I have on my personal 10-22 are 99% as effective if only 75% as good looking. With the ongoing assaults of Socialist legislation and leadership orders, hanging on to MBR ammo should probably be a priority. Mastering the 6 steps and NPOA should be learned as cheaply as possible w/ a replaceable resource, 22LR. Unfortunately I couldn't make day 2 of this Appleseed. Everyone that is a shooter or wants to become a shooter should attend an Appleseed at least 1x. There is something there even for a High Master level shooter.
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Iron Horse Marines

[Fred]

     Gee, don't you just get tired of all the good reviews?

     Yes, we know we have a good program in Appleseed, and it sure feels good when you Appleseeders weigh in with positive comments so we know we're right!