AAR - 1-day 200 yd Rimfire KD in Sudlersville, MD Oct 29 2022

[Catch-10-22]

A long sold-out and highly anticipated 200yd rimfire KD started with perfect fall weather - sunny but cool - with 8 very experienced prior Rifleman (including a large number of distinguished and 250 shooters) taking on the RKD challenge.

Zeroing at 50 yards showed that this group had some skills and went very quickly. After covering the core instruction of target identification, ranging, and compensation factors for longer range shots (gravity, atmospheric conditions, wind, etc.) we started to build DOPE on rifles at increasing distances. This started with the vertical squares target, to confirm tracking and sufficient elevation out to 200 yards. With that completed, we shifted to confirming zero at actual ranges with un-timed positional practice moving back toward the 200 yard line.

With zeros confirmed we posted our first RKD AQT target of the day, starting at the 200 yard line in slow fire prone and working toward the targets with a moving firing line. We had some impressive scores at 200 with 5 shooters shooting 15/20 or better. The final 3 stages also saw some impressive performances, with 4 shooters clocking scores of 29-30/30. In the end, we had 5 qualifiers on the first target!

But we were just getting started - on the second RKD AQT target, working from 50 back to 200, every single one of those shooters re-qualified. Huzzah!

• Ian scored a 46 on the first target and then a perfect 50 on the second!
• Chris scored a 40 on the first target and then a 48 on the second.
• Tom scored a 48 on the first target with an AR conversion and then switched to a bolt action Springfield Model 1922 with iron sights to score a 44 on the second. That is the highest score I have seen at the 200-yard rimfire event with a bolt action with irons.
• Bill came back with a basic 10/22 with tech sights and scored a 46 on the first target and a 41 on the second - way to go! We did a write up last year on how much practice and preparation he did to make this happen and it was amazing to see him break through with the highest iron sights score I have seen yet at one of these 200 yard events.
• Matt scored a 46 on the first target and a 41 on the second and was very excited to earn his Rocker.

Only a few folks took part in a late-day 3rd RKD AQT and no one was able to break through. However, we did have a lot of folks that were very close, with scores in the mid-to-high 30s. Jim, I hope you figure out what the issue at 200 is, because your 50-150 targets were very good. John, I am sorry you only noticed your loose scope rings on the last target, but that explains why things really opened up after a strong first target. Paul, you were crushing it at 50-150 and I hope you come back to nail that 200 yard target next time.

Tucked into this great day of shooting was the 125 yard Morgan's Shingle cold bore challenge. We had 10 folks try it (2 instructors wanted a chance) and we had THREE people hit the target. Tom nailed it with his AR, Bill hit the edge with his Tech Sights 10/22 (the sun hit the target just right and he made the shot!), and Shoot Boss Catch-10-22 pulled out his CZ 455 with iron sights, slid the rear ladder sight to 125, and hit it with his only shot of the day.

This isn't to say that the event was all shooting - the students enjoyed the history, including the unique "Tale of Two Rifleman" segment we only do at this event. We wrapped with the benediction, discussion of other event types (pistol, centerfire KD, etc.) after a very long day and packed up as the sun was getting low on the horizon.

Thanks to MDshooter, Agent711, Liberty Boy, and BeSwift for the hard work on the line all day. And thanks to Delmarva Sportsman Association for hosting - it could not be a better range for this event.

Pictures are posted to the Maryland Appleseed Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100064405762810&set=a.491292173027637

Hope to see you on the line at a future event!

[V-Ring Circus]

Great shooting all around!  It was nice to see everyone in the group so passionate about improving their marksmanship, which was evident by the amount of conversation and 'shooter talk' occurring on the line.  There's something to be said about Bill and his basic liberty training rifle.  He is a living case study that the basic program works - no specialized equipment or high-dollar rifles needed, just know YOUR loadout.  46 hits with tech sights is an outstanding, outstanding effort and score.  With that being said, I think Tom's 44 with the Model 1922 bolt gun might be more impressive.  That doesn't happen by accident.  You know those guys are practiced with those rifles and know them inside and out.  Very impressed and glad to have seen and been part of it.