Muenster, TX AAR August 26-27 2023

[mrakestraw]

Last weekend we saw a hot but great 25m event at the Goin Firearms range in Muenster! I want to thank all of our shooters and instructors for a safe and fun shoot. Even in the shade, clouds, and a breeze, the temperature remained steadily in the 100s. This meant that all students and instructors definitely earned their Caliente Seed patch. Persistence is key to being a rifleman and weather is absolutely a factor.

We had a group of shooters from different backgrounds and all ages from a teenager to experienced shooters. We saw many familiar faces and I'm glad they're coming back to learn more. It was great seeing shooters use the classical rifle stances with a variety of rifles from the standard 10-22 to Blackhawk Down inspired rifles. These shooters came prepared. On the first Hits Count Target we had two shooters hit the Morgan's shingle and one shooter cleaned the target!

We used the newer course of fire which focuses more on dry practice but we managed to get in a couple of AQTs in the first day because of efficient instruction. Flighttime helped out immensely setting the standards for calling the line in the morning and ScottinTX taught a majority of the day to earn his IIT3. Congratulations Scott! AF5US, Flighttime, and ScottinTX covered a stirring three strikes which helped the shooters understand the sacrifices and brave actions of our forefathers.

During the second day we shot the hits count target, checked zeroes and then launched into AQTs. Helaman reviewed most of the instruction of day 2 and did well at reviewing all major points of instruction. He is a great one-on-one instructor and is is working very hard at communicating precisely what is needed to students.

Some Dangerous Old Men stories from ScottinTX, Helaman, and AF5US helped inspire the shooters in between AQTs. However, some shooters needed help with the sitting stage. By posting a Green Coat target and breaking down the sitting into two steps, the transition, and the actual shooting, the shooters were able to understand how to practice purposefully and scores rose as a result. Because of the more advanced shooters, they watched and taught each other under the watchful eye of the instructor cadre for the ball-and-dummy drill. By teaching and then sharing what they saw to the group allowed other shooters to understand finer points about the shooting process.

Because of the upcoming known distance event, the experience of our shooters, and the shooter's ability and interest, the known distance event was covered more in detail than usual. Shooters, if you can't make it this time we have multiple known distance events in the state! Check the Appleseed website for more KD shoots.

At the end of the day we saw not one, not two, but three Rifleman on the last AQT! Among these was none other than our favorite Bluehat, Ray Of Sunshine, congrats on earning your 211!

We saw a lot of familiar faces and I'm glad they keep coming back. For all shooters seeking excellence, having consistent purposeful practice with brutally honest feedback will allow you to meet and exceed your shooting goals. Come back and earn Rifleman or distinguished if you haven't!

[Leam]

Enjoyed the shoot, the instruction, and the camaraderie! Thanks for doing a great job as Shoot Boss, and thank you to all of the instructors!

[AF5US]

I think that the lesson here is that parents shouldn't challenge children unless they are ready to follow through with the consequences.

Ray of Sunshine asked for Braum's on the way home, but I told her we couldn't because she didn't earn Rifleman. 
"What if I earn sharpshooter, one level below?"
"Then we'll talk."
So . . . she earned it.
"Okay - we can go to Braum's for dinner, but no ice cream because you didn't score expert rifleman."
And then . . . you won't believe this . . . but she stepped up, listened to all of the feedback that I gave her, and scored 211 points.  No modifications or special allowances, at 13 years old she earned it.  I wasn't actually expecting her to qualify this weekend but I'm a man of my word.

[AF5US]

I happen to know this young man personally.  Before this weekend he was very new to firearms, but keen to learn.  The fact that he earned rifleman on his very first weekend is quite the testament to his ability to take instruction, his dedication, and the effectiveness of the program.

[OD_Grim]

Thanks for the awesome introduction into the world of Appleseed.  I can't begin to quantify the valuable information I learned over the weekend.  Also, props to an awesome staff who made the entire staff, who made the weekend safe, informative and fun.

[JustKim]

CONGRATS to all the new Rifleman / Riflewoman!!!  A speical CONGRATULATIONS to Ray of Sunshine!!  I am so happy for you!

That is some crazy heat and I'm amazed that everyone hung in there all weekend!

WAY TO GO!!

[Captain]

Sounds like another fantastic event up there in Texoma. (Glad Ray of Sunshine got that ice cream - congrats on the Rifleman)

[ScottInTX]

The quality of persistence was exemplified by the shooters this weekend, especially on Sunday!  As the day progressed, and the temps climbed north of the century mark, so did the scores!  This was really a great event, it was really great to see two younger shooters do so well.

[scuzzy]

And then . . . you won't believe this . . . but she stepped up, listened to all of the feedback that I gave her, and scored 211 points.  No modifications or special allowances, at 13 years old she earned it.  I wasn't actually expecting her to qualify this weekend but I'm a man of my word.

lol - that is so cool.

And dang they're growing up quick. I'm trying to think of when was the last time I saw your crew. Two years back or so?

[AF5US]

And then . . . you won't believe this . . . but she stepped up, listened to all of the feedback that I gave her, and scored 211 points.  No modifications or special allowances, at 13 years old she earned it.  I wasn't actually expecting her to qualify this weekend but I'm a man of my word.

lol - that is so cool.

And dang they're growing up quick. I'm trying to think of when was the last time I saw your crew. Two years back or so?

In my defense, a few months back I had everyone loaded up in the van and was heading to the Waco shoot when we had major vehicle issues on the side of the highway.  Good times.