Muenster, TX KD AAR March 23-24 2024

[AF5US]

Spring has sprung in the great state of Texas, and an excellent known distance event was enjoyed.  The Muenster crew was thrilled to host a sold-out event!   

After a rousing review of IMC and MILS, it was on to a good discussion of trajectory and battle sight zero.  This particular range has a range requirement for distance events, where participants must place 5 shots in a 4" target from 100 yards - or in other words, they must verify that they can maintain a 4 MOA accuracy.  7 - as in SEVEN - of the 10 participants qualified after the first string of fire.  That may be a range record for us, and better yet the other 3 participants demonstrated excellent groupings.  Once we had those groupings sighted in, we were good to go.  This entire group truly was up on their form, which meant that we could focus on new information - like environmental factors.  Thank goodness for it, too (more on that soon).

The day continued on, with a pause at lunch to hear the story of The War of Regulation and a theoretical discussion of wind.  "Theoretical" because we couldn't ask for better weather (well, we finished the weekend with some sunburn but - whatever).  We actually managed to work in TWO AQTs on the first day, one of which ended in a rifleman score!

The second day demonstrated that "all magic comes at a price," and that includes weather.  We had expected the possibility of strong rain.  Fortunately that never materialized, but boy how the wind did blow.  We easily had winds at 20 mph, with gusts reaching 30 mph.  Fortunately it wasn't a full value wind, but it had a clear and noticeable impact nonetheless.  In some ways this was good.  We reviewed the wind (several times throughout the day), and the conditions necessitated taking wind out of the theoretical into the practical.  I'm so very impressed with how everyone stepped up and made adjustments to keep their groups on target 

The second morning actually started with target detection, and an emphasis on movement.  One instructor moved 500 yards down range and communicated via radio with the main group.  As the instructor returned to the line, participants had the opportunity to see how a target would change at various distances, and at which distance conversation could be heard.  After a discussion on some of the nuances of scope, it was time for the world-famous target ranging exercise.  Congratulations to Tennessee Beast for winning the coveted Project Appleseed Gadsden Flag chalice, which was definitely NOT a Buc-ee's purchase with a Project Appleseed sticker applied  Then it was on to Morgan's Shingle, where not one, not two but THREE people earned the elusive Morgan's Shingle patch.  Wow! 

After ANOTHER review of wind (because that's what the day called for), we started at 300 yards and shot a sighter to ensure everyone was on target - especially horizontally     We then proceeded to fire the rest of the AQT using Maximum Point Blank Range, and really drove home how effective the technique can be.  Lunch found us with a story of redemption in King's Mountain, and a discussion of how temperature, slope, mirage and more will all affect point of impact.  With tales of two riflemen and tales of Timothy Murphy along the way, we completed two AQTs the second day as well.  One of the participants knocked out a 40 point score on the last AQT, meaning that we had a total of TWO riflemen this weekend.  Oh, that rifleman from day 1? Not content with his score, he decided that a Distinguished patch was to be his and shot a 48   

Congratulations to everyone that came out.  You did great, and we had a great time with you.  A special shout-out to Ethan, who at 12 years old was the youngest person I have personally ever taught at a distance event.  Your safe rifle practices, and your shots on paper, did not go unnoticed sir.  A sincere thanks to ScottInTX for your steadfast help.  It broke my heart that you were going to participate AND instruct, but had scope issues     If only there was something that could be done.  Oh, wait - I'll see you back at the range in a few weeks.  Fix the scope and let's take advantage of daylight savings time     Last but certainly not least, a sincere "thank you" to Tennessee Beast for making the long drive out to hunt hogs and come hang out with us.  It was an honor and privilege to finally meet you IRL and work an event with you 

[Tennessee Beast]

I enjoyed it a lot!!!!!   This was the best wind practice I have had.  Looking forward to next time (October?).

My favorite quote of the weekend: "The cows are not a safe direction!!!"