AAR - Marriottsville, MD 1-day 200-yard RKD - May 25 2025

[Catch-10-22]

Our second Springtime 200 yard Rimfire Known Distance (RKD) event in Marriottsville, Maryland was a huge success! We were blessed again with perfect weather for Maryland at this time of year - temperatures in the 50s and 60s with no humidity and plenty of sunshine. 11 shooters (we were able to fit two instructors on the line) came out the Sunday before Memorial Day knowing this advanced class would take everything they had.

Appleseed's RKD events are built around the 3 challenges a Rifleman faces: (1) Target Detection, (2) Range Estimation, and (3) Making the Shot.  A known distance event takes two of those out of the equation (we used a fixed target line and moving firing line with distances set at 50-100-150-200 yards).

But making the shot...it wasn't just one challenge on Sunday, it was a lot of sub-challenges.

After our introductions, safety brief, and the first module of instruction, we moved to the 50-yard line for squares. This was an experienced bunch and we were rewarded with tight groups and short section on IMC to make adjustment.

We then moved to instruction on trajectory and other environmental effects on bullets in flight. We used the vertical squares target to confirm sighting systems had sufficient elevation and consistent tracking. Several shooters started to experience challenges with equipment that were worked through with instructors.

We then started to work back toward the 200 yard line, taking notes on come-ups at each distance. Lycos had provided a module on how to read and estimate wind speed and effects on bullets in flight. The swirling winds that were gusting across different parts course created challenges for the shooters trying to hold in a consistent manner. While we have used this range several times before, this was the quirkiest wind I had seen and we could see it on targets. The moving firing line was also challenged by materials for range rebuilding - we had to do some creative (but safe) alignment of shooters around the 150 so they could see their targets.

Once we got back to the 200 yard line, we broke for lunch and the 3 Strikes of the Match.    IIT moar_en_blocs - who border raided from Richmond, VA to help us out - led us off with the first strike, Phoebe continued withe the second, then moar did a roaring 3rd strike (admittedly his favorite part of the story) to help refocus our shooters and give them a chance to rest.

We then confirmed 200 yard zeros and started our first AQT of the day, moving from the 200 yard line (slow fire prone) toward the 50 (standing). Chris S and Jim W turned in our first RKD Rifleman scores. The students then started our second RKD AQT traditionally with stage 1, working back to the 200 yard line. Bill K requalified with his first Rifleman score of the day and Chris and Jim also requalified. Several shooters were close and despite it getting a little later in the day, we squeezed in a 3rd AQT. Chris scored a 48 for not only the high score of the weekend but his first Distinguished Rifle Score - Huzzah! Other scores fell short - by this time even our most experienced shooters were getting tired and inexplicable equipment issues started to creep in too.

We finished up with the Benediction and wrap-up, awarding much earned patches and hoping everyone would come out again. We thanked border raiders moar_en_blocs and OldDominionIron with Maryland Immortal 400 patches and presented Chris, Jim, and Bill with their RKD rockers (and Chris with his Distinguished tab).

Oh, I forgot about Morgan's Shingle! At one point about mid-day we moved to the 125 yard line so everyone would get a chance at the shingle. We had 4 hits - Damon M, Jim W, Chris S, and instructor WhyWon. Several were VERY close but there is no .50-cal rule on the shingle.

In addition to the instructors I have already mentioned who all did a fantastic job, thank you to Off_Paper for bringing and operating his camera system. We had one camera hit by an errant low round, unfortunately, and "disassemble." He also did a great job working the line. I also want to compliment moar_en_blocs on his line bossing for the weekend - he did a great job adapting to the unique challenges of the event with everyone else.

We hope everyone had a great time and that we see you (with a friend or two!) at a future event.

Pictures are available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-JuGgdyE2wJc09lZXYDlEScwbgzpnXI2?usp=sharing

Pictures will also be posted at the Maryland Appleseed Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064405762810