AAR Report- The Appleseed Project

So I go to the RWVA home range for a Appleseed event. Here are my thoughts on this and some helpful pointers if you are going. 

First, this a volunteer hosted event. The people there are paying out of their pocket if they are traveling. The cost is minimal as opposed to many other training classes I have attended. 

The range was full, but I have to say it was a nice outdoor range and rivaled Blackwater, USTC, oh, whatever they call themselves now. Here is a pic of the 25 meter range (you know, click on a pic to enbiggen):

   












After a safety briefing here is the first target you shoot, a "Redcoat":

Then some history. OldNFO speaks more about this here.

Then we get to shooting these targets after a little lesson on IMC: inches, minutes, clicks:

More instruction, standing, sitting, and prone shooting positions. Oh, the M-4 was reverted to non tacticool. If you are going to one of these get a USGI web sling! 

The sling does make a difference and they will teach all of the techniques that give you a natural point of aim (NPOA) with the sling being a integral part of the rifle (and you).

Seeing the rifle front sight moving up and down in a straight line as you breathe is a goal to achieve!

During lunch, the events covering chance, time, perceptions, and a human resolve to be free that started the Revolutionary War was told. The other instructor firing rounds off outside perfectly timed to the narration was profound. 

Oh, 2008 date coded MRE lunch and coffee worked well. 

So after lunch, we start shooting these under the timer:

This in preparation for the final test. More history at the break and then this:

This was my final attempt to score Rifleman. I did a 144, nowhere close to the 210 needed. No matter. Why? Because the last target shot was another Redcoat:

 
 

























After a day of instruction and bone tired, I was a better shot! 


The second day has no formal instruction.


I enjoyed this immensely and I had a duh moment. They are going to be running this about 20 minutes away from me in May instead of 2 hours away. If anyone is interested I can offer floor space for lodging for this one. I will return to get the qual. 


Hints? Take a magazine fed .22LR. Tube fed people have a hard row to hoe. Do not take a magazine that will prevent you from shooting prone. Bolt action? There are timed courses to shoot. If you are not used to going from standing to sitting or standing to prone shooting positions, I suggest you practice at home before attending! 


I will go back in May I hope here if my schedule allows. It is worth the effort. 


Oh, side note. Leaving Sunday from the hotel, I think I was the only guest in Siler City, NC. The manager came out as I was loading the rifles in the car. He asked if I was a musician, I told him no, I was a rifleman!