Appleseed Report

[Chemist45]

Hot.
Windy.
Bleh.

The event was very well organized with the volunteers having set up shade structures which they anchored and lashed together to keep them from blowing away.
This effort was much appreciated by all.
It was good to see families there with children of all ages.
We started with a safety orientation and explanation of why we were there. All targets were shot at 25 yards.
The first target was called a "Redcoat" and simulated man sized targets at 100, 200, 300, 400 yards and a head shot at 250 yards (A 1" square at 25 yards). I guess the British must have been a bunch of squareheads 230 years ago.
As I said, all targets were hung at 25 yards, the range was simulated using progressively smaller silhouettes.
You had 13 rounds and as much time as you needed to put 3 rounds in each target and one in the head target.

Following the first Redcoat, we did a series of drills including sighting in the rifles and checking zero.
We practiced shooting standing, sitting, prone and transitions. We were instructed in the use of slings, holds and magazine changes.
During the lunch break we were treated to stories of the battles of Lexington and Concord and the personal stories of people involved. And, no, you haven't heard these before.

Finally we were ready for our first chance to qualify as a Rifleman.
The targets are called "Greycoats" or AQTs (Appleseed Qualifying Target?) They are broken into four sections:
10 shots into a 100 yard silhouette - standing - 2 minutes.
5 shots each into two 200 yard silhouettes - transition from standing to sitting and a magazine change after 2 rounds- 55 seconds.
3 shots each into two 300 yard silhouettes and 4 shots into a fourth - transition from standing to prone and a magazine change after 2 rounds- 55 seconds.
2 shots each into two 400 yard silhouettes and 3 shots each into two more silhouettes - starting and ending prone - 5 minutes.
Each shot is worth 5 points except the last set of 400 yard targets where the points are doubled.
A score of 210 out of a possible 250 is needed for the Rifleman patch.
Shoot the wrong target and it counts against you, don't shoot all the rounds in the allotted time and it counts against you. This is not an easy course of fire.
We had people shooting their neighbor's target, shooting the wrong target on their own sheet, and leaving rounds unfired.

Finally we shot another redcoat target and that was the end of day 1. Almost everyone had improved on the Redcoats.

Day two started with another Redcoat target (I shot a perfect Redcoat - henceforth referred to as a Deadcoat).
Then we were given a short talk about some of the women and the part they played in the battles of Lexington and Concord. This led into the awarding of Rifleman to Mrs. Chemist (The only one who qualified from Saturday.) In addition to the Rifleman patch, she was given a pink "Shoot like a girl" (If you can) baseball cap and an Appleseed challenge coin.
Mrs. Chemist Hates pink but she will make an exception in the case of this cap.

We had more stories of April 19th 1775, and a quick sighting in to check scopes followed by about seven more rounds of firing at the qualification targets.
Did I mention it was hot? And windy? Dust got into everything, yet there were very few firearm failures. Most people were shooting Ruger 10/22s or AR-15 type rifles in either .22LR or .223 The lack of mechanical failure was a testimony to these rifles.
Side note: Mrs. Chemist and I were using Dillon Shooting mats and ours were the only mats that stayed put. Well, other than the guy who nailed his down, but that's cheating. Dillon makes a good mat. (I am not affiliated with Dillon Precision (Altho I wish I was.))

The heat was taking its toll on people as fewer and fewer were shooting the whole targets as the day wore on.
Were it not for sunscreen, (and the generous shade shelters) we all would have been lobster-backs by the end of day two.
Sadly, no-one else made rifleman this weekend (and yes, that includes me) but we all had a great time, met some neat folks and put a lot of rounds down range.
And that's why we went.

[74novaman]

Congrats to the wife for getting her patch, and thanks for the detailed description. I'd love to do an appleseed event one of these days.

[Greybeard]

A big pat on the back to pass along to The Wife. As you know, that is quite an accomplishment, especially in the wind and the heat. Good job!

[Steve M]

I have got to get to one of these. Is there a website that lists the Texas events?

[TxSheepdog]

I have got to get to one of these. Is there a website that lists the Texas events?

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you sign up to their mailing list they will also remind you of upcoming events.

[Steve M]

I have got to get to one of these. Is there a website that lists the Texas events?

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you sign up to their mailing list they will also remind you of upcoming events.

Much obliged!

[LittleGun]

Excellent report. I want to attend one of these.

[LikesShinyThings]

Thanks for the congratulations.

I may be a little biased, having earned my Rifleman patch, but it was a LOT of fun. I have been shooting for several years (granted, mostly handguns). Even so, and not surprisingly, they had new things to teach me. I did my best to learn.

Most likely, you will be sore and tired at the end of the weekend if you go, but I highly recommend it. I really enjoyed the instructors, and the other shooters. Best weekend I've had in a long time.

[Paladin]

Congrads on your first Appleseed!!

It's a challenge, but a worthy challenge. I'm going again this year to get that Rifleman patch that's been waiting for me

More great info on Appleseed here