Posted: 4/17/2009 12:48:08 PM EDT
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Anyone else going tomorrow?
I will be at the the shoot north of Alton, Il. (John Ross's quarry range for those of you in the know) |
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On the west side of the state, I believe Pioneer is hosting one in June that I plan on attending.
Good job doing it on the weekend closest to Patriot Day! last year I shot a mini-appleseed shoot and a three gun match. this year, looks like rain, so I'll probably just have to put some time in at the reloading bench, clean a couple guns or something. |
and I'm going to drag as many of my family and friends as I can I'm gonna have to hock some EBR's to build trainers if they all decide to go 
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Hrm. I thought Pioneer had a page about the shoot, but I can't seem to find it. Also, oddly, their calendar is showing it on a Sunday and Monday? Hrm...well, maybe Poly or Rooster can get more info...?
The official page is http://www.appleseedinfo.org/ Okay, the official site has the sign up dates for pioneer correct, so I'll just assume the Pioneer calender is wrong.... |
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GaryM, how did the shoot at John Ross' turn out? I've been hoping for an AAR since I couldn't make it (wife was out with the girls for scouts, and one of my boys was a bit sniffly so I couldn't get them out in the weather).
I'll be trying to make it to one of these at some point this summer, as long as ammo supply holds up. Eager to hear how this went, Gilt/Joe |
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Just got back from the Appleseed shoot. As you can guess I did the two day deal.
Aside from getting wet and wetter I really enjoyed it. The folk running were very down to earth, friendly and quite knowledgable. It is good for all level of shooters though it works best for low to midlevel skill levels. Think of it as a real world CMP Highpower training class for the real world. And yes, even though I have been shooting for years I did discover a few things, like a few problems I had with my prone position (Yep, once again what they taught me did help there.) Other things, even though my shooting while standing is acceptable as far as accuracy all I really do is slap the trigger as the front sight bounces pass COM of the target. My sitting position is much improved. They showed me a different way than what I am used to in elbow position that makes it work for me. The story telling was really kewl. We would take a break from the range and one of the instructors would stand up and give a bit of revolutionary war history, the type of stuff you don't ever hear (especially not in our brave new schools). It definitely gave me a sense of the bravery and dediction our forefathers must have felt when the time to put up of shut up finally rolled around. All in all I give it an "A". Sure the speakers weren't professional motivation speakers but they were very helpful and friendly. The range was run professionally and the instruction was very good. The only downside? All that damn rain...... Yeah, we were going prone on our rain soaked mats and carpets. Even walking around (and I had a poncho even) we were getting wet. Nobody was bitching though, it was a good time for all. BTW, those tech-sights work great on a 10/22, excellent for cheap AR15 type practice. Hopefully tomorrow they (appleseedinfo.org... I think) will have some pictures up and AAR up, I will link to them here. Finally for all of you who really care...... I did make rifleman. Yes, I went there, got the t-shirt and the patch. Now I have to decide where to put it. |
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Quoted:
Just got back from the Appleseed shoot. As you can guess I did the two day deal. Aside from getting wet and wetter I really enjoyed it. The folk running were very down to earth, friendly and quite knowledgable. It is good for all level of shooters though it works best for low to midlevel skill levels. Think of it as a real world CMP Highpower training class for the real world. And yes, even though I have been shooting for years I did discover a few things, like a few problems I had with my prone position (Yep, once again what they taught me did help there.) Other things, even though my shooting while standing is acceptable as far as accuracy all I really do is slap the trigger as the front sight bounces pass COM of the target. My sitting position is much improved. They showed me a different way than what I am used to in elbow position that makes it work for me. The story telling was really kewl. We would take a break from the range and one of the instructors would stand up and give a bit of revolutionary war history, the type of stuff you don't ever hear (especially not in our brave new schools). It definitely gave me a sense of the bravery and dediction our forefathers must have felt when the time to put up of shut up finally rolled around. All in all I give it an "A". Sure the speakers weren't professional motivation speakers but they were very helpful and friendly. The range was run professionally and the instruction was very good. The only downside? All that damn rain...... Yeah, we were going prone on our rain soaked mats and carpets. Even walking around (and I had a poncho even) we were getting wet. Nobody was bitching though, it was a good time for all. BTW, those tech-sights work great on a 10/22, excellent for cheap AR15 type practice. Hopefully tomorrow they (appleseedinfo.org... I think) will have some pictures up and AAR up, I will link to them here. Finally for all of you who really care...... I did make rifleman. Yes, I went there, got the t-shirt and the patch. Now I have to decide where to put it. Mine was on the back of my shooting jacket (from Fred's). How did it look there? Some of the other guys had it on their front pocket, or maybe on firing arm sleeve??? |
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I'm gonna try lke hell to make the June Pioneer event. What gear to use is another question entirely. Gear sounds remarkably simple compared to most shoots we participate in. It pretty much sounds like: Rifle Ammo for Rifle. (Round count seems to vary quite a bit though, from what I've read I figure 500 hand loads for the AR should be plenty.) They recommend a pad to lay on, and perhaps a shooting jacket. Then, just your normal 'Day out in the sun' stuff. There's a pretty exhaustive list on the appleseed site... |
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With the high price of ammo these days, what about the rimfire rifle option I wonder? Ruger 10/22 was the most common rimfire rifle used at the Osage Beach shoot this past weekend. I didn't shoot the 10/22 but should have! The 10/22 is easy & simple to operate, easy to 'sling' and get into shooting positions with. It's light, accurate, inexpensive to acquire, maintain and operate. On a 25 meter range it's an advantage. Shooting beyond 100yds, maybe not so much. There's much truth to positioning the 10/22 as The Liberty Training Rifle. |
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This past weekend at Osage Beach was my first Appleseed and a real 'eye opener' as far as how to prepare for these events. Like has been said already; incredibly simple. Rifle, ammo and typical 'day at the range' gear plus a good shooting mat and an open mind.
Unless it's your only rifle, leave the AR at home and grab the 10/22 so you can focus and concentrate on shooting accurately and developing good shooting habits and technique. The biggest problem I had was separating camping and shooting. The Osage Beach site has a real nice 'primitive' camping area adjacent to the range and being there with other participants and making new friends was just as much fun as the shooting. Big lesson learned: if weather is going to be an issue that will affect your ability to enjoy the event you have 2 options. 1. Prepare for the weather. 2. Stay home. Other Big Lesson Learned: prepare your equipment. –- Be familiar and comfortable with what ever rifle you're going to be shooting. Have the rifle ready with good sights and a good sling. Doesn't have to be a fancy, high end rifle with expensive optics and a three-point combat sling––-useless unless it's your lifeblood and so ingrained that you can do it in your sleep. Anything more than a reliable rifle, iron sights and a good sling will detract from the shooting instructions and enjoyment of the event. Osage Beach had a real 'family' friendly feeling and there were lots of females and kids shooting. I think, the poor weather on Sunday was a bit discouraging for some of the real young and new shooters. If you're going to camp and shoot, build extra time into the camping aspect especially if you have to travel any significant distance to the event. |
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With the high price of ammo these days, what about the rimfire rifle option I wonder? Mag fed .22lr that you can add a sling to and a set of tech-sights (10/22, marlin, or something else with some mods to sights) I'm going the 10/22 route, since I already have one and a bunch of mags. But if I end up with a lot of guest's coming along I might put a couple mossberg trainers together, not a super rifle but its cheap and will work. PTK |
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Oh great, an excuse to go buy another gun (10/22).  Or, a .22 kit (or upper) for an AR. My .22 rifle is a tube fed Marlin 60 with a scope and crappy irons. Most likely, I'll be running my Bushmaster Varminter...but....it would be nice to be able to shoot a bit cheaper. Even reloading, this won't be a cheap event ammo wise! |