Appleseed!

[Ridge]

So it looks like the Brighton Appleseed on April 17-18 is already full.

I'm thinking about registering for the Fountain one on the same weekend.

Anybody else want to do this this year?

Hopefully libertyordeath will be able to post...

[libertyordeath]

Ridge, sometimes you seem like a horny dog - you're on top of everything! [ROFL1]

That new shoot for Fountain was just posted and also there's one in Gunnison that same weekend for anyone out toward the West Slope. I recommend that if anyone wants to go, then you get signed up sonner rather than later. The Brighton shoot sold out in a couple weeks and these two will likely fill up, too.

Here's the info on the shoot: Fountain April 17/18, 2010 (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=11767.0) or Gunnison April17/18, 2010 (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=11394.0).
To register, head over to the Fountain registration (http://www.eventbrite.com/event/565924696) or the Gunnison registration (http://www.eventbrite.com/event/546319055).

If you don't know what Appleseed is, I'll recycle my pitch I've used in previous threads (full disclosure: I am a volunteer Instructor for the Appleseed Program). Oh, and here's a link to the After Action Report (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=7430.msg68754#msg68754) from the Ramah shoot that Ridge came to last year.


What is Appleseed? Appleseed is a project initiated by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association (http://www.appleseedinfo.org/our_statement.html), a 501.c3 nonprofit, that describes the program this way:

Appleseed is a program that instructs Americans on the traditional rifle marksmanship skills that have been passed down from generation to generation, along with reconnecting today's Americans with the people and events of the Founding era. Participants are taught fundamental rifle marksmanship skills that are required to allow a Rifleman to be accurate out to 500 yards, with iron sights, standard rifle and surplus ammo. This is the traditional 'Rifleman's Quarter mile', which is an uniquely American Rifleman skill, that has been part of this nation from the very first days.Want to learn more about Appleseed (http://www.appleseedinfo.org/as_faq.html) or what you need to bring (http://www.appleseedinfo.org/pdf/what_to_bring_shoot.pdf)? After you've looked at those two pages, get registered online for a shoot (http://www.appleseedinfo.org/as_schedule2.php). Heck get a buddy to register with you, too.

Don't have a rifle yet? (unlikely considering present company here, but just in case...) On a tight budget? Take a look at a discussion on affordable Ruger 10/22 Liberty Training Rifles (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=32.0) or Marlin 795 Liberty Training Rifles (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=4148.0).

[DocMedic]

Good deal, didn't know military gets to shoot free, i'm down with the April shoot.

[esaabye]

Better get signed up soon, the Fountain shoot is 1/2 booked now.

Gunnison is still open but will start to fill as well. Look for a Ramah shoot to be announced around end of March.

[UZI]

[Pancho Villa]

Can anyone tell me the practical results of an appleseed shoot? Will you be able to hit man-sized targets out to 500 yards? Will you have a firm grounding to be able to do that, with practice?

I am super interested in this and might want to eventually become an instructor.

[cysoto]

Can anyone tell me the practical results of an appleseed shoot? Will you be able to hit man-sized targets out to 500 yards? Will you have a firm grounding to be able to do that, with practice?

I am super interested in this and might want to eventually become an instructor.
You are correct, at the conclusion of this two-day event shooters will have enough knowledge to be able to hit a man-sized target out to 500 yards.

90% of all the shooting happens at 25 yards and you will learn to transpose this knowledge to longer range shots.

Keep in mind that this event solidifies your fundamentals of rifleman skills but it is up to the shooter to apply this newly acquired knowledge.

[libertyordeath]

Yeah Pancho. I attended my first Appleseed shortly after I bought my first rifle. After one weekend, my groups were definitely not good enough to hit that 20" target at 500 yards. But I had learned valuable shooting techniques that I took home and practiced and practiced and practiced by dry firing to learn the muscle memory. After dry firing all winter, I took an Army Qualification Target (AQT) to the range the following spring and I'll be damned if I didn't (barely by a few points) qualify as Rifleman. The skills work if you're willing to persevere and practice. That being said, Cy's right. Marksmanship wise, you'll learn the basic Rifleman skills - you're not going to be learning stacking, room clearing, or team movement.

But remember, Appleseed is much more than a marksmanship class. Appleseed is about saving our country. Appleseed is about waking up that sleeping American everyone has inside of them and reconnecting you with the history and the founding of your great country. You'll learn about the men and women who pledged their lives, treasures, and sacred honor... and especially about the patriots who sacraficed their lives and treasures so you could have liberty today. Men with honor. Men like Issac Davis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Davis). Come to Appleseed; it's an outstanding weekend.

[ronaldrwl]

I'm going to the one in Gunnison. Sounds interesting.

[Ridge]

Yep, you have to remember, this isnt a tactical practical course with you running and gunning.

Its Rifleman 101. How to use a sling, proper shooting positions, and how to adjust your sights to hit targets at various ranges and sizes.

[funkfool]

Can anyone tell me the practical results of an appleseed shoot? Will you be able to hit man-sized targets out to 500 yards? Will you have a firm grounding to be able to do that, with practice?

I am super interested in this and might want to eventually become an instructor.
I went to the Appleseed yesterday (sat. 2/27/10) - just the one day.
Background:
I have very limited experience with rifles -I own a 700adl - put maybe 20 rounds through it, a 10/22 I just got - sighted in and put maybe 50 rounds through and my AR - put less than 200 rounds through it - so - before yesterday I had put less than 300 rounds through a rifle - all standing or sitting with a bench rest, and I could hit what I was aiming at standing and could do 1.5 to 2 inch groups from the bench at 100 yds. And it was just that. Aim and pull the trigger, see the result and I figured I didn't really suck too bad. Before yesterday I had never shot from a prone or sitting position.
I am VERY glad I went - it was great training - even though I am sore as h*ll today...
I went from "aiming and pulling the trigger" to understanding the mechanics of prone, sitting and standing, how to use a web sling, natural point of aim with a rifle, more about trigger control, riflemans cadence and so much other info....
The instructors saw things I was doing right and pointed out things I was doing wrong - and things I seemed to keep doing wrong! Leave your ego at home and you WILL get your money's worth.
When you get your natural point of aim, have a good, stable shooting position, understand your breathing - your sight picture goes up and down in a nice vertical line... so cool! Then just control your trigger - put the shot on target and repeat that over and over... I was able to fire several dime sized groups by the end of the day in prone - and at least 3 times - I put 3 shots through nearly the same hole! (smaller than a .38 hole)
On the Quick n Dirty AQT on the bottom 400 yd 10 round line - all my groups were at least nickel sized and two had all holes touching!
And I UNDERSTOOD HOW I was able to make it happen.
I recommend this to ANYONE who wants to be a better marksman.
Really this is for ALL Americans - this country was founded by regular folks who risked all for freedom and achieved it with riflemans skills.
I WILL go again.
You SHOULD go.
Appleseed has great instructors that REALLY care about what they are doing.
[Angel3]
Thanks to them - I learned a lot of skills that I can practice and make myself into a better rifleman.
[Thanks]

[ronaldrwl]

Yep, you have to remember, this isnt a tactical practical course with you running and gunning.

Its Rifleman 101. How to use a sling, proper shooting positions, and how to adjust your sights to hit targets at various ranges and sizes.

Can you use scopes or do I have to remove my scope?

[funkfool]

Can you use scopes or do I have to remove my scope?
Yes, you can use scopes.
Either way - go.

[funkfool]

And here is a worthy post for number 300:
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php

[Roger]

I'm looking at doing one with my son. May have to be the July one.

[Colorado Pete]

Glad to see such positive reviews of Appleseed! I am a volunteer instructor-in-training with them. I worked the Fountain shoot this past weekend. Funkfool, was that the shoot you attended? You sound a lot like the student I was working with! If so, you shot very well - and you found out I wasn't kidding about being sore the next day!

I will be working the next Fountain shoot in April, and whatever the first Ramah (Ben Lomand Gun Club) shoots will be, as well as the July Fountain and probably the June Raton Whittington Center shoot as well. I hope to see some of you folks at some of these!

Pete

[esaabye]

Welcome Pete.

[Colorado Pete]

Howdy Eric!

[Ridge]

Glad to have you on here, Pete!

I just bought tickets for myself and a friend today for Fountain in April...see you there!

[funkfool]

Hey Pete... yes, that was me you were working with.
Thanks.
Good instruction made the difference... I have much to practice.
You guys did a great job.
I will be back for another session - next time the whole weekend. I'll need to get in some exercises, stretching and practice the shooting positions so I won't be as sore...
Like I said - that was THE first time I had shot from prone or sitting positions... need to be a bit more limber for that.
I didn't hear Shep complain once - he helped me try to keep my whining to myself - he set a good example...
[Weight]
Just goes to show - there are opportunities to learn a variety of things all around you if you are open to it.
Glad to have you on the boards... don't be a stranger - visit when you have time.

[Colorado Pete]

Kids are made of rubber, they can do all sorts of things and not feel it the next day. Not like us grownups!

One of these days I'll be able to afford an upper, then I'll actually be an AR shooter! Hozer will not believe it.

[ronaldrwl]

I just made hotel reservations for Appleseed April 17-18 in Gunnison. Anyone else planning on being there?

[esaabye]

I'm pretty sure I ill be at that one. Have not pulld the trigger on the hotel yet, which one did you do?

[ronaldrwl]

I'll be at Super8. Looked like the cheapest