I attended my first Appleseed this weekend. To be 100% honest I thought I would enjoy the shooting, and be bored at the history parts. I was shocked when I found myself actually looking forward to the history section. Listening to the history was like reading a book that you could not wait for the next page. I think the most interesting part was for the most part it was not the version you learn in school, even though it was the same basic story. In this version they put a lot more detail into specific portions of the story that once after the story you would find out played a serious role in who we are and how the country came to be what it is. Its one of those story’s you feel very proud to be a American at the same time your realizing just how far our country has strayed from where it was at one point and time. Not only in shooting skills, in how we view our neighbor, and our decision making process (as a whole country, not an individual man/women). The shooting was great, but the history is what threw me for a loop.
On to the shooting, I intended to learn a to shoot a sling, but I also picked up a lot of info I will be able on add to the tool box in bipod shooting. They preach NPOA (natural point of aim) To be honest I though this was hog wash and being who I am decided to test it during 1 AQT. I purposely did not adjust my NPOA during stage 4 for the first of my two shots. On that stage you have plenty of time and I took very carful aim that bullet landed about 2 inches below the V (bullseye) Then on shot 2 I adjusted my NPOA and Im not sure the bullet could have landed any more in the center of the V. With a bipod I have never payed much (as long as I was close) attention to the NPOA, Ive made my position work. Im looking forward to testing to see if it makes as much of a difference with a bipod, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t. I have no issues being wrong, but I’m just the kind of guy who has to prove myself wrong to admit it, and I accomplished that today.
I thought I would have to shoot a semi auto to accomplish my goals. That was wrong aswell. I only got all my shots off 1 time (even with a semi auto) but I today really drove home that 8 5 point shots out score 10 3 point shots every day. I would have never broke my semi auto plan, if it were not for my semi auto having some function issues, that we eventually found out was my new extended charging handle. A NRA Highmaster once told me “there is no such thing as a good idea the day before a match”. That lesson was driven home this weekend aswell, but by the time we figured that out I had learned I was just as fast, and more accurate with a bolt action. I had been shooting my CZ 452 Military trainer with Irons most of the day Friday, and most of the day Saturday so I stuck with that. I was doing ok with it, but I could not take a fine aim on stage 4 (smallest targets) because I was aiming at the target not the “V”. I have no doubt a rifleman can be done with Irons, but I also have no doubt I have not spent enough time on irons to be the man to do it yet. For future seeds my goal is to at least once score rifleman with the CZ and the irons because its not the equipment that is incapable of task, its me.
I did however have to steel my buddies (indygunworks) CZ 452 with a scope for 2 AQT’s. 1 I scored 211, and the other I scored 232 so I accomplished my goals for this seed, and set goals for my next. I have no doubt had Nick not showed up my goal for the next seed would have been to score rifleman for the first time so as much as it pains me to say it thanks bud.
Long story long if you have ever wondered if a Appleseed is for you it’s a fairly easy question to answer. If you love your country, and want to learn a little piece of made it happen. As well as love shooting and want to learn to be more proficient than the answer is a undoubted yes.
Great times, great friends, and great lessons. How can the answer be anything but yes.
On to the shooting, I intended to learn a to shoot a sling, but I also picked up a lot of info I will be able on add to the tool box in bipod shooting. They preach NPOA (natural point of aim) To be honest I though this was hog wash and being who I am decided to test it during 1 AQT. I purposely did not adjust my NPOA during stage 4 for the first of my two shots. On that stage you have plenty of time and I took very carful aim that bullet landed about 2 inches below the V (bullseye) Then on shot 2 I adjusted my NPOA and Im not sure the bullet could have landed any more in the center of the V. With a bipod I have never payed much (as long as I was close) attention to the NPOA, Ive made my position work. Im looking forward to testing to see if it makes as much of a difference with a bipod, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t. I have no issues being wrong, but I’m just the kind of guy who has to prove myself wrong to admit it, and I accomplished that today.
I thought I would have to shoot a semi auto to accomplish my goals. That was wrong aswell. I only got all my shots off 1 time (even with a semi auto) but I today really drove home that 8 5 point shots out score 10 3 point shots every day. I would have never broke my semi auto plan, if it were not for my semi auto having some function issues, that we eventually found out was my new extended charging handle. A NRA Highmaster once told me “there is no such thing as a good idea the day before a match”. That lesson was driven home this weekend aswell, but by the time we figured that out I had learned I was just as fast, and more accurate with a bolt action. I had been shooting my CZ 452 Military trainer with Irons most of the day Friday, and most of the day Saturday so I stuck with that. I was doing ok with it, but I could not take a fine aim on stage 4 (smallest targets) because I was aiming at the target not the “V”. I have no doubt a rifleman can be done with Irons, but I also have no doubt I have not spent enough time on irons to be the man to do it yet. For future seeds my goal is to at least once score rifleman with the CZ and the irons because its not the equipment that is incapable of task, its me.
I did however have to steel my buddies (indygunworks) CZ 452 with a scope for 2 AQT’s. 1 I scored 211, and the other I scored 232 so I accomplished my goals for this seed, and set goals for my next. I have no doubt had Nick not showed up my goal for the next seed would have been to score rifleman for the first time so as much as it pains me to say it thanks bud.
Long story long if you have ever wondered if a Appleseed is for you it’s a fairly easy question to answer. If you love your country, and want to learn a little piece of made it happen. As well as love shooting and want to learn to be more proficient than the answer is a undoubted yes.
Great times, great friends, and great lessons. How can the answer be anything but yes.
Don't be jealous Huff!!! Maybe someday you'll be thought of in those terms too.
