Appleseed 2014 Events Now Available

[FiremanBob]

All of the Project Appleseed clinics are now posted and available for online registration at http://appleseedinfo.org/search-states- ... e=Virginia

There are three in Charlottesville, three in Montpelier, two in Mechanicsville and one in Lynchburg. I look forward to seeing you at any of them.

[allingeneral]

*note: Need to add these to the VGOF calendar.
March 2014
Mechanicsville - Mar 29-Mar 30
Information
Register

May 2014
Charlottesville - May 17-May 18
Information
Register

June 2014
Lynchburg - Jun 21-Jun 22
Information
Register

July 2014
Charlottesville - Jul 12-Jul 13
Information
Register

August 2014
Montpelier - Aug 16-Aug 17
Information
Register

September 2014
Montpelier - Sep 20-Sep 21
Information
Register

October 2014
Montpelier - Oct 18-Oct 19
Information
Register

November 2014
Charlottesville - Nov 08-Nov 09
Information
Register

December 2014
Mechanicsville - Dec 06-Dec 07
Information
Register

[Viper21]

This looks pretty cool. Never been to an event like this. Sounds like would be a good event to bring my teenage boys to. Thoughts..?

[FiremanBob]

Definitely. Many families make it a family outing. One of the best students I had last year was an 11-year old girl and her 9-year old brother was nearly as good.

I do not think there is a better introduction to or instruction in firearms safety and marksmanship available anywhere in the country (except perhaps Marine basic training). Of course I am biased...

Additionally, the kids will learn the truth about American history and what it means to be a citizen that they simply can't get in public schools any more.

[Viper21]

Definitely. Many families make it a family outing. One of the best students I had last year was an 11-year old girl and her 9-year old brother was nearly as good.

I do not think there is a better introduction to or instruction in firearms safety and marksmanship available anywhere in the country (except perhaps Marine basic training). Of course I am biased...

Additionally, the kids will learn the truth about American history and what it means to be a citizen that they simply can't get in public schools any more.

Awesome Bob. Couldn't agree more on the American history part. It amazes me that my HS aged boys don't learn about the revolutionary war, or civil war in school...... ESPECIALLY living in VA, just wow.

Is this an all day event ? Both days ? I couldn't find times, & such on the website. Im looking at possibly going to Charlottesville in May

[FiremanBob]

It's two full days, Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 to 5:00.

[bryanrheem]

It's one of my 2014 goals to attend this with my 8yr old son and 11yr old daughter!

Should each child have their own rifle?

How hands on is the instruction? Should I just plan on watching and helping the kids or is there enough supervision for me to engage in the class as well? (My kids are aware of how to handle firearms safely).

How much ammo per person?

Thanks! I'm excited for this!! The annapolis venue is closest to me, but I'll drive further out to stay in state. I might make a camping trip out of it as well!

[misawa]

It's one of my 2014 goals to attend this with my 8yr old son and 11yr old daughter!

Should each child have their own rifle?

How hands on is the instruction? Should I just plan on watching and helping the kids or is there enough supervision for me to engage in the class as well? (My kids are aware of how to handle firearms safely).

How much ammo per person?

Thanks! I'm excited for this!! The annapolis venue is closest to me, but I'll drive further out to stay in state. I might make a camping trip out of it as well!

Great goal for 2014! I've done two Appleseeds in the past and will be wearing an orange instructor in training hat this year - looking forward to it!

Instruction is very hands-on. A rifle per child is best - when sighting in things may need to be slightly different between each shooter. 500 rds per shooter is a good guess for two days.

I know camping is usually available at the Montpelier shoots, so come on down and make a weekend of it.

[FiremanBob]

Yes, if the children are mature enough to handle rifles safely and heed instruction, you all can shoot together, each on his own rifle. We have a strong contingent of instructors in VA, and the kids will get the attention they need.

Of course, if a child doesn't want to be there and is dragged out by the parent, or gets emotional about not shooting perfect scores and acts out, or is bored and doesn't heed the instruction, that can be a problem requiring your active management. I've seen each of these happen in the past two years, but the vast majority of kids do great and have a ton of fun.

[M1A4ME]

At Black Creek I don't think they can shoot till 1230 or 1PM on Sunday. The mornings used to be rifle maintenance (field stripping/cleaning/lubing) classes for those with questions. Also gave people a chance to look at/handle rifles they don't own but might like to (M1 Garand, M1A, AR15, etc).

Kids that get upset over their scores? I've seen grown men get upset, pack their stuff up and go home. More than once.

I need to get my son/nephew to one of these. My youngest went to one back in 2006 and almost shot a rifleman score with his FAL a couple times but had function issues (combination of failure to inspect his rifle after he cleaned/lubed it and gas port not being opened up when the barrel was shortened at some previous time).

You'll be amazed at what you learn and how much it can improve your rifle marksmanship.

[FiremanBob]

I forgot to write - expect the round count to be 400-500, with about 100 on Saturday and the rest Sunday. At some venues, such as Charlottesville, we can't shoot until 1:30 pm on Sunday, so it's a little lower.

[bryanrheem]

We will either attend Montpelier or Mechanicsville (camping and centerfire).

I may share the rifle with the daughter if that's acceptable. My son will probably be just fine.

[MarcSpaz]

I'd love to go to one of these, but I really hate going to social stuff alone. I am a pretty outgoing guy, but having a friend tag along is always good.

If I do go to any of them, it would be Mechanicsville in March since its only an hour and a half away and will have a hundred yard shoot on Sunday.

[bryanrheem]

At Black Creek I don't think they can shoot till 1230 or 1PM on Sunday.

Does anybody know if this is still the case? Would influence my decision to go to Mechanicsville

[MarcSpaz]

Not finding any hours of operation. May be able to call and ask. 804-781-0267

Appleseed hours listed for that range are Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 8:30 AM - Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 8:30 AM. I would hate to think they would have us hanging around for 4 hours waiting for the clock to tick.

[FiremanBob]

Marc,

1. No need to be alone. Maybe another VGOF member will team up with you. Otherwise, go to the shoot and make some friends. I'll probably be instructing at every event this year.

2. During the no-shooting time on Sunday morning, we don't wait around. There's a lot of history and marksmanship teaching that happen then. For example the long-distance (aka Known Distance) section covers target detection and identification, ranging, and sight adjustment for various long-range distances according to the ballistics of your rifle and round. There is also some dry-fire practice - world-class competition shooters fire more dry-fire shots in practice than they do live rounds.

Mechanicsville and Charlottesville have quiet Sunday mornings. Montpelier shooting starts on Sunday am, ends at 2:55 pm sharp, followed by history and other stuff.

Bryan,

No need to share a rifle and that doesn't work well since everyone is on the line at the same time. The instructors bring several rifles as "loaners". If you let us know in advance when you register, we'll reserve one for your daughter. PM me if you have other questions about this.

[bryanrheem]

Fireman,

Thanks for your wealth of information! I do have enough rifles but I am unsure if my daughter will want to be on the line by herself. I guess my goal is more to get her comfortable before we go instead of share a rifle.

Curious what most shooters bring. 10/22? bolt actions? ar15s?

[MarcSpaz]

Bob, good info. Thanks a bunch.

[FiremanBob]

Fireman,

Thanks for your wealth of information! I do have enough rifles but I am unsure if my daughter will want to be on the line by herself. I guess my goal is more to get her comfortable before we go instead of share a rifle.

Curious what most shooters bring. 10/22? bolt actions? ar15s?

Bryan,

Centerfire rifles up .30 caliber are permitted, but by far the majority of students bring .22s. After all, 500 rounds of 5.56 at $.45/round is a ton of money. We're shooting at only 25 meters distance. Another good reason to use a .22 is that it removes two sources of distraction - noise and recoil - from your concentration on the skills you are learning.

The most popular rifles on the line are 10/22s and Marlin 795s, and increasingly M&P 15-22s. We also see a good number of Remington 597s, CZ bolt-actions, and Marlin 60s. In the past year I have also seen M1s, M1As, AK-47s and a FAL. People have shot Rifleman qualifying scores with semis, bolties, and lever actions. Anything with a box or tube-fed magazine of at least 10 rounds total is fine. The course of fire was originally designed for 1903 Springfields which have 5-round box mags.

To get the most out of the course, you want to install a loop sling (GI web sling or 1907-type leather) and adjustable sights. A .22 with a sling and peep sights is widely known as a Liberty Training Rifle - see the appleseedusa.org website for details. The various "tactical" slings such a single-point don't work very well for this type of shooting. Once you see how a simple loop sling helps improve your accuracy you'll never go back.

Kids and beginners get extra attention from instructors until they are comfortable and competent in safely operating the rifle and being on the line with others. We regularly have people who bought their first rifle the day before and they're pulling it out of the box on the line. I'd like to think we have a very user-friendly approach to teaching. Usually by the end of the first morning everyone is in good shape with respect to safe and confident handling of his rifle.

[bryanrheem]

I'm thinking now.. how many can I attend this year? lol.

My 10/22 has peep sights as does my 15-22. .22 bolt action has a 3-9x scope though.

My 15-22 actually has a 2pt sling set up that mimics my ar15 which is not a loop sling. Would I still be able to apply the accuracy principles?