Austin people, who's interested in an Appleseed event?

[SIG_Fiend]

In case you aren't aware of what The Appleseed Project is (I only just found out about it myself), take a look:

The Appleseed Project

Personally I think it is a great concept. Simple, inexpensive, helps everyone become proficient in the use of their rifle, and FUN! I have not yet attended an Appleseed event, however I would like to sometime in '09. Several people from that group are looking at possibly putting on an Appleseed event in or near Austin. The more interest we have, the more likely it will happen. I'd love to have a good showing from the forum for one of these events. Here's a direct link to their thread in case you want to voice any support for it:

Potential crop of Appleseeders in Austin

 

[dane421]

Tag for further update

 

[metalbot]

I'm an instructor in training at Davilla Appleseeds. We've just posted the 2009 schedule for Davilla. I expect that we will have an Austin range Appleseed within Q1 of 2009, but I don't know where yet. In the meantime, Davilla is less than an hour away.

 

[dane421]

I have been looking for more information about this event, and I have a few questions. What type of training is actually given at the appleseed event. Is it general shooting instruction or more advanced? What type of rifle is recommended for this course, 22lr or 30 cal. iron sites or optics? How many rounds should I bring for this course and do I need a sidearm? If attending the course near Austin do you camp over night for the 2 day class, what amenities are provided? It looks like it would be a fun time but the general info given does not really give me an idea of what to expect from the class.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

I have been looking for more information about this event, and I have a few questions. What type of training is actually given at the appleseed event. Is it general shooting instruction or more advanced? What type of rifle is recommended for this course, 22lr or 30 cal. iron sites or optics? How many rounds should I bring for this course and do I need a sidearm? If attending the course near Austin do you camp over night for the 2 day class, what amenities are provided? It looks like it would be a fun time but the general info given does not really give me an idea of what to expect from the class.

FAQs
http://www.appleseedinfo.org/pdf/what_to_bring_shoot.pdf
How to prepare for an event
The real poop on what to bring to an Appleseed shoot.

That should answer pretty much any questions you might have.

 

[metalbot]

I have been looking for more information about this event, and I have a few questions. What type of training is actually given at the appleseed event. Is it general shooting instruction or more advanced?

We focus on teaching the fundamentals of marksmanship with a rifle. How to build a proper shooting position (prone, seated, standing), how to get your natural point of aim, and how to fire the shot. It's very basic, but basic is not the same as "easy".

We also tell a really great story about the events of April 19th, 1775.

What type of rifle is recommended for this course, 22lr or 30 cal. iron sites or optics?

In Davilla, we usually use a 25 meter range with reduced sized targets. On this range, it's fine to use 22LR. On some Sundays, depending on the number of shooters and instructors that we have (as well as how well shooters are doing), we move to the known distance range to shoot out to 400 meters. If you want to participate in this course of fire, you'd need a centerfire.

We've 100% agnostic as to the use of optics or iron. I shot to Rifleman standards for the first time with an Eotech. After that, I put the Eotech away until I shot it again with iron. You can shoot with glass (and many people do), but for some of the timed stages, the glass can slow you down.

We do recommend (and teach) the use of a sling as an aid to marksmanship.

How many rounds should I bring for this course and do I need a sidearm?

We typically shoot about 400 rounds over the two days. You don't need a sidearm (we're teaching marksmanship, not transition drills). We prefer that people do NOT take sidearms to the shooting line.

If attending the course near Austin do you camp over night for the 2 day class, what amenities are provided?

I have a very comfortable bed in Austin, and a wife that will be in it with me, so I tend to drive back to Austin on Saturday night. Plenty of people camp on site. There is a primitive outdoor shower, but no real facilities. I usually see about a half dozen to a dozen tents on typical Appleseed weekends.

It looks like it would be a fun time but the general info given does not really give me an idea of what to expect from the class.

Expect to see about 30 men, women, and children gathered around with a mismatched collection of rifles working very hard to regain a skill that was once commonly held by many Americans. This is not a tactical rifle course that will teach you how to clear a house - this is a course about mastering basics.

 

[DirtyD]

As a Marine Corps Marksmanship Instructor (PMI) and multiple award expert, how would I go about getting involved as an instructor?

 

[metalbot]

As a Marine Corps Marksmanship Instructor (PMI) and multiple award expert, how would I go about getting involved as an instructor?

Show up and shoot our course of fire. Earn the coveted Rifleman patch by shooting the AQT (Army Qualification Test) to Expert standards.

We will immediately put an orange hat on you and bug you to start showing up as an instructor. We'll teach you our line commands, get you the teaching materials, and eventually teach you to tell "the story" of April 19th. Once you can tell the story and teach rifle marksmanship in the same way as our other instructors, we put a red hat on you, and encourage you to teach even more.

 

[dane421]

metalbot thank you for the detailed responce that helps a great deal. I have been looking at several different courses all over the country and have been unable to pull the trigger on which to go to. I think as a first timer to a shooting course this looks to be a good start. Again thank you for the clarification and I hope to see you at one of the appleseed courses in the future.

 

[Code3GT]

I would definately attend. Even as a marksman in the military, more training never hurts.

 

[metalbot]

metalbot thank you for the detailed responce that helps a great deal. I have been looking at several different courses all over the country and have been unable to pull the trigger on which to go to. I think as a first timer to a shooting course this looks to be a good start. Again thank you for the clarification and I hope to see you at one of the appleseed courses in the future.

What course is right for you really depends on your goals. If you want to learn to fight with a carbine, Appleseed probably isn't your class (MAST and Tiger Valley both offer excellent Tactical Carbine classes). We focus purely on teaching fundamentals of marksmanship. The basic standard that we are teaching to is to allow students to shoot to 4 minutes of angle (MOA). That translates to being able to hit somewhere on a 20" target at 500 yards. This is a distance commonly known as the "Rifleman's quarter mile". It's the distance at which a Rifleman with a stock rifle can engage human sized targets and make consistent hits.

One advantage of Appleseed classes is that we're really cheap. Our 2 day class is $70, compared to $400+ for some of the tactical 2 day classes. Women and kids shoot free, so you can bring family for no additional cost.

 

[pop]

As a Marine Corps Marksmanship Instructor (PMI) and multiple award expert, how would I go about getting involved as an instructor?

Mr. Marine, Appleseed will be PROUD to have you and, you will be PROUD to be associated with Appleseed. Stay in touch with MR. metalbot. and I look forward to meeting you and your friends in Davilla.

metalbot has said everything and HK_Fiend below has posted links to Appleseed.

I also am an orange hat and welcome you into the fold.

POP

 

[metalbot]

As a Marine Corps Marksmanship Instructor (PMI) and multiple award expert, how would I go about getting involved as an instructor?

I just noticed your sig line. Both active duty and reserve military shoot free. Show up, shoot, have fun, get a Rifleman patch, and don an orange hat.

 

[308nato]

If you get a Shotgun News and got to an add by Freds military M14Rifle stocks, not only can you get some good stocks at some great prices
but Fred also pushes for more americans to become riflemen by joining
in an Appleseed near you. He also writes some very informative articles
Check it out if interested.

 

[bonecrusher]

I want to do this.

 

[NcongruNt]

I've been interested in doing an Appleseed shoot since I read about it a few months ago. Once I get an appropriate rifle, I'd be more than happy to attend a shoot.

 

[metalbot]

I've been interested in doing an Appleseed shoot since I read about it a few months ago. Once I get an appropriate rifle, I'd be more than happy to attend a shoot.

Almost any rifle could be considered "appropriate", though people who shoot bolt action tend to be REALLY rushed to get 10 good shots off in 50 seconds. However, that didn't stop the young Russian immigrant who showed up last month with a Mosin Nagant...

Loaner 10/22's are generally available if you ask in advance.

 

[LittleGun]

I am interested. I found about Appleseed a few days ago, while reading an issue of SWAT magazine.

 

[Danny06]

Is there any schools or instructors in the north Houston teaching rifle 101, i would like to learn more about shooting rifles.

 

[ronf28]

i know it would definitley benefit me to have a "basic" rifle training course. fun way to spend a day shooting guns, and actually getting something useful out of it that you can teach your friends.