ARPC Club News for February 2010

Meeting Date: The next even-numbered month meeting will be in our usual spot, the back room at Dyer’s BBQ Restaurant on Georgia @ I-40, on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 7 pm. Those members wishing to dine are invited to do so from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Guests: Tis the season for sighting-in. Members are reminded they are responsible for briefing their guests on the Club rules prior to shooting and for monitoring their guest’s actions while they shoot. If you’re right-handed and shooting on the Benchrest Range, set your guest(s) up to your right so you can keep an eye on them.

Pistol Pit Targets: When we’re finished shooting, we don’t leave targets outside on any range, including the Pistol Pits. If you leave cardboard outside it falls apart and makes a mess. If the target cardboard is useable, put it back in the target shed. If it’s shredded too badly, put it in one of the trash barrels. Likewise, put the stakes back in the stake-barrels for future use. Remember: we only shoot at paper targets – shooting at cans, bottles, etc. are a real no-no and could get you suspended from the Club. Use the ranges correctly or shoot somewhere else.

Are You a Rifleman, or just a rifle owner? A rifleman, as defined by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA, www.rwva.org), “is an armed American, trained in the tradition of American Liberty. It's a man who has learned to shoot a rifle accurately — accurate enough to score "Expert" on the Army Qualification Course. The Appleseed Program is designed to take you from being a simple rifle owner to being a true rifleman.” There are three Appleseeds scheduled this Spring. The first, limited to 12 shooters, has been scheduled for March 27-28 in the Indoor Range. The second and third have been scheduled for the ARPC Smallbore Range on April 24-25 and June 5-6. See the Calendar for links (click on Appleseed). Primary instruction is done at 25 meters on 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m reduced targets. The Indoor Appleseed is restricted to 22 long rifle with lead bullets, the outdoor program is open to any rifle, 8mm or smaller, but it’s suggested you start with a 22 long rifle repeater. A sling is very desirable: a simple GI web sling is perfect. Scoped rifles are welcome and probably a good idea for older eyes. You have to provide your own rifle and ammo: figure on at least 500 rounds for two days. Appleseeds are free for women, youth (20 and under), and members of the active duty Military, the Reserves, or National Guard, but you still must register (www.rwva.org) and those under 21 must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Contact Paul Seelye at prseelye@sbcglobal.net for further details.

Club Projects: Six yards of pea gravel was spread in front of the Benchrest Range firing line on top of the landscape fabric laid down a few months ago. The fabric/gravel system will help control weeds, prevent erosion (which was exposing the edge of the slab and the base of the canopy posts) and make it much easier to find and retrieve brass from autoloaders. Thanks to Tom Dameron and Dale Baker for assisting in this project.

Membership Slots Open: The Club now has 369 members. There are 6 open membership slots with 13 membership applications on file.

Membership Applications will be processed in the order the Applications were received. However, if an Applicant and their sponsor are not at a membership meeting when new members are to be inducted, the next Applicant in line will be inducted. It is anticipated the available slots will be filled during the February meeting, but new applications will be accepted in anticipation of future membership openings. If you’re thinking of sponsoring someone for membership, get that Application in as soon as you can.