Junior Rifle.

[rjrivero]

My daughter started in the Jr. Rifle Program at the gun club. They're shooting .22's at 50 feet. The scoring part of the target is about as big as a 50 cent piece. The bulls eye is barely the diameter of a .22.

Addie is only 10 years old. (The club requires the kids to be 12 before they start shooting in the Jr. Rifle Program.) I talked to the folks heading the program, and they agreed as long as a parent or adult is with her, and keeping an eye on her they would let her start shooting in the program on a probationary status. If she can prove to be safe, then she can stay in the program.

She's progressing VERY WELL. Not only is she SAFE, she's shooting every bit as well as the 12 year old boys in the program. Each shot has the maximum of 10 points. With a ring every 1moa down to 5 points. Anything out of the 5 ring is a miss and automatically zero points.

On a 5 shot string, she needed to score 20 points or better on 10 separate targets to get her Pro-Marksman badge. Then she needed to get 25 points or better on 10 targets to get her Marksman Badge. And then 30 or better to get her Marksman 1st Class Badge. Then so on for each new level.

Last night was the first time they got their new badges. She's been shooting in the Jr. Rifle program for about 6 weeks. (They shoot every Friday night.) She finished her Pro-Marksman standards and the first target of the night she finished her qualification for her Marksman Badge. The lady who tracks the scores and achievements walked over to Addie's mat at the beginning of her second relay of the night to make sure she knew she was now starting on her Marksman 1st Class badge. She would need 10 targets of 30 or better to reach that badge. "I like them to know what they are shooting for."

Now this is the first time she heard of the "achievements." Up to this point, she's been shooting for her personal enjoyment. Her first couple relays of the night are usually her best. She's a about 70 lbs soaking wet. The shooting jackets they have are all the way cinched down, and she is still swimming in it. The rifles are rather heavy for her. As she gets further into the night, she gets tired, and her shooting reflects that. However tonight, it's a completely different ball game.

She's gotten a whiff of the awards she is shooting for, and that throws a switch in her. She's all business tonight. Her first 4 targets qualify for her Marksman 1st Class. Then her 6th and 7th also qualify. (The fifth target wasn't so good.)

In one night, she's more than half way to her next level. But this is the time she usually gets tired and starts pulling her shots. They have time to shoot 3 more relays and she only needs to score 30 points on 4 of those 6 targets to qualify.

She walked over to me and asks, "Do you think I can get this next badge tonight? I mean, if I can shoot four more 30's will they let me take it home?"

"I don't know, honey. You have to ask Mrs. Hannah." I replied.

She walks over to the scorer table and asks. Mrs. Hanna assured her, "Sure. If you earn it tonight I'll let you take it home. That would be something. You just started working on it tonight."

"I know. I was just thinking." Addie said.

Well, She got into her position, and lined up the rifle. She fired her first two shots. Then rested for a few seconds. Then she shot her next three shots. Then rested again. I was adding up her score as well as I could with a 20-40x60mm spotting scope in the back of the room. That first target was 38. Then she scored 42 on the next five shots.

"What's gotten into you tonight? Are you getting tired at all? You're shooting the best targets tonight!"

"I just want to take home that badge."

"You only need two more 30's on these last 4 targets."

"Really? That's it? Only 2 more? I can do THAT!"

She sets up for her next to last relay. She shoots a solid 8 ring shot. Then pulls a bit and hits the 5 ring. She opens the bolt and rests the rifle on her mat. She takes a couple deep breaths and wiggles a bit adjusting her position. She loads her next round and gains her sight picture. She squeezes off a solid 9. Then a 7. She loads the last round and pops one in the 10 ring!

She rests a bit then starts her last relay. No fatigue, no lapse of concentration. Just good solid shots. She pulled off her personal best 44/50 on that last target.

Needless to say, I'm proud of her. Grace under pressure. Pictures to follow.

[Remphoto]

Very cool, RJ. She must have it in her blood to be a shooter. Great memories will be built from this. Enjoy!

[mycar47562]

That's awesome rj tell her were proud of her and im jelous that she can shoot so much better than me lol

[JSC]

Very cool.
Kids that can gain an early focus in life on any one thing, seem to be able to understand what it takes to get somewhere later in life.
Even if all she's going for right now is a badge, she knows what it takes to get it and has the pride that SHE got it!

[StrawHat]

rj,

I remember the Jr program vaguely but wish Addie well for me. I started a very long career of competition shooting about that age. As I recall Jr starts out prone with 5 shots per target and as she gets better goes to 1 shot per target to make scoring easier. When that happens she'll be grinning from ear to ear.

[StrawHat]

Any updates on the Junior Shooter?

[rjrivero]

Jr. Rifle is over for the summer. We will resume again in the fall. Right now, we go to the range and just plink away!

[StrawHat]

Glad to hear Addie is still interested.