Anyone near Maryland?

[Major 2]

Posted by: US Scout
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Quote from: Major 2 on Yesterday at 02:04:18 pm
"... Everything was booked solid by other shooting clubs.  We also tried to recruit some new members but almost all said they didn't want to join until they'd been to a few NCOWS matches, which of course we were unable to hold.  Consequently, the idea slowly died, much to the disappointment of those who tried to raise a posse."

Yep    I heard those and more.... but tenacity...paid off  

I agree about tenacity, but back east here, we are losing ranges faster than we find new ones, and there is a lot of competition for the weekends.  I know of one club that lost their range but one of it's members donated some farm land.  When he died a few years later, the family wanted the land back for farming, so it was back to square one again.  It's a far different shooting environment here than further west.  Don't know about you, but I already drive close to 2 hours to shoot a Saturday or Sunday match.  Driving another 2-3 hours more to attend an NCOWS match would not be a monthly option.  

Yes Sir... I understand what you're saying... course I'm not further west, I'm further south...Florida ...

and though it is " gun friendly " compared to your Mid Atlantic States....it took some time to assemble the posse to Join NCOWS...

Cracker Cow Cavalry exists and even gets some SASS shooters to join in..
 

[Gen Lew Wallace]

Greetings,

I am located on Delmarva and shoot in Sudlersville, MD and Bridgeville, DE.  They are both SASS affiliated clubs; though you are not required to be a member to shoot in the monthlies.  Here's what I do:  I am retired military and like to portray a 19th century military officer.  I do not do reenacting, I do not shoot in the N-SSA, I just like to shoot CAS.  So I dress up in my different military duds and shoot CAS at the two local clubs and have a ton of fun.  In fact, I am the only one dressed in military garb.  I just keep at it and hopefully someday someone will become interested and ask me the right question.

[Memphis]

I was thinking of doing the same thing, Lew. My own mini-GAF, so to speak.

Just out of curiosity, what rifle do you use for CAS? Obviously a Trapdoor wouldn't work for regular CAS stages. There's always the Henry and Spencer, and I suppose one could stray from military issued and just use the the 1866/1873.

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[Pitspitr]

Obviously a Trapdoor wouldn't work for regular CAS stages.

Why not? Unless your club doesn't allow lead rifle bullets on their steel targets. Our club is an independent with our own steel and I often times use my trapdoor or Krag. I know that the club that Drydock belongs to allow them too, as he does the same thing. It all depends on what your club allows. If your club won't allow it, then keep doing what you're doing and enjoy.

[Memphis]

Why not? Unless your club doesn't allow lead rifle bullets on their steel targets. Our club is an independent with our own steel and I often times use my trapdoor or Krag. I know that the club that Drydock belongs to allow them too, as he does the same thing. It all depends on what your club allows. If your club won't allow it, then keep doing what you're doing and enjoy.

I was basing my assumption on the CAS Shooter's Handbook, which reads as follows:

RIFLE REQUIREMENTS
Rifles or carbines used in the main and team matches must be original or replicas of lever or slide action rifles manufactured during the period from approximately 1860 until 1899, incorporating a tubular magazine and exposed hammer. Rifles with box magazines may not be used.

I'm not part of any clubs yet, but if there are any around here that will make an exception to this, I'd be very happy.

P.S. To alleviate any confusion, I decided to change my screen name from "Crashing Bacon" to "Memphis" as the latter will likely be my alias.

[pony express]

Memphis, I shoot with the same club as Drydock. Strictly at our club level, we have added an extra class for Military. Basically anything GAF goes, I have shot a Krag, Trapdoor, Moisin Nagant, Lebel, Argentine Mauser, Swede Mauser, and a GEW88.(I think that covers it) The Trapdoor is loaded to the "carbine load", 45-55-405, and hasn't damaged any of our targets(Although it has knocked a few over) Smokeless rifle rounds are loaded to SASS specs, lead bullets at under 1300.

That being said, since you don't belong to any clubs yet, I'd just go shoot you choice of lever guns while wearing your uniform to get started.

[Gen Lew Wallace]

Greetings,

There are no restrictions that I know of.  Keep in mind though, we are shooting SASS rules.  I use a 66 yellowboy for my main match gun.  However, during the state match the first weekend of May I bring out the Sharps carbine for side match competition.  Memphis, keep these dates in mind.  May 2,3,4 in Sudlersville, MD. 

http://www.dsarange.com/RoundUp.htm

You don't have to shoot if you're not ready.  You could come and talk to folks, perhaps even help with a posse and just get to know the sport.  If you do come, just look for a big guy in military garb.  I'm easy to spot. 

[Memphis]

So I asked the local SASS guru if any clubs allowed shooting a Trapdoor, and I got the expected reply of no. What amused me was this comment he made: "A single shot rifle would take a very long time to fire 10 rounds."

The emphasis on speed is one of the things I find disheartening about SASS. I get wanting to be fast and win, and I don't begrudge anyone who tries to do so. As for me, I get more satisfaction over being historically accurate (if I can win while doing so, even better). I suppose I would prefer matches that placed more emphasis on distance and shooting accuracy than speed. If only there was an NCOWS posse nearby!

Since it appears the Trapdoor is not an option, I've been toying with building a Cavalry impression around the 1865 Spencer Carbine. Does anyone know when the Spencer was finally phased out by cavalry units? Would it be historically accurate to have a Spencer alongside a SAA, or had the Sharps/Trapdoor already uprooted the Spencer by the time the SAA got issued?

Obviously I can shoot whatever I want (within local club rules), but like I said above, I do like to be accurate. Thanks!

[Pitspitr]

Man I wish you could come to Nebraska in June.

[pony express]

I think an 1860 Army(or two) would pair better with the Spencer than an SAA.

At our club, when we shoot single shots, we shoot only half the number of shots as the regular stage, and we don't shoot the shotgun targets.  Keeps the rest of the posse from falling asleep while we shoot. Of course, the occasional boom from the trapdoor helps keep everyone awake, too. Doesn't really affect the scorekeepng, since we only compete against ourselves.

[Memphis]

Man I wish you could come to Nebraska in June.

I would absolutely love to go, but the distance is holding me back as well as getting off from work to make the trip. Still, I am very tempted. I might have to do some more thinking on this . . .

I think an 1860 Army(or two) would pair better with the Spencer than an SAA.

That's what I was thinking. I'd definitely prefer cartridges over cap and ball, however, so I was hoping there was a way to work the SAA in. I might have to make some concessions somewhere.

Lew, I was browsing through old posts and saw where you had posted a picture of your CAS rig. Do you  have any more pictures of it or your CAS outfits? I am very interested to see how you and others have combined GAF and SASS.

[Major 2]

Pair the Spencer with a 60 Richards or a Open Top

[Drydock]

When using a single shot at a SASS type match I'll often tell the RO I'll shoot half the shots of the repeaters.  IE if the stage calls for 10 rifle, I'll shoot 5.  Believe me, thats plenty, and often quite competitive on time, especialy as I'm not using the shotgun. 

After all, I am using twice the bullet . . .