I shoot in the Single Actiong Shooting Society..........?

Question

This organazation thrives on using guns made in the old west. Now, people are showing up using guns with a short stroke kit on there lever action rifle. That wasnt heard of in the 1800's! Is this cheating? What do you think? By the way, I still place in the top 3, with out the short stroke rifle, but so many city people are spending a ton of money just to get a $10.00 plaque, so they can say there cowboys! Most dont even own a horse! What do you think?

Answer 1

You'll always find someone willing to bend or break the rules....ok, let's just say "cheat" because that's what it amounts to....to say they "won" something. It's the nature of the modern man.

Those people you see doing it grew up with parents who either encouraged it or they grew up without parental guidance at all, and that's the result. The worst part is, their kids are going to be ten times worse than they are.

Back when we we were kids in the 50-60-70's, if our dad saw us cheating or trying to break the rules, they would have kicked our asses. People were decent then.

Today, you can't even take part in a BoyScout Pinewood Derby without 99.9% of the cars being run by cheating dads. Are their kids going to remember how fun it was to work with dad and race? No, they're going to remember dad buying an Ebay car for them to cheat with.

CAS started off as a way for folks to recreate the old west. Shoot a few guns and have fun. Today, you won't find a single real "cowboy loaded" gun on the property. The cheaters sub-load sub-caliber guns to avoid recoil and to ping the targets faster, they use modified rifles to work the actions faster, they use "tuned" actions etc....all so they can say they "won". Ten years from now, their kids will be finding even worse ways to cheat. Dad taught them how to do it, after all.

Answer 2

I am not in the clubs for the same reason. I shoot the usual listed load for velocity in 45 Colt. I also load some black powder for it to be real authentic but the cleanup isn't fun.

Alot of people will do anything to get the sheepskin or win. Most of those people could not reliably hit a target under pressure with an "off the shelf " gun.

I personally am more impressed when someone takes a flint and steel, and produces a working fire in about 2 minutes. Very impressed by someone that can shoot a flintlock or percussion for 20-30 rounds at 100 yards and hit a nice circle about 1 foot or a little more. That's using a ball and patch, not a sabot-ted, in-line, special stoked rifle.

Some of those same people will also spend hundreds to look the part. That's fine, if they enjoy it, but the point is how you shoot.Not whose got what gun or clothes or latest do-dad. Rules change so they can keep a sport alive but it will eventually change to something no one recognizes.

Answer 3

Frankly you have just named one thing screwed up with sass.
Don't act like you are some how more real because you own a horse. You guys dress up like it is the old west but it is not the old west. This is the star trek of the shooting world. Just go out and have fun. You guys have so many rules why complain about there being one lacking?

Answer 4

Personally I am not a member because of the reason you stated above and others. I think if they want to play cowboy then they should be truly authentic, Including the loads they use in there weapons not the wimp stuff they use now.
There was a great article written by Mike Ventrino (spelling?) titled What would Wyatt Say? You might find it entertaining.
Good Luck
Mike

P.S. Just Wish I could remember which magazine it was in....

Answer 5

I used to shot in SASS but it got bad to many rules what cowboy wants to live by rules. I just went out to shot and get dressed up but then you got the people who shot like they know everything and tell you how to shot. Just wasnt any fun any more

Answer 6

If the rules allow the weapons to be used you need an upgrade.