Count Sandor, SASS #74075

LDD: Other than driving through, I know nothing about the area. However, Strafford would put you in easy reach of 4 clubs - Southern Missouri Rangers in Marshfield, Butterfield Trail Cowboys (at the Ozark Shooters range) 20 minutes north of Branson, and the Bear Creek Volunteers & the Liberty Land and Cattle Company, two clubs that share the same range just a couple of miles south of the Ozark Shooters range. I imagine some of the Missouri folks will chime in on the other info. for which you are looking. CS

+1 An hour and a half in the rotary tumbler with stainless steel pins works wonders - I did the all conchos on both my rigs/accessories this winter, and they look like new. Put them back on with a touch of blue Loctite and they'll be there until the next cleaning. CS

My dad suffered from stenosis and disc degeneration to a degree that made it nearly impossible for him to walk, and driving became untenable. He was referred to the top neurosurgeon in our area. Prior to surgery, we had to have a custom-fitted body support made for post-op use - essentially a removable body cast formed from a composite material. The actual surgery itself was approximately six hours, for a total of about eight hours when prep and recovery are added. There were two keys to the success of the procedure: 1: He had the best surgeon available; 2: The fact that Dad was willing to endure the very uncomfortable wearing of the support as specified by the surgeon and to put forth the effort needed to complete the rehab. Don't underestimate the importance of either of these. In the end, the extreme pain and numbness in his legs was relieved, and he was able to resume driving to get out and about to do whatever suited him, and to meet his buddies on a daily basis. He did not have a recurrence of the problem for the ten years he had remaining to him, and often said that the cost of the operation was the best money his insurance company ever spent.

MG: Pulled this photo from the Ruger forum, purports to be a Bearcat spring seat in place of the lock. Caveat:I have no experience with this, just found it on-line a while back and saved it. I have 4 NMV's with the lock, haven't changed them in the 12 years I've been shooting them. CS

+1 to everything J-Bar wrote. My personal preference is for hot soapy water followed by a hot rinse, metal dries a bit faster that way. Also, if you have one available, an air compressor/blow gun is ideal for removing the water from all the nooks and crannies before oiling. I use Ballistol. Many BP shooters carry a water jug to drop the spent brass into, either at the unloading table if there's room, or at the cart. Since the brass is already wet, I went with wet tumbling with stainless steel pins. Pop the primers out, follow directions, and you have bright, shiny brass inside and out. Negative side of that is the initial cost of the set-up - but then, I no longer have to haunt the pet stores looking for Lizard Litter...or clean debris out of flash holes. CS

Another consideration is new or used - if you are looking at a new diesel, you will have to contend with both the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems. All three US manufacturers have had "issues" with DEF systems, including people using out-of-date fluid. DPF's don't really take well to extended idling/short trips, which leads to the computer running regenerations to burn off the particulates, or requiring a forced regen, meaning a trip to the dealer in most cases. Don't take all this the wrong way - I'm happy with my Chevy diesel, a 2009, which doesn't use DEF. It's used to haul stuff and tow the 5th wheel - I have a Chevy van with gasser for my daily driver and CAS trips where I'm not camping. From your description of intended use, I'd recommend going with the gas engine - cheaper initially, less maintenance. CS

Local restaurant has a featured dish they call "The Volcano:" Piece of Texas toast, smothered in ground round, piled high with French fries or hash browns, topped with cheddar cheese sauce, then covered with spicy chilli (with beans) and onions...a favorite of my younger brother, a bit much volume for me! CS

That's it! CS

The first year that we held this shoot it was 23 degrees when we started. Had a large kerosene heater stationed nearby. The wind came up, the temperature dropped steadily all day, and snow began to fall. Everyone managed to shoot the stages and do posse work, but at some point each of the dozen shooters wound up spending some quality time with his/her boots propped up about 1 foot in front of the heater. Kept us all going through the day. As we left the range, it was 18 degrees with an inch-and-a-half of snow on the hill. Also, shot at Mississippi Fandango one year when the Sunday morning temp. was 19, and at Branson, Missouri last October when it was 17. Glutton for punishment, I guess. Actually, mittens with chemical hand warmers, ear muffs, and an oilskin drover coat can make it work...another good reason to be a BP shooter too - guns get warm, but not for long, then the hands go back in the mittens. CS

Thanks, UB CS

I have shot BP in my Marlins since 2008 - absolutely no problems whatsoever related to the guns. Naturally, I get some blowback from the .45 Colt rounds that I shoot, but a drop of Ballistol on a couple of key points is all it takes to keep the action running. I have on several occasions done eight stages in a day, still running strong at the end. As OLG just mentioned these are Ballard-rifling guns.

I'm sad to report that long-time cowboy, Fillmore (aka. William "Bill" Fillman), passed away early this morning after a long battle with illness. Those of you who knew Fillmore know that he was a fast shooter and a tough competitor who would push and scrap to come out on top, but at the same time would offer good advice, loan guns, and quite literally give the shirt off his back to anyone who was in need. Fillmore truly lived "the cowboy way" in every sense of those words, and I am proud to have had the honor of knowing and working with him. Services will be this Saturday, January 12, at Wise Family Funeral Hone in Avon, Illinois. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM, with services at 10:30. An online obituary should be available later this week at the link below. https://www.wisefamilyfuneralhome.com/listings CS

Works very well, especially if the shooter is usually engaged in a lot of active posse work, as it frees up whatever time it takes to recharge after each stage. Downsides are the cost of the extra cylinders and the necessity to clean all those cylinders after the match. Also a consideration is recharging all 12 cylinders for a two-day, 12-stage match - unless, of course, you happen to own 24 cylinders...! CS

My son, Colonel Kit Coyote...anyone remember the source of the alias?

Finally! The photo really I wanted to include back in Post #5 - found the thumb drive lurking in the bottom of my travel bag! Also, adding a photo of Bookworm Sandy, who passed away a few years ago.