Phiren Smoke GUNFIGHTER

Not yet, probably this afternoon or tomorrow. Check our website and our facebook page. one may get posted before the other. SPOILER ALERT: Missouri Lefty won first over all. Okaw was first and I was second in Outlaw. And that is about all my feeble brain could retain. Congratulations to all the category winners. And thanks again to everyone who attended. Smoke

Rudy, Thank you for the kind words. You and Lady Cheyenne were great additions to a great posse. Thanks to all the workers and shooters that came together to make this match a success. Smoke

In an earlier post I mentioned feeling like a snowflake tumbling down a hill. Well, I am loaded up and headed to the range in a few minutes and it feels like I am in an avalanche. Yee Haw, what a ride. See you all there. This is Sparta, Smoke

Safecracker, Thanks for the link and the update. Mary, Looking forward to seeing you both there. Entries are really pouring in now, but we have plenty of space. Come on out and shoot with us. This is Sparta, Smoke

Ok everyone we are less than a month away. I have a round count for the 8 stage main match. 80 pistol, 80 rifle, and 32+ shot gun should get you through the main match. Plan on 30 pistol, 30 rifle and 12 to 20 shotgun for the three stage warm up match. I have not seen the stages for the WB side match, but figure on 30 rifle and 18 to 30 shotgun. If past experience holds true bring bunches of pistol ammo, my guess would be 75 should do, but I am bringing more. Hope to see you all there. This is Sparta, Smoke

If you are thinking about signing up but need a little nudge, your entry gets you a chance for a IAC M97 and a Ruger 10/22. Boxes of ammo and shot shells and several other items round out the door prizes. Did I mention every shooter gets a pair of Smith & Wesson shooting glasses by Radians. The match is just over a month away. Do not get left out, years from now you can tell friends you attended the first "SSS". Applications are available on our website kaskaskiacowboys.com This is Sparta! Smoke

Blackwater, Absolutely, while advance notice helps with awards and meals and so forth. We want to accommodate as many shooters as best we can. Come on up and shoot with us. Smoke

You got that right, Noz. It looks like a city all to itself when it is full. If it will help tempt you we are having side matches and a WB match on Friday before the main match. We felt having a one day main match would help minimize the shooter's hotel needs. But I sure understand not wanting to spend most of the day on the road. We sure enjoyed having you. You are welcome back anytime. Smoke

Got some more info for everyone signed up or considering attending "SSS". The theme this year will be "The Magnificent Seven, Then and Now". Most any cowboy is familiar with the 1960 film and I am sure many have seen the recent remake. So sign up and give us your best Steve McQueen or Denzel Washington impersonation. We still have openings available. Information and entry forms are on our website: Kaskaskiacowboys.com This is Sparta, Smoke

"If you are going to shoot....SHOOT, don't talk." Sorry ,just could not resist. That is a great looking rig. Welcome to the fun, Smoke

Thank you gentlemen this is the info I was looking for. I will check them out. Smoke

Griff, Tried google. Like you said lot's of choices came up. I thought asking here might help narrow the search some. Probably should have made that clearer in the first post. Thanks, Smoke

Anyone know of a source for custom made conchos for a project I am contemplating. Thanks in advance, Smoke

Duece did a video loading four from the right/trigger hand that works good for me, when I use a 97. Used method 1 and 3 from the OP before that. Smoke

Thanks for all the kind words, gentlemen and lady! I did not want to respond until I had more info. Applications are available on our website kaskaskiacowboys.com. Thank you, Miss Weev and Shyanne and Mr. Russ. Click the tab for Sparta Summer Shootout for info and link to app. Camping can be reserved at reserveamerica.com. Just got a call with questions about the match. Why do I feel like a snow flake just starting to tumble down a big hill? Hope to see you all there. This is Sparta, Smoke

WW, CDNN had some, but that was sometime ago. Good luck in your quest, Smoke

Rocky, I understand your enthusiasm and it being winter where you are it is difficult to get to a match. But you can often find nicer used guns for what you may spend on this starter set. Maybe, a good compromise would be to contact the club you will be shooting at and see if any of the members have guns to sell in your price range. Having said all that the Rossi and Traditions should serve you well. I used a Rossi for many years before it became the limiting factor in my stage times. Using 38 special ammo in 357 firearms is probably the cheapest route. If you reload 45 would narrow the gap on what you will save compared to 38. Unless you are mechanically gifted and enjoy tinkering the Taurus should be avoided. Good luck in your quest, Smoke

Forgot to mention camping will be available, but must be reserved and paid for through the state of Illinois. Campsites are on the grounds, but about a mile away from the cowboy range. If needed we can arrange transportation to and from the campsites. This is Sparta, Smoke

BTT, because some people might still think we are not having matches. We have been having monthly matches for most of this season. But this will be our first annual since the range was closed. This is Sparta, Smoke

The Kaskaskia Cowboys are pleased to announce "The Sparta Summer Shootout". It will be held on Saturday June 10, 2017 at The World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Il. The entry fee for "SSS" is $45 and includes lunch and entry into a practice match, a mini WB match, and a drawing for giveaways, and of course the eight stage main match. The practice match and mini WB match will be held Friday June 9, 2017. Entry forms will be available on our website kaskaskiacowboys.com in the coming weeks, and I will post more info as I remember it and as it becomes available. If you have wanted to shoot at Sparta or have shot here in the past and wanted to return, save the date. Hope to see you there. This is Sparta, Smoke