T-Square

@Scarlett what a great App !! Largest ball of twine, here we come!

As we make ready for the Wagon Train to Etna Green, I’ve been scouting the territory for the must-see sights around town. And YES… there are some! 😂 For a few days, T-SQUARE, Scourge of the Old West, is holstering those modern-day Wild Bunch guns and trading gun smoke for a little local culture, history, architecture, and adventure! Thursday, August 27th is the last day of Wild Bunch, and while the smoke clears, I’m heading to South Bend for a self-guided walking tour and pencil sketching extravaganza at Notre Dame University. Sketchbook in hand, boots on the ground, and hopefully no stampede or outlaws wandering through the quad! Then it’s off to Goshen for a 2:00 PM tour of the Brinkley RV factory—where I’ll get to see how they build the very kind of wagon I’ve been dragging across the country! 🤠 Want to join the posse? If you’re a Cowboy, Cowgirl, Gambler, Soiled Dove, or just a plain ol’ trail hand who’d like to see some of the local sights while we’re in Indiana, send me a DM. I’ll be happy to share my itinerary and whereabouts, and you’re welcome to join the expedition! You will have to register on the Brinkley website for the factory tour !! @Misty Moonshine @rubyruthless @Sixgun Seamus @Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L @Scarlett

The Gallatin Valley Regulators put on one heck of a match. The gunsmoke was thicker—and a whole lot more fun—than the smoke drifting over from the Spokane fires, and the heat of competition was hotter than Montana’s recent heatwave! Great stages, great competition, and most importantly, a great bunch of cowboys enjoying the sport we all love. If you haven't made it to Logan yet, come on up and shoot with the Gallatin Valley Regulators at the 17th Annual Shoot & Toot. Bring your six-guns, your shotgun, your rifle, and your best cowboy chili - September 12th, registration is at 8:30 am You’ll leave with a little more gunsmoke on your clothes, a big grin on your face, and probably a few new friends. Come shoot with us! 🤠🔥💨

@Blackwater 53393 WarTrace is one of the finest. I'd still come if I had to stay down the road in a hotel ! wait, I did that and I almost got kidnapped for Bonaroo !! @Badlands Bob #61228 Agreed Bob. I'l just learning this wagon train adventure, and I certainly appreciate all your wisdom and helpfulness. Like you, I'm planning a year in advance, so we can visit some of the sites along the way. If you want reservations in a National Park, you need a year to make park reservations.

Thanks for all the comments. Every one of those concerns is real, and they're the same obstacles many clubs are wrestling with today. I guess I'm just wired to ask a different question: How do we overcome those challenges? As was mentioned earlier, even a saddlebag full of gold won't solve every problem. Some of these issues can't be bought away—they have to be solved with creativity, determination, and a willingness to think a little differently. Maybe that means knocking on the next rancher's door and asking if we can use a pasture for a week to add two dozen dry camping spaces. Maybe it's paying volunteers instead of hoping they'll magically appear. Like the old saying goes, you usually get what you pay for. Not every match is meant to be End of Trail, and not every shooter wants to attend a huge event. Some folks love the intimacy of a small monthly match. Others enjoy the excitement and spectacle of a big state or regional championship. There's plenty of room on the trail for both. I ask; If the large shoots sell out quickly, and a Club match struggle to get two posses - what does that tell you ?? Is one event more exciting and the other boring or lame? Or does everyone just want to go to visit OKC in October, every year, and hit the local sass match ?! I certainly don't claim to have all the answers. What I'm advocating is a mindset—one that looks for possibilities instead of roadblocks. Around the Old West, if a wagon hit a washout, the pioneers didn't camp there forever complaining about the hole. They found another way across. Our game faces the same choice today. There's an old business saying: "If you're not growing, you're dying." It may sound harsh, but there's truth in it. One day you'll look around and realize your club didn't age one year—it aged twenty. The cowboys and cowgirls who built it are hanging up their hats, and the campfire is getting mighty quiet. I don't know how old you'll be when you decide to call it quits, but until that day, I'd rather spend my time figuring out how to grow this game than explaining why we couldn't. So let's keep our powder dry, our minds open, and keep looking over the next ridge.

Why not just expand the number of attendees? If there is a will, there is a way. Why spend the energy on "we can't" when we'd all be better off with "what if" ? Nothing on this earth is standing still. It's either growing or it's dying. No matter if it's a SASS match or a human being"......some famous western historical football coach quote. Let's think outside the box, Like when the sign says "No food in the Gym" - why not add garbage cans and have supplies for clean-up, so the spectators can enjoy themselves??! Let's add some shooting bays, write faster stages, get a larger banquet hall, strike a deal with the local landowner for some additional camper spots - you got this man !! The more, The merrier !

@Waimea Thanks Waimea. Yes, AI isnt as good as the Cowboys here !! When I get some time, I will dig deeper into the actual route, with departure dates, travel days, and arrival dates. Then I'll work on the site visits and places of interest. Eventually I will export the wagon trail into RV LIFE, for RV-safe GPS and Camping locations along the way. One night at a Cracker Barrel is okay, but we'll need a better campsite for those week(s) between some of the shoots.

Randy: I will update the actual dates, and eventually include departure and arrival times. Looking forward to shooting WarTrace again! The move from Ackerman to Byhalia shortens that leg by roughly 100 miles and places the match much closer to the Memphis area, which may open up a few additional sightseeing opportunities if you'd like to add one there. @Diamond Jake do you have room in your driveway !! (joke)

safe travels and good, clean shooting my Friend ! Looking forward to your additions to this travel journal !

And here is the Official T-SQUARE Wagon Train Trail. I hope you will consider joining me for a stop or two ! We have some time to coordinate (1) Range Camping or (2) RV Park camping. My camping preference will be (1) on-range, (2) next to the range, or (3) at the closest RV park. DM me and we can work out the details of SASS Camp.

Here is a little travel help from Chat GPT: Here's the trail in chronological order, making a grand loop through the Southeast. Date State Championship Location Nov. 5–7, 2026 North Carolina State Championship – Uprising at Swearing Creek Salisbury, NC Apr. 8–10, 2027 South Carolina State Championship – Rampage at Ridgeville Ridgeville, SC Apr. 15–17, 2027 Florida State Championship – The Last Stand Hernando, FL Apr. 22–24, 2027 Kentucky State Championship – Shootout in the Hills Cave City, KY Apr. 29 – May 1, 2027 Alabama State Championship – Shootout at Cavern Cove Woodville, AL May 13–15, 2027 Georgia State Championship – Stampede at South River Covington, GA May 28–30, 2027 Mississippi State Championship – Smokin' Guns at Rabbit Ridge Ackerman, MS June 1–3, 2027 Tennessee State Championship – The Regulators' Reckoning Wartrace, TN Approximate Driving Legs Salisbury, NC → Ridgeville, SC: ~220 miles Ridgeville, SC → Hernando, FL: ~360 miles Hernando, FL → Cave City, KY: ~700 miles Cave City, KY → Woodville, AL: ~220 miles Woodville, AL → Covington, GA: ~220 miles Covington, GA → Ackerman, MS: ~300 miles Ackerman, MS → Wartrace, TN: ~250 miles Total driving: approximately 2,270 miles across eight state championships. This schedule is ideal for RV travelers, with a week between most matches and nearly two weeks before Georgia, giving plenty of time for sightseeing, visiting friends, or finding the next Walmart or campground. By the time you reach Tennessee, you'll have crossed eight states, fired hundreds of rounds, made lifelong friends, and (if you're a Frontierman) left enough black powder smoke to be seen from space! Saddle up—the Magnificent Eight Trail is calling.

Well, butter my biscuits and pass the powder flask—the Magnificent Seven has grown into the Magnificent Eight! With the North Carolina State Championship joining the trail, there's now eight chances to collect stories, smiles, and maybe a buckle or two. If you've never tried Frontierman, now's the time. Bring those cap-and-ball six-shooters, make plenty of smoke, and remind everyone what real gunfire sounded like before smokeless powder spoiled the fun. Besides, every posse needs at least one Frontierman to keep the mosquitoes away! So hitch up the wagon, load the powder, and join the ride. The smoke is thicker, the laughs are louder, and the Magnificent Eight is waiting for you! T-SQUARE IS COMING, AND HELLS COMING WITH ME ! (sorry, I just couldn't resist). LOL

I'd be on my way already, if I didn't have to go to Etna Green for the Triple Classic !! See y'all soon !

Big Sky Smoke & Montana Hospitality The 2026 Montana State Championship There are places where the mountains touch the heavens, the prairie stretches beyond the horizon, and the sweet aroma of black powder drifts across the morning air. Great Falls, Montana, is one of those places. Hosted by the Bitterroot Buckaroos at the outstanding Black Horse Shootists range, the 2026 Montana State Championship was far more than a shooting match—it was a week-long celebration of the Cowboy Way. From the moment the first campers rolled through the gate, old friends reunited, new friendships were forged, and the spirit of SASS was on full display. The festivities began with registration, volunteer shoot-throughs, and final preparations by an army of dedicated cowboys and cowgirls. Tuesday featured Range Officer training, while Wednesday and Thursday belonged to the Wild Bunch crowd with two days of .45-caliber excitement, speed events, and specialty side matches. By Thursday afternoon, competitors from across the country were still arriving, and the hospitality began immediately. Registration wasn't simply a packet and a handshake; volunteers welcomed every shooter, explained the week's activities, scholarship fundraisers, swap meet, and side matches, making newcomers feel like old friends. Friday's four-stage warm-up match proved that Montana doesn't hand out victories. The stages demanded concentration, smooth gun handling, and careful reading of the instructions. The target placement and creative scenarios struck the perfect balance between challenging and fun. Mother Nature also joined the festivities. Friday evening brought booming thunder and much-needed rain, but by sunrise Saturday, the prairie sparkled beneath crystal-clear skies as competitors gathered beneath the gallows for opening ceremonies. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Match Directors Johnny Pinebox and May B. Shecan welcomed the shooters before turning everyone loose for the championship. The patriotic-themed stages were beautifully designed with covered wagons, stagecoaches, poker-card targets, tombstones, and knockdown plate racks. Every scenario flowed naturally, rewarding accuracy, smooth gun handling, and just enough strategy to keep every shooter thinking. Saturday evening showcased one of the finest SASS traditions—the community potluck. The hosts grilled delicious hamburgers with all the fixings while competitors filled the tables with homemade side dishes and desserts fit for a cattle baron's banquet. After supper, Southwest Trapper and Hardtack Henry led a lively sing-along that echoed across the campground. As stories grew taller and laughter filled the Montana evening, it became clear that while we come for the competition, we return for the fellowship. Sunday delivered another picture-perfect Montana day as competitors finished the championship. Following a wonderful fried chicken lunch, awards recognized outstanding performances across every category, but every shooter left feeling like a winner thanks to the incredible volunteers who kept the match running flawlessly. The Montana State Championship succeeds because of the dedication of Johnny Pinebox, May B. Shecan, the Bitterroot Buckaroos, the Black Horse Shootists, and countless volunteers who created an event defined by outstanding stages, exceptional hospitality, and genuine western camaraderie. If you've never experienced the Montana State Championship, hitch up the wagon and put it on next year's calendar. You'll find challenging shooting, breathtaking scenery, unforgettable fellowship, and some of the finest people anywhere in SASS. The smoke was thick, the laughter was plentiful, and the memories will last a lifetime. I'll be back.

my contact is pretty trustworthy and sits in the C-suite. I believe !! Amen and Amen

I have an insider friend with the investor groups who purchased GOEX visa ve Estes Energetic visa ve Hodgedon Powder Company. Construction progress is being made and they plan to be operational in the late summer. I'm told we could see the GOEX on shelves this fall. Start saving your money friends so you can get at least one-years worth !!

Dispatch from the Montana Territory... Well now, pards... word has drifted across the prairie that Forsyth, Montana set a blisterin' new record yesterday afternoon when the mercury clawed its way to 118 degrees around five bells. Some folks blame it on the weather. Me? I reckon it's because we're a mile closer to the sun up here in Big Sky Country! With my faithful covered wagon pointed toward Great Falls for the Montana State Championship, I've been making final preparations. The ice box is packed to the brim with cold, clean drinking water, an extra sack of ice is tucked away for emergencies, and every black powder smoke wagon has been inspected and is ready to make glorious clouds of holy smoke that could light the prairie ablaze ! If you're headed this way, don't forget your hat, your sunscreen, and enough water to float a riverboat. The forecast may be hotter than a $2 pistol, but that won't stop a gathering of the finest cowfolk west of the Mississippi. We're fixin' to spend several days slingin' lead, ringin' steel, tellin' lies around camp, and making memories under Montana's endless skies. Whether you're chasing a state title or just looking to enjoy good friends and great stages, this promises to be one rip-roarin' championship. Safe travels to everyone hittin' the trail. We'll see you on the firing line where the smoke is thick, the laughter is louder than the gunfire, and the hospitality is as big as the Montana sky. See y'all in Great Falls! — T-Square

I am looking forward to meeting you in-person ! Safe travels my friend !

Hear Ye, Smoke-Eaters, Frontiersmen, and Pistol-Packin' Cowboys! If your irons are hungry for action and your powder horn is beggin' for another charge, then point your wagons toward Big Sky Country for the 2026 SASS Montana State Championship, July 15-19, at the mighty Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex, hosted by the Bitterroot Buckaroos Old West Shooting & Social Club! Expect twelve fast-paced stages of cowboy mayhem, Wild Bunch, long-range, side matches, fine fellowship, and enough Montana scenery to make an eagle stop and stare. Bring your cap guns, your black powder, and enough holy black to blanket the prairie in glorious smoke! There ain't no sweeter perfume than burnt charcoal drifting across the firing line while the steel sings and the brass flies. Whether you're chasing buckles, braggin' rights, or just another unforgettable trail ride with your cowboy family, this is one match you don't want to miss. So dust off your boots, hitch up the RV, load the ammo wagon, and ride north. Montana is callin'—and the Bitterroot Buckaroos are fixin' to show you a rip-roarin' good time that'll have you grinnin' all the way back to the homestead. Check their website for last-minute registrations -- https://bitterrootbuckaroos.org/sass-montana-state-championship/ We'll see y'all where the mountains touch the sky... and where the smoke rolls thick! Drop a comment below - who's coming ??

I've been learning the SASS Premier software for our club as our longtime scorekeeper transitions his responsibilities to a new generation of volunteers. It has given us the opportunity to update both our SASS Premier system and several of our internal club processes. What I've discovered is that SASS Premier is far more than a match scoring program. While everyone knows it records stage times, it also includes hundreds of features that can simplify club administration. If you're willing to invest a little time learning what it can do, you'll find it to be an invaluable tool for everything from membership management and annual dues invoicing to match registration, reporting, and, of course, scoring. I've encouraged CD Tom and Misty Moonshine to offer a SASS Premier class at Land Run. Most of the opposition I've heard about the software haven't been about what it can do—they've been about not knowing that a feature already exists or how it works. It's easy to say, "Our club doesn't do it that way," but some of these tools can save volunteers a tremendous amount of time. For example, automatically generating annual club dues invoices is something every club should consider. If you have questions about SASS Premier or want to learn more about its capabilities, don't hesitate to reach out to CD Tom, he is here on the wire or DM me and I will try and help. This isn't a paid endorsement—just one club volunteer sharing what I've been learning about the SASS Premier software.

Looks like Eagle Grips. I have a few pairs, in pearl, white, blue, and pink. I use the pink in October because of my love for the tata's !

@Waterboy A mighty tip of the hat to Waterboy and the entire Border Vigilantes posse! Putting on Hell on Wheels ain't just a match—it's a full-blown frontier undertaking that takes months of hard work, countless volunteer hours, and a whole wagonload of grit. Every target, prop, and stage showed the pride and dedication of folks who truly love this game. If you've never ridden into Cheyenne for Hell on Wheels, quit makin' excuses and mark your calendar for next year - their 30th anniversary shoot. You'll find fast shootin', great folks, plenty of black powder smoke, and enough laughs to last until the next roundup. It's one heck of a Wyoming adventure you won't want to miss!

@Scarlett AWESOME!! 🤠 That news is sweeter than a clean stage and a cloud of black powder smoke! I'm always mighty proud to see you and Tommy ride into camp. You're one of the finest ambassadors this game could ever ask for—a top-notch shooter, a true cowgirl, and an even better friend. The ND/SD match and Hell on Wheels are both marked on my 2027 wagon train route, so we'll surely be making plenty of noise together. I'll mosey over and study your full trail schedule, because I'm betting there are a whole lot more places where we can fill the prairie air with thunder, laughter, and enough gunsmoke to make the buffalo wonder what happened! ....and I'm going to need to replenish the supplies in my wagons. Safe travels, and I'll be looking forward to riding the trail with you two all across the frontier!

@Assassin HECK YEAH ! Sign me up for July 2027. You and the entire Club did an exceptional job. I forgot to mention the swap meet - most swap meets are "junk sales" but these cowboys had real quaility items, and guns, for sale or trade. I even scored some black powder. Thanks again for an exceptional match, and see you down the trail !!!

Just to add my opinion to this thread: In this real-life situation; I am confident in my ablilities to load the cylnders (and wasn't distracted for a picture) - so I knew it was a bad cap. I raced thru the stage, and simply took the FIZZ as one miss. I'm here for the fun, smoke, and fire, and have no expectation of ever being clean ! (no shade on the clean shooters though - good for them and the Clean Pin manufacturers). If I wanted to start over, my preference would be to go back to the loading table, pic that cylinder, and assuming no other issue, to simply re-cap - and wait my turn to return to the line. Like I said, I 'knew' it was a cap issue. Since COVID all the reloading parts are of the poorest quality. If my choice was to go and clear my pistol, or pistols, I'll take the miss. Until there is a SUBSTANTIAL increase in prize money, or Goex starts making black powder again, I'm not wasting $10 bucks and 10 minutes holding up the posse. After my stage, and clearing all other guns at the unloading table, the TO did let me return to the line and clear my chamber. A new cap and BANG - I hit the correct target too BUT THEY STILL GAVE ME A MISS !!!! LOL Thanks to all my Frontiersman brethren ! See you down the trail, behind a cloud of gunsmoke.