Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

Dusty Devil Dale

Members
  • Posts

    3,515
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Dusty Devil Dale

  1. There are too many variables and needs between different shooters.  Garrison Joe shared some good advice,  above. Teach basics of  reloading for our game, and let individuals  figure out how to fit that into their own lifestyle and budget.  

     

    There are just two rules of thumb for me:

     

    1.  I buy components earlier, rather than later, because prices are not going to drop in our lifetimes and there WILL be pauses in availability.

     

    2.  I don't store flammable components or large quantities of loaded ammo in my home or connected shop-garage.  I keep them in a separate outbuilding, to avoid my insurance being voided in case of a fire.   Most insurance carriers disclaim flammable or explosive materials (and they are clueless about smokeless powder differences).  

     

  2. When I began cowboy shooting, a close friend (named Snakebite) told me that before long I would need to decide if I wanted to be a CAS "Competitor", or be a "Participant".  He explained the difference, including the cost and commitment, but I think it all went on through my brain without sticking.

     

    Both my wife and I went through some stages in making (or evolving) that decision. 

    First, We found ourselves in the living room almost every night, decked out in leather, guns loaded up with snap caps and sticky note targets hanging from the mantle and walls. 

    Then, every chance we had, (dozens of days) we were at the range wearing ear protection, timing and videoing each other in live fire transition drills, then analyzing the results and working on stick points. 

     

    In between those sessions, I spent countless hours and dollars sitting, pulling the handle on a 650XL, until I literally developed shoulder tendinitis.   As the component costs escalated, the hours at the loader became VERY expensive, but still we practiced every chance we could find, either at the Club range or up at our ranch.  That went on for years!  Although Snakebite's words remained in my memory, the game was gradually revealing to me that I do not have the speed and dexderity to progress very far beyond a mediocre "Competitor".  (But both of us are fine "Participants"!)

    My stage times on difficult stages remained between 20 and 30 sec, which is simply not fast enough to win  buckles and accolades at big matches. 

     

    As my age has stretched out to 75, it has become evident that I am slowing down, rather than speeding up.  But I really think that is OK. 

     

    Would I like to have spent less time practicing, case cleaning, reloading and working at our club range?  Possibly --I dont really know.  I have enjoyed all of that a great deal, but I do get a lump in my throat looking at my backpack, or pulling out my big tuna reels and realizing I may never have a chance to feel them in action again.  For a decade, I have done little else besides cowboy shooting, drifting away from other shooting sports,  fishing, and a host of hobbies.

     

    Now time is passing faster.  Weeks seem to go by in hours. 

    Both of us still shoot, but we've laid off of 90% of the practice, realizing it was a huge time investment that was not producing fruit.  

     

    We've gotten back into backpacking, road trips, fishing, and a wider range of activities.   We both still love our club events, comeraderie,  and the competition, but we just want more breadth from the time we have left together. 

    So if you seek to be a top "Competitor", then realize it won't come free or easy.  Make sure it is what you really want.  Our lives have a lot to offer.   Just some food for thought.20240718_170544.thumb.jpg.d1b94d7637209b57721220a9185c58f7.jpg

    I didn't catch this big girl, but I had a lot of fun trying (and posing beside it. )

    Again--- life has a lot to offer. 

     

     

     

     

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1
  3. One thing that narrows our participation to "nicer" players is the fact that we resist temptation to shoot for the huge cash or other prizes and endorsements that we see in everything from bass or marlin fishing to tournament trap, tennis, or  golf.  We always laugh about not winning the  Cadillac, but it assures that people come here for the game, the fun and the social engagement.  

     

    That is not the case in other competitive sports, where big prizes drive their "Who is comming" lists.  In other shooting sports, many competitors are glad to see a competitor fall, or drop a firearm, or have a squib or jamb. 

     

     In CAS, we line up to help, loan them our equipment, supply their forgotten ammo or repair their  guns.  Then we go BBQ, eat and laugh together.

    Our big prizes come from raffles or other things that are aside to the shooting.  Instead, we play for $2.50 medals, $40 belt buckles, bragging rights and FUN WITH  FRIENDS.

     

    Somehow we have resisted the temptation to shoot for prizes like new XL750s, bass boats or Jeeps, and our "demographics" reflect that. 

     

    • Like 2
  4. On 1/17/2017 at 8:34 PM, Yul Lose said:

    Be sure and remove the butt stock if you flush out the rifle and oil it heavily. A lot of the old long guns you see have weakened or ruined stocks because of the fluids that have gravitated into them when the guns were stood up. The stock comes off very easily on Pedersoli Lightnings.

    An easy way to avoid the oiling of rifle and shotgun stocks is to store the guns muzzle down.  It looks funny, but the oil stays on the metal parts, where you intended it to go.   I usually run a swab or bore mop down the barrel after storing for any length of time.   The oil can accumulate and gum up in the chamber.  

    • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.