Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

Days Of Truth, The 2023 European Cowboy Championships!


Frederick Jackson Turner

Recommended Posts

Hey, folks;

I'm headed home, after about the best week of Cowboy Action Shooting anyone could ever hope for, the Days Of Truth European Cowboy Championnships.

 

I'll be writing an upcoming article for the SASS Chronicle, where you can get more details, but for now, here are the highlights.

 

With 360 shooters, this event was nearly twice the size of the SASS Western Regional, which is where this game began.  And the event was limited by the size of the facility to "only" 360 competitors.

 

The event sold out in under 24 hours.

 

ELEVEN nations were represented by shooters.  Sadly, there was only one American on hand.  They went out of their way to make me feel welcome.

 

Their Wild Bunch match featured 130 shooters, making it the LARGEST Wild Bunch Match outside of the US, with nearly 40% of ALL participants!.

 

Way back in 2010 and 20011, I went over there to help give European shooting a kick in the tail, and offered a Cowboy Action Shooting Class, to show how we do things in the US.   (You can find the results of that event in the September and October 2010 issues of the Chronicle, here:) https://www.sassnet.com/resources/cowboy-chronicle

 

A dozen years later...this.  They have a load of shooters who can compete with anyone in the US.  Every kid under about 30 is shooting 2-second rifle strings.

 

This was the best SASS event I have ever attended.  It was GREAT!

 

I am so jet-lagged, hung over and exhausted...I'll let that speak for itself.  But, trust me; I'm going back.

 

Cheers!

 

FJT

 

 

 

IMG_4456.jpeg

IMG_4474.jpeg

IMG_4518.jpeg

IMG_4532.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FJT, congrats on the win...I'm sure it was a great trip.  I'm sure your article will cover how you either got your guns shipped or you were able to borrow some from a friend...we all would be interested in that detail.  Anyway I'm glad you got to make it there and like others I'm much interested in seeing your article when it is published.

 

Kajun

 

PS. Were any squeezeboxes harmed in this endeavor? :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

For those who are curious about such things, this time, I chose NOT to take firearms with me.  Travel restrictions and baggage limitations forced me to make a choice - should I take a guitar, as I was the entertainment for the Match banquet, and borrow firearms, or take firearms, and rent/borrow a guitar?

 

Borrowing or renting musical instruments can be pretty chancy.  I chose to rely on the kindness of strangers for the firearms, and deal with whatever the results were.  I was there for the party.  Though a few things were not exactly as hoped for, things did work out.

 

Pay attention to the high points, though, if you choose to leave your cello or accordion at home.

 

You can legally take a suite of up to four firearms, at the courtesy of the carrier.  That will probably be Lufthansa, so get in touch with them MONTHS in advance, and get permission in writing.  Do NOT do this upon arrival at the airport, ok?  If you do choose, remember; use a locked, hardshell case, no ammo with guns, same as the US.  There will likely be a special transport fee, so be prepared to add that to the cost of the trip.

 

Their shotgun ammo is terrific, and they have several brands and loads which work as well or better than the Winchester/Remington that we normally use.  So, purchase S/G ammo there.

 

Ditto the cowboy loads, although you'll be able to slide under their weight restrictions if you take about 280 rds of typical .38.  If you shoot .45, find a local supplier.

 

Here are some links with the important details.  It is VERY doable, if you follow the protocols.

 

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

 

https://www.ice.gov/investigations/astp/faq

 

https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/information-about-dangerous-goods

 

Cheers!

 

FJT

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were close to joining you but our trip was pushed back to September.

I am hoping to go to a local match in France.

Looks like the closest to where we are staying would 3 hours drive. Eh, it's only money. LoL

What is it like $8.00 a gallon now?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

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