How do you prep for Land Run

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

Tell me about some of the things you do to prep for a big match like Land Run, EOT, or a State Championship.

Do you make special match grade ammo? Do you disassemble and thoroughly clean each gun? Test fire? Do you pack spare parts? Do you take back up guns? Pack a small cleaning kit? Do you make a check list? 

Edited September 11 by John Barleycorn, SASS #76982

[Boggus Deal #64218]

I always load match ammo. I always took tested guns to a match. I always took backup guns. I always took spare parts and tools..

[WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L]

I load my truck and go!!!  LOL

[I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321]

I also load ammo specifically for the match but no changes on load.  If I have to fix or tweak any of my guns, I make sure I shoot the monthly match prior and check its function and when everything works great, I clean them thoroughly before the big match.  Always took my back up, spare parts, tools and cleaning kit. If traveling far, I always make a check list.

Edited September 11 by I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321

[Totes Magoats]

Fully deep clean all the guns 2 monthly matches prior to Land Run.  Load new brass ammo, once fired SG shells.  Dry fire transition practice weekend prior to Land. run. Bring way more ammo that I'll need.
Always take spare rifle parts and screws.  No spare parts for pistols or SG.  Can use wife's if needed as they are setup the same (SG and Pistols).

 

Review last year's scores and set goals for this year.

 

Text Hoss and make breakfast and dinner plans.  

 

Totes

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Checklist:  I have one on my computer and use it before every match.  Much of it involves preparing the travel trailer.

Guns: need to be clean and all screws tight.  I don't bring spare parts but do bring backup firearms (and have needed them).

Ammo:  For warm-up matches I just bring the ordinary ammo I use for local matches.  This means many times reloaded brass cartridges and Gun Club hulls for shotgun.  For the main match I use virgin brass in the rifle and STS or Nitro hulls in the shotgun.  Don't shoot junk ammo in the main match even if it is a lost brass match!  Shotgun hulls must be perfectly smooth.  I bring a little extra ammo in case I have a reshoot or discover a few high primers.  I have handed black powder shotgun shells to fellow posse members who ran short.

Clothing: bring clothing for rain or shine.  I have rubber boots and a raincoat and have worn them at both EOT and Land Run.  Bring a rain cover for your gun cart too.

Cash: food vendors and some other onsite merchants only take cash.  Bring plenty.  However, there are nearby ATM machines if needed.

Paperwork:  I bring copies of my match registration and all camping reservations.  These might be needed.

Glasses: I bring spare shooting glasses as I had a pair fall apart at EOT.

Camping: I bring dishes I can share with fellow campers in a potluck.  At Land Run I bring a Y-connector for water hookup and 50A to 30A connector as I sometimes don't get a 30A outlet.  Long water hoses and extension cords are sometimes needed too.

Travel:  there can be winter travel conditions for both Land Run and especially EOT.  Be prepared for route changes and delays.  Driving across Arizona in winter can be a hassle as I-40 has blizzards and I-10 intense dust storms.  Fly to EOT if you can afford it.  Bring ammo for your handguns and rifle(s) but ship shotgun ammo to someone in Arizona who will hold it for you.  This is necessary to stay within airline ammo weight limits.

WiFi: don't expect coverage on range.  Cell phone signals may be weak too.

Cowboy Hall of Fame: a wonderful museum that deserves a full day of your time.  Don't try to see it in just a few hours.

Travel security: many states between PA and matches in the West allow concealed carry and loaded firearms in vehicles.  There is riffraff in rest areas.  Be prepared.

Attitude: EOT and Land Run draw the best shooters in SASS.  Don't try to match the speed of the fastest shooters on your posse.  If you shoot a clean match or finish in the top ten in your category, go home happy.

 

Edited September 11 by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971
grammar

[Texas Maverick]

I load ammo with new brass, take new STS shells, clean guns and shoot at least 2 matches with those clean guns, attend as many matches as possible prior to the main match and have my backup guns with me. Then sit back and relax because it is only a game and just do my best and let the chips fall as they may. It is a great match and you need to have fun at it. Meet new people and old friends and see some of the sites around OKC.

 

TM

[La Sombra]

39 minutes ago, Totes Magoats said:

 

Text Hoss and make breakfast and dinner plans.  

 

Totes

You might want to remember to bring Ginger? Just sayin’.

 

La Sombra 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

I wash my Cry'n towel 

[Blind Squirrel]

Make sure all of my guns are clean, and that I have enough ammunition to get through the match. 

[Krazy Kajun]

6 hours ago, John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 said:

Tell me about some of the things you do to prep for a big match like Land Run, EOT, or a State Championship.

Do you make special match grade ammo? Do you disassemble and thoroughly clean each gun? Test fire? Do you pack spare parts? Do you take back up guns? Pack a small cleaning kit? Do you make a check list? 

Yes to every question.

 

Kajun

[Hoss]

Load 300 rnds rifle, 200 rnds pistol with new star line brass. 
load LR ammo 

bring at least 2x the ammo I think I might possibly need. Then grow in an extra 100 rounds 

practice long range at same distances (300 meters SS, 200 meters lever) 

check function of all guns. No major cleaning. 
I always bring backup rifle & shotgun. Will bring one backup ruger vaquero 

will load RV with clothes etc a could days before leaving. Load foodstuffs day before. 
plan to have fun. 
tell myself “self, you have plenty of cowboy hats. Do not go to Caboy Hats”! 
 

Dream about the overnight oats at Neighborhood Jam with Totes & Ginger! 
 

CAN’T WAIT!
 

 

[Texas Maverick]

and try to visit Cattlemen's Steak House at the stockyards. Been there for decades and great food,

 

TM

[John Barleycorn, SASS #76982]

2 hours ago, Texas Maverick said:

and try to visit Cattlemen's Steak House at the stockyards. Been there for decades and great food,

 

TM

Oh yeah, we ate there year before last. 

[Sixgun Seamus]

Nothing. It's a monthly match with a whole lot more people.

[Texas Maverick]

11 minutes ago, John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 said:

Oh yeah, we ate there year before last. 

I graduated HS in 1968 from Western Heights HS and this was one of our favorite spots to go as a family. It always had great food and service. I go every time I am in OKC.

 

TM

[Cemetery]

Bring plenty of ammo, and then some more.  Clean guns, function test, bring backups, extra parts, tools, and cleaning kit.

 

After last years fiasco, thankfully only happened during warm up stages, I double check the crimp on every single rifle round.  I was having chamber feeding issues due to poor crimps.

[I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321]

14 hours ago, Sixgun Seamus said:

Nothing. It's a monthly match with a whole lot more people.

And it cost a whole lot more to shoot.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

6 hours ago, I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 said:

And it cost a whole lot more to shoot.

 

And there are coveted buckles for the winners.

[Captain Bill Burt]

I bring major match ammo. I define major match ammo as ammo that was inspected carefully for splits or other defects, loaded with careful attention to how the primer seated and then chamber checked.  If four of us are shooting I bring enough ammo for five people.

 

I check the screws and fasteners on all our leather.

 

I do a thorough cleaning of all the guns one to two monthly matches prior to the major match (if possible).  If I can't shoot it in a monthly match prior to the major match then I don't clean it.

 

If the stages are available prior to the match I read them carefully and go over them with the rest of the Burt Bunch.

 

I have a mental check list, pretty straightforward, guns, ammo, leather, cart, range bag, hats, clothes, boots.

 

I don't bring back up guns, we can always use each other's guns if needed, though if a gun breaks during a stage that pretty much precludes winning anything. 

 

I don't bring spare parts.

[Texas Maverick]

19 minutes ago, Captain Bill Burt said:

I bring major match ammo. I define major match ammo as ammo that was inspected carefully for splits or other defects, loaded with careful attention to how the primer seated and then chamber checked.  If four of us are shooting I bring enough ammo for five people.

 

I check the screws and fasteners on all our leather.

 

I do a thorough cleaning of all the guns one to two monthly matches prior to the major match (if possible).  If I can't shoot it in a monthly match prior to the major match then I don't clean it.

 

If the stages are available prior to the match I read them carefully and go over them with the rest of the Burt Bunch.

 

I have a mental check list, pretty straightforward, guns, ammo, leather, cart, range bag, hats, clothes, boots.

 

I don't bring back up guns, we can always use each other's guns if needed, though if a gun breaks during a stage that pretty much precludes winning anything. 

 

I don't bring spare parts.

You forgot to add family to this list. LOL

 

TM

[Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826]

I use a very special checklist. I feel it has given me a competitive edge at times. In the spirit of the game I am going to share my checklist with you and all reading this.

Buffalo Bill Mathewson’s secret CAS checklist.

1. Long Guns

2. Short Guns

3. Leather 

4. Ammo

 

I hope this checklist for CAS helps you as much as it has helped me over the last 20 plus years. 
 

PS: It has been brought to my attention that my checklist is not a fit all for all shooters. Before using my checklist I recommend that you examine your personal needs and adjust the checklist to fit your needs. I can’t and will not be responsible for your lack of readiness. 

Edited September 13 by Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826

[Horace Patootie, SASS #35798]

They say that the prep is the worst part of it, butt I think they're talking about something else.

Horace

[Eyesa Horg]

9 hours ago, Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826 said:

I use a very special checklist. I feel it has given me a competitive edge at times. In the spirit of the game I am going to share my checklist with you and all reading this.

Buffalo Bill Mathewson’s secret CAS checklist.

1. Long Guns

2. Short Guns

3. Leather 

4. Ammo

 

I hope this checklist for CAS helps you as much as it has helped me over the last 20 plus years. 

Mine is similar, I added gun cart to the list.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

1 minute ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Mine is similar, I added gun cart to the list.

I had to add "moving gun clearing supplies to pickup" after leaving them at home one year.

[Eyesa Horg]

I leave a cleaning kit in my camper!

[Texas Maverick]

12 hours ago, Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826 said:

I use a very special checklist. I feel it has given me a competitive edge at times. In the spirit of the game I am going to share my checklist with you and all reading this.

Buffalo Bill Mathewson’s secret CAS checklist.

1. Long Guns

2. Short Guns

3. Leather 

4. Ammo

 

I hope this checklist for CAS helps you as much as it has helped me over the last 20 plus years. 

no cart

[Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826]

13 minutes ago, Texas Maverick said:

no cart

A cart is a luxury not a necessity. 

[Eyesa Horg]

A cart is a necessity for my old arse!!

Edited September 13 by Eyesa Horg
Missed a word

[Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826]

Carts are not a necessity but are a convenient luxury. This being said, my ammo box is a component of my gun cart if I have my ammo I have my cart. I guess I should add a qualifier to my original post for those that need the extra help.

[Eyesa Horg]

And if I have my cart, I have my leather!

[Texas Maverick]

23 hours ago, Buffalo Bill Mathewson, 37826 said:

A cart is a luxury not a necessity. 

not for this old man. no way could I carry everything that I have in my cart without it.

 

TM

[Eyesa Horg]

Plus I don't see myself just lying my guns in the sand while doing Posse work!

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

On 9/11/2025 at 7:22 PM, Sixgun Seamus said:

Nothing. It's a monthly match with a whole lot more people.

I'm with @Sixgun Seamus on that. Maybe throw in a few extra breakdownable parts to keep me out of Boomstick's trailer.

 

Double check any prescription drugs you need. If you forget them, emergency refills start at $10.00 per pill.

 

Shortcake brings her checkbook collection.

 

[Doc Moses]

On 9/11/2025 at 7:28 PM, Texas Maverick said:

I graduated HS in 1968 from Western Heights HS and this was one of our favorite spots to go as a family. It always had great food and service. I go every time I am in OKC.

 

TM

Graduated from Souteast OKC 1981  great steakhouse and great city.  I love to go back when I can!