2026 Colorado State Championships

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

The Thunder Mountain Shootists are excited to be the host club for the:

 

Colorado - 2026 Single Action Shooting Societies Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch Championships!

"Thunder on the Mountain"

 

Save the date!  Thursday May 14 - Sunday May 17

 

Thursday and Friday will be 5 stages each day (Total 10 Stages) of Wild Bunch action. 

Saturday and Sunday will be 6 stages each day (Total 12 Stages) of Cowboy Action.

Traditional speed side matches and long range (up to 325 yards) will be offered as well. 

 

Schedule and application can be found here:     Thunder Mountain Shootists website

Application is PDF and fillable though electronic payment has NOT yet been activated.

For now snail mail for payment and registration and I will update if that changes.

 

Weather should be mild, lows around 50 and highs up to 80, average around 60. Occasional wind about 8-15mph.

 

If you have a question you can contact me on this forum via PM or through the website.

 

Regards and looking forward to seeing everybody!

    

Gateway Kid

BTT

 

Edited Friday at 03:21 PM by Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life
added info

[oak creek martin]

I guarantee this is going to be one of the best matches around. Great club great leadership. They have always done a exceptional job can’t wait!

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

45 minutes ago, oak creek martin said:

I guarantee this is going to be one of the best matches around. Great club great leadership. They have always done a exceptional job can’t wait!

Just realized this club is only 500 miles away from me; easy drive.

 

So tell me about this shoot.

[oak creek martin]

The club is located in Whitewater, Colorado just outside of Grand Junction just off of the I 70 corridor in Western Colorado. Great accommodations lots of tourist attractions beautiful mountain vistas. The club is run by some very competent and experienced shooters. Great stages. It’ll be worth the drive. 

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Regarding long range, please give distances to be shot, rifles, and whether there will be black powder categories.  Also whether shooting is offhand or off sticks or benches.  I need this information to prepare.

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

1 minute ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

Regarding long range, please give distances to be shot, rifles, and whether there will be black powder categories.  Also whether shooting is offhand or off sticks or benches.  I need this information to prepare.

We are working with Hayfever Hart regarding the long range events. Not yet sure how many will be available but our range goes to 325 yards with a life size buffalo at that distance. Its tie breaker is a compressed oxygen cylinder cut in half that makes a distinctive ring when struck compared to a clang when the buffalo is hit. Targets are in 50 yard increments 50-250 then 25 yard increments to 325 yards. Don't recall the target size but will be measuring in the next week and will post on this thread probably next weekend. Bay has tall berms to both sides and the back of the bay for safety. I am not a long range shooter but have been told the wind needs to be stout to have a significant effect on most calibers. I have not spoken with Hayfever but would certainly support BP categories if the interest is there. We have always used sticks in various configurations and will continue to do so. We will also have haybales for those without sticks. We do not allow laser range finders on match day. We only have a single proper bench available and it is behind our normal firing line so probably will not use. I would expect single shot, lever action, some form of offhand for sure. I can be reached on this thread, via PM or contact info is on the registration form.

Regards

    

Gateway Kid

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

2 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Just realized this club is only 500 miles away from me; easy drive.

 

So tell me about this shoot.

Sent you a PM

Gateway Kid

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

BTT

Gateway Kid

[Flying W Ramrod]

Don't know about the annual but, I shot their Not Annual, Annual, this year.

Great range, great folks, great target setup, great stages.

It's on my list to do both WB and CAS.

If you can go, GO.

[Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326]

On 10/24/2025 at 5:27 PM, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Just realized this club is only 500 miles away from me; easy drive.

 

So tell me about this shoot.

Just Do It!!  You will not be disappointed,

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Creeker, the most direct route (I-15 to I-70) takes you through some of the loveliest scenery of the Colorado Plateau.  Traffic is light and fuel prices are lower than Nevada.  The road trip would be a memorable part to the match.

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

On 10/24/2025 at 1:09 PM, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said:

The Thunder Mountain Shootists are excited to be the host club for the:

 

Colorado - 2026 Single Action Shooting Societies Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch Championships!

"Thunder on the Mountain"

 

Save the date!  Thursday May 14 - Sunday May 17

 

Thursday and Friday will be 5 stages each day (Total 10 Stages) of Wild Bunch action. 

Saturday and Sunday will be 6 stages each day (Total 12 Stages) of Cowboy Action.

Traditional speed side matches and long range (up to 325 yards) will be offered as well. 

 

Schedule and application can be found here:     Thunder Mountain Shootists website

Application is PDF and fillable though electronic payment has NOT yet been activated.

For now snail mail for payment and registration and I will update if that changes.

 

Weather should be mild, lows around 50 and highs up to 80, average around 60. Occasional wind about 8-15mph.

 

If you have a question you can contact me on this forum via PM or through the website.

 

Regards and looking forward to seeing everybody!

    

Gateway Kid

 

 

BTT

[Flying W Ramrod]

My app, and fee, sent in for both matches.

Can't wait to shoot here again.

 

[Singin' Sue 71615]

On 10/24/2025 at 1:09 PM, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said:

The Thunder Mountain Shootists are excited to be the host club for the:

 

Colorado - 2026 Single Action Shooting Societies Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch Championships!

"Thunder on the Mountain"

 

Save the date!  Thursday May 14 - Sunday May 17

 

Thursday and Friday will be 5 stages each day (Total 10 Stages) of Wild Bunch action. 

Saturday and Sunday will be 6 stages each day (Total 12 Stages) of Cowboy Action.

Traditional speed side matches and long range (up to 325 yards) will be offered as well. 

 

Schedule and application can be found here:     Thunder Mountain Shootists website

Application is PDF and fillable though electronic payment has NOT yet been activated.

For now snail mail for payment and registration and I will update if that changes.

 

Weather should be mild, lows around 50 and highs up to 80, average around 60. Occasional wind about 8-15mph.

 

If you have a question you can contact me on this forum via PM or through the website.

 

Regards and looking forward to seeing everybody!

    

Gateway Kid

BTT

 

Hope to get there...it's been too long

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

4 minutes ago, Singin' Sue 71615 said:

Hope to get there...it's been too long

Man, no kidding! You disappear on FB and now my heart ❤️ ❤️❤️is jumping for joy that you might be back. Glad you are doing okay. All the best to you guys, love you both!

    
Gateway

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

I had assumed the State Championship alternated between Montrose & Briggsdale! I guess not! Y’all surprised me. We already had matches scheduled when I found out.

What about next year? Do you know?

Our plans presently include a month in Colorado. Not May, however. 
Advance knowledge of when Colorado State is could change our plans in the future!

I enjoyed the 2 I shot. Another would be nice. But I need a lot of advance info to plan for Colorado!

[Singin' Sue 71615]

2 hours ago, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said:

Man, no kidding! You disappear on FB and now my heart ❤️ ❤️❤️is jumping for joy that you might be back. Glad you are doing okay. All the best to you guys, love you both!

    
Gateway

Did you not friend me again on FB???

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

22 hours ago, Tell Sackett SASS 18436 said:

I had assumed the State Championship alternated between Montrose & Briggsdale! I guess not! Y’all surprised me. We already had matches scheduled when I found out.

What about next year? Do you know?

Our plans presently include a month in Colorado. Not May, however. 
Advance knowledge of when Colorado State is could change our plans in the future!

I enjoyed the 2 I shot. Another would be nice. But I need a lot of advance info to plan for Colorado!

The state match has alternated between east slope and west slope for a while.

The actual host club has changed several times. 
I originally posted in October and now as more information is available I will be updating every couple weeks. 
Next year (2027) will be east slope turn, most likely Briggsdale but that won’t be confirmed till September. 
We chose May to give Montrose time to focus on their “Siege of Old” plus it should be a bit cooler than June. Consideration was also given to September but Briggsdale “Return of the Buffalo” is a tradition on both sides of the mountain. Clubs around here are smaller and as you know it is a big effort to put a big match on so spreading things around keeps everyone energized. 
Would love to have you but fully understand schedule constraints. Maybe next time we can get together!

Gateway Kid

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

My wife does not like dry camping.  I just made reservations at nearby full hookup campground.  Every route between my home and Grand Junction goes through beautiful country.  I'll take two days coming and going so we can overnight in some lovely, peaceful campgrounds.  BTW, I'm bringing a big lasagna for the potluck.

[Singin' Sue 71615]

On 10/24/2025 at 5:27 PM, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Just realized this club is only 500 miles away from me; easy drive.

 

So tell me about this shoot.

Great folks! Fun range.....

[Singin' Sue 71615]

2 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

My wife does not like dry camping.  I just made reservations at nearby full hookup campground.  Every route between my home and Grand Junction goes through beautiful country.  I'll take two days coming and going so we can overnight in some lovely, peaceful campgrounds.  BTW, I'm bringing a big lasagna for the potluck.

The KOA is very close to the range...

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

2 minutes ago, Singin' Sue 71615 said:

The KOA is very close to the range...

That's where I booked.  There were only two standard, full hookup sites after I booked, but plenty of premium (overpriced) sites left.

[Flying W Ramrod]

24 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

That's where I booked.  There were only two standard, full hookup sites after I booked, but plenty of premium (overpriced) sites left.

I'm traveling light so I got an Air BnB. Cheaper than a hotel and all the comforts of home without pulling my trailer.

[Singin' Sue 71615]

2 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

That's where I booked.  There were only two standard, full hookup sites after I booked, but plenty of premium (overpriced) sites left.

We stop in there and fill with water

... and on our way out to dump...around $15

I hope we get to shoot the match with you!