Diamond Jake Posted June 2 Posted June 2 (edited) A recent TG clarification says that side matches will follow all SASS rules. The Long Range rules on page 31 of Shooters' Handbook say this about spirit levels on sights: - Front barrel sights may vary from simple blades to period hooded wind gauge designs using interchangeable sight inserts and having a spirit level mounted integral with the sight or sight base. My question: is it legal to have a separate spirit level mounted in the slot formerly used for a buckhorn rear sight? I know this is legal in BPCR matches, but before I spend over $60 for one I want to know if it's legal in SASS side matches. Also, the handbook says that you can use any powder type in all classes except Buffalo Gun, which must be Black Powder or BP Substitutes. However, I've shot at several State matches and even Land Run, where the rifle single shot category had to be smokeless. Maybe this will change going forward. Edited June 2 by Diamond Jake Quote
Cholla Posted June 2 Posted June 2 My question is: will your eyes be able to focus on the front blade and the rear bubble level? 4 Quote
Griff Posted June 2 Posted June 2 I am no rule guru... but a spirit level mounted in the rear dovetail wouldn't be integral with the front sight... unless, that's where you mount your front sight! Where there's a will... there's a way! 2 1 Quote
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted June 2 Posted June 2 (edited) 2 hours ago, Diamond Jake said: I've shot at several State matches and even Land Run, where the rifle single shot category had to be smokeless. So, that category was a very inclusive one, "Single Shot". As such, it was not the specific "Buffalo Single Shot" category which requires a black powder type of propellant. See the Handbook, page 31: Quote Any propellant powder may be used (with the exception smokeless powder is not allowed in the Buffalo Single Shot competition). If you are feeling left out because they would NOT let you shoot black powder cartridges in the Single Shot Rifle category, I can understand the disappointment UNLESS they made that restriction known to you before you entered the side match. Even more fair, before folks TRAVELED to the major match. good luck, GJ Edited June 3 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 1 Quote
Frontier Lone Rider Posted June 2 Posted June 2 I like to shoot Long-Range Matches in all of the various categories. I have had the spirit level on the front sight on my 1885, but have never seen it while trying to shoot as fast as I can. All I see is the front sight. Quote
Diamond Jake Posted June 3 Author Posted June 3 2 hours ago, Cholla said: My question is: will your eyes be able to focus on the front blade and the rear bubble level? The process is you set your rifle into your cross stick rest, take a quick look at the spirit level to be sure you're not canted, then do fine tuning your hold on target and send it. 1 Quote
Diamond Jake Posted June 3 Author Posted June 3 1 hour ago, Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 said: ... If you are feeling left out because they would NOT let you shoot black powder cartridges in the Single Shot Rifle category, I can understand the disappointment UNLESS they made that restriction known to you before you entered the side match. Even more fair, before folks TRAVELED to the major match. good luck, GJ I contacted the match authorities ahead of time, so I knew I had to prepare. But my smokeless loads have a very different trajectory than my BP loads, so not only did it take twice as long to work up the loads at home, at the range I had to re-adjust my sights between classes, which takes time and is inefficient. I still did very well in both categories, but it would have been nice to just show up with a box of identical rounds, set my sights, and shoot both classes. I don't see that as an advantage over the guys who just shoot the smokeless. Quote
Diamond Jake Posted June 3 Author Posted June 3 2 hours ago, Griff said: I am no rule guru... but a spirit level mounted in the rear dovetail wouldn't be integral with the front sight... unless, that's where you mount your front sight! Where there's a will... there's a way! The rule says it's OK to have the level integral to the front sight, but it doesn't specifically say that that's the only way to have one. Just wondering. Quote
PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L Posted June 3 Posted June 3 27 minutes ago, Diamond Jake said: The rule says it's OK to have the level integral to the front sight, but it doesn't specifically say that that's the only way to have one. Just wondering. "Any firearm modification not specifically referenced in this Handbook is prohibited." SHB p.33 SECTION 6 – FIREARM COVENANTS / ALL FIREARMS 6 3 Quote
Frontier Lone Rider Posted June 3 Posted June 3 13 hours ago, Diamond Jake said: The process is you set your rifle into your cross stick rest, take a quick look at the spirit level to be sure you're not canted, then do fine tuning your hold on target and send it. I only shoot at one club that allows cross sticks or a rest. We shoot standing, off hand. 1 Quote
Diamond Jake Posted June 3 Author Posted June 3 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Frontier Lone Rider said: I only shoot at one club that allows cross sticks or a rest. We shoot standing, off hand. We might have an off-hand match (or off-hand tie breaker) in the near future. The matches I've attended have had a "Precision Single Shot Rifle" class that allows any type of rest, and a "Buffalo Single Shot Rifle" class that uses cross sticks and Black Powder. As in my earlier post, some have simply "Smokeless Single Shot" and "Black Powder Single Shot". Both allowed rest of choice. One of the things I like about Long Range is no two matches are exactly alike. One State match I've attended the last three years has been different every year. Edited June 3 by Diamond Jake Quote
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted June 3 Posted June 3 Just a thought but, the level being inside the hood keeps the sun from causing glare. Which makes the level useless. I shot a number of long range side matches over the years. Each club sets "their" rules. There are no standard LR rules. Except SASS rules about the rifle itself. One of the worst was a club had standard distances they shot all year. They didn't tell us the distance. And there were no sighters. Guess who won the side match? 1 Quote
Lucky R. K. Posted June 4 Posted June 4 19 hours ago, irish ike, SASS #43615 said: One of the worst was a club had standard distances they shot all year. They didn't tell us the distance. And there were no sighters. Guess who won the side match? I ran into this same situation at a state match once. I told the match director that was not something that was done at a respectable match and that I would never be back at that range. I haven't. Lucky 😁 2 Quote
Tyrel Cody Posted June 4 Posted June 4 (edited) On 6/2/2026 at 8:02 PM, Diamond Jake said: I contacted the match authorities ahead of time, so I knew I had to prepare. But my smokeless loads have a very different trajectory than my BP loads, so not only did it take twice as long to work up the loads at home, at the range I had to re-adjust my sights between classes, which takes time and is inefficient. I still did very well in both categories, but it would have been nice to just show up with a box of identical rounds, set my sights, and shoot both classes. I don't see that as an advantage over the guys who just shoot the smokeless. Seems like a great excuse to buy a 2nd rifle…. or third… or fourth… Edited June 4 by Tyrel Cody 2 Quote
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