Frederick Jackson Turner

https://www.sassnet.com/uploads/downloads/cowboychronicle/2024/AprilChronGO2024.pdf Cheers! FJT

I rather liked the match. The target distances were reasonable, with a trio of rifle targets that were a legit challenge... Both the target distances and the target spreads were greater than cowboy matches, and for all the concern about "cowboying my WB Match..." only five shooters shot it clean. A couple of the stage descriptions were rather complex, and there were two stages which allowed/encouraged, running with two guns simultaneously - in the middle of a shooting string. Not too crazy about that. I thought it was quite encouraging, especially given the shroud of mystery surrounding the architect of the match. As always, the all KD stage was popular, and there were a few stages which allowed the pistol to be employed in lieu of the rifle, which I really like. I have to admit, most of the in-it-to-win-it shooters used .38/.357 rifles, although distances and knockdowns kept that from being as big an advantage as they might have hoped. Everyone else shot what they had. There were no SxS shooters on my posse, but I believe I did see at least 1 1887. Good for them! Removing the politics from the match, I liked it, and would give it a solid "B." And would be glad to shoot the likes of it again. Hope that's helpful! Cheers, FJT

Want to give a shout out to Ramrod, Barb Wire, and 'Zona, (and anyone else I might have missed!) for another terrific WB match at Cowtown. Fun, challenging stages, great folks, and a good time! Sorry I had to jet early to get to the show, but I was glad to give you all a shout out on the air. Hope to make it again, next year! Cheers, FJT

I'd like to come to this match. Which WB rules will be in place? I'd like to bring along the proper kit! Cheers, FJT

How was the match? Cheers, FJT

I had the misfortune of breaking my Les Baer Premiere, two weeks ago, on the eve of the Nevada State Wild Bunch Championships. A quick phone call to Les Baer netted a brief but very enjoyable conversation with Les Baer, himself, (seriously? he's got nothing better to do than answer questions from some yahoo out in California?) and I overnighted the pistol back to them, in Iowa. It was returned to me at no cost, in as new condition, in three days. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am, with both the 1911, and that level of customer service. Nevada State WB was a challenging match, and my freshly repaired Les Baer performed brilliantly. I can't imagine another manufacturer doing that, in that time window. Look; I get that computers crash, BMWs break down, and even space shuttles blow up. It's what happens after that that matters. Very pleased, Frederick Jackson Turner

No preference here; just looking for a good shooting match. That said, I understand the desire to have mercy on match directors...$$$$ Cheers, FJT

Brushed off the last of the jet lag, shaken off the remnants of the 10 day hangover, rinsed out my clothes, and ready to get back at it. Question: given the difficulties of obtaining firearms and associated kit which far exceed ours, why is European Wild Bunch doing so well, especially compared to the US? While I have my thoughts, I am open to suggestions. Cheers, FJT

Duly noted; should have read "Outside the US..." 😉 I was more than a bit impressed by the % of Cowboy shooters who chose to participate in WB. Especially given how much more difficult to access any firearms, let alone those specific to our game, in Europe. If WB at Eot had that kind of turnout, the match would have about 275 entrants... Cheers, FJT

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 Championships. I'll be writing an upcoming article for the SASS Chronicle, where you can get more details, but for now, here are the highlights. The event was limited to 360 shooters, and it still sold out in under 24 hours. Shooters from ELEVEN nations were present. Sadly, there was only one American on hand. Still, 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 the US. And, incidentally, that is nearly 40% of the shooters at the main match, who wished to participate in the Wild Bunch match. It is far harder for them to acquire Wild bunch gear there, than here. And yet, they outnumbered us in attendance and participation. WHY??? 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! Cheers, FJT

A million thanks to Tully for picking this up, so that the most populous state in the union can have a state WB Champinship! In addition, I've attended his matches, and they are the best, most fun, and challenging WB matches I've ever seen. Pencils down. Period. Tully, if I'm not in the Antarctic, I'll be there. Cheers, FJT

Hi, Zolas; After trying a Les Baer, (and watching Silvertip shoot one!) I (pardon the pun) bit the bullet, and sprung on one. I could not be happier with my purchase. Prior to this, I was using a very nicely gone over Remington R 1, which worked just fine. But, with the Baer, there IS a difference. Once in a while, when I went to the line with the Remington, I'd see distant targets, and hope I would hit them. With the Baer, I KNOW that if I get a good sight picture, I will get a hit. I 'm not any faster, but I'm a lot more confident. Honestly. You will have to get it resprung if you are shooting less than industry standard loads. YMMV, but that is my experience. Cheers, FJT

Boggus; That looks GREAT! Very interested in installing one of these in my Model 12. Cheers, FJT

Having written all the stages and submitted them to our Range Safety Committee....I have been offered ONE MORE of the following, to add to any one stage. Have you any preference? Texas Star/Dueling Tree/Plate Rack. As I said, they are only offering one. Thoughts? Cheers, FJT

California State Wild Bunch 2023 MAIN MATCH: 10 Stages: Round Count: Pistol Rifle Shotgun 21 7 6 14 10 6 21 10 6 28 7 5 14 10 6 21 10 6 28 07 7 21 07 2+ 21 10 5 28+ 0 8 217 + P 78 R 57 SG NOTE: There are several stages where the shooter may elect to use the 1911 in lieu of the rifle, so if you choose to do so, please adjust your ammo count accordingly. There will be a chronograph station, and shooters will be selected at random, or by challenge. Side matches: Speed Rifle: 7 Speed Pistol: 14 Speed Shotgun: 6 Team Shoot: AMAN Speed Pistolero Stage: 6 Top Gun shoot off: 21P/10R/5SG All Categories will be honored, plus OPEN Category for OPEN Shooters. These will not be scored against the main match, but offer an opportunity for shooters who may not have the necessary caliber firearms, to run a match and see how they like Wild Bunch!

Hey Tully; There will be free dry camping at the range, with enough room for 20-30 camping vehicles. There are no hookups, but there are indoor toilets for two genders. The road in is partly unpaved, but in very good condition, suitable for any motor vehicle. You will be about 12 minutes from an urban area which can provide most other needs. Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers! FJT

The club site does not feature electronic sign up yet; sorry. But, this year it's in sunny Southern California, and it'll be a good time for all! https://panoramasportsmansclub.org/ Cheers, FJT

Due to a number of concerns about the match, and the club concerns about the current state of Wild Bunch, I think it sadly prudent to cancel the match at Panorama, at this time. Stay tuned; there may be later events in the state of California. With regret, Frederick Jackson Turner

Winter Trail? 😮 End of Range? 😮 Halp!!! Cheers, 😉 FJT

Plans are coming together for this match. We have five bays reserved, several clubs have offered to make certain that we have plenty of steel and reactive targets, and we are working on getting the application up and posted in the next week or so. Mark your calendars~! Cheers, FJT

Hey, all; SASS has graciously approved the move to Southern California; the California State Wild Bunch Match will be held on My 20 & 21 in Sylmar, California, at the Panorama Sportsman's Club, longtime home of the Northfield Raiders. We're giving Tully and his crew a year off; he'll be back at the reins in the future. It'll be hard to hold a candle to the excellent job that he and his crew do, but 2023 promises to be fresh and exciting, and in Southern California! For those of you unfamiliar with my chops, I ran the Wild Bunch matches at Wes Thompson's Range for half a decade, and have most recently been honored as a California Wild Bunch Ambassador. It'll be hard to fill Tully's shoes, but we're going to do our darndest.. Mark your calendars; more information as we solidify our plans! https://panoramasportsmansclub.org/ Cheers, FJT

This was a great stage, and Silvertip burned it down. Great match, Tully. Cheers, FJT

Glad you liked the show - Les is a very cool, down-to-earth guy, and he turns out a great product. And, do not use pillows for any purpose other than lawful ones! Cheers, FJT

I know, it was just a side match, but there were so many signups that they had to split up into three posses - that's pretty close to 40 WB shooters - about 1/4 of the total entries for the state cowboy match - on a windy Thursday afternoon! I guess if you build it, they will come! And the Cajon Cowboys could not have been more helpful or accommodating. Delighted to be a part of it. Cheers, A delighted FJT

Two of the best gunsmiths I know have widely divergent opinions of Winchester vs. Chinchester '97s. One vastly prefers to work on American made Winchesters, as the parts are better made and fitted. The other prefers the Chinese guns, as the steel is more consistent than the 59 year span of the American made guns. Make sure they lock up tight and eject cleanly. Chinese guns with coil spring left hand shell holders shouldn't need replacement as often. And Model 12s are far simpler internally, and have far less to go wrong... Cheers, FJT