EOT Wild Bunch 2025

[Boggus Deal]

32 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

I get this is an entertainment business but I sure hope WB doesn't get dumbed down to the point where it is SASS with a 1911 because of how EOT unfolded..

It’s already going there… Hell, there has been a push for a number of years to go back to 5 in the magazine. 

[Frederick Jackson Turner]

I am watching the evolution of Wild Bunch with a great deal of interest, as I enjoy it as much (and maybe more than...!) Cowboy Action Shooting.

Evolution does not reward that which is best; it rewards that which is best suited to survive, given a certain set of conditions at the time.

I was intrigued by the match; the abrupt changes made to WB were undertaken to increase the interest in the game, and, given the modestly robust turnout, with a host of new attendees, may have worked.  But I feel like the match itself ran contrary to that ethos.

I shot it, and did reasonably well. But, this is the entertainment business, and, listening to shooters who attended, I heard a few things which stuck with me. 1.) "I was never having any fun.  I was working the whole time."  2.) "It was humbling; perhaps even humiliating, to have one shooter clean the match." 3.) "When the Super Bowl comes around, they don't move the goalposts back another 20 yards."

I'm not sure what the game plan is, but I didn't think it was  a great match.  I respect all the work that went into it, and the workers who made it so.  Also, I will shoot whatever you put in front of me.  But the Fast Guys (and Gals!) will still win, and match organizers might do well to consider the experience they are offering for the 80% who want to shoot safely and just have a good time.

Cheers,

FJT

 

Edited March 12 by Frederick Jackson Turner

[Sedalia Dave]

12 hours ago, Frederick Jackson Turner said:

I shot it, and did reasonably well. But, this is the entertainment business, and, listening to shooters who attended, I heard a few things which stuck with me. 1.) "I was never having any fun.  I was working the whole time."  2.) "It was humbling; perhaps even humiliating, to have one shooter clean the match." 3.) "When the Super Bowl comes around, they don't move the goalposts back another 20 yards."

Those last 2 comments sound like they came from people that have never shot a true WB match.

Makes me think that their expectations were for a SASS match shot with a 1911 and not an action match that required people to actually use their front sight. 

I do wonder about the comment "I was working all the time".   Were the posses small? Were shooters not pulling their weight by failing to step up and do posse chores? 

[CC Moonshine]

13 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

Those last 2 comments sound like they came from people that have never shot a true WB match.

Makes me think that their expectations were for a SASS match shot with a 1911 and not an action match that required people to actually use their front sight. 

I do wonder about the comment "I was working all the time".   Were the posses small? Were shooters not pulling their weight by failing to step up and do posse chores? 

Hi Dave,

Just wanted to point out that SASS is the parent company for both Cowboy and Wild Bunch action shooting. So all CAS and WB matches are SASS matches.

That being said, please understand that as time goes on with Wild Bunch and the number of new clubs and shooters keep increasing, things will probably find a comfortable shift to a center of old school and new school. But in any case it is now in the TG's hands to gear it in a direction. 

My two cents worth are that things are moving in a great direction for the sports longevity, both in CAS and WB. 

 

[Frederick Jackson Turner]

On 3/12/2025 at 10:50 PM, Sedalia Dave said:

Those last 2 comments sound like they came from people that have never shot a true WB match.

I do wonder about the comment "I was working all the time".   Were the posses small? Were shooters not pulling their weight by failing to step up and do posse chores? 

Howdy, Dave;

I am pretty sure they  did believe that they were shooting a true WB match.  It may not have been to their taste. That's a subjective evaluation, to be sure.  They had only shot a few matches prior to this and wanted to see if they would enjoy it as much as their local matches, on the Big Stage.

"I was working all the time" was a reference to the amount of concentration  and effort that the match required.  Once again, tastes may vary, but they didn't feel there were any stages which they could relax a bit and run their gun as easily as they wanted. 

Hope that provides a bit of clarification.

Cheers,

FJT

[C.N. Double]

On 3/12/2025 at 10:14 AM, Frederick Jackson Turner said:

 1.) "I was never having any fun.  I was working the whole time."  2.) "It was humbling; perhaps even humiliating, to have one shooter clean the match." 3.) "When the Super Bowl comes around, they don't move the goalposts back another 20 yards."

 

 

Dang, sounds like a great match. I almost wish I had shot it. Oh well.

[Abilene]

On 3/12/2025 at 12:14 PM, Frederick Jackson Turner said:

... I was working the whole time...

If you are a brass picker for WB, you are working the whole time. 😁  But seriously because I don't know, was EOT WB a lost brass match?

[Flying W Ramrod]

29 minutes ago, Abilene said:

If you are a brass picker for WB, you are working the whole time. 😁  But seriously because I don't know, was EOT WB a lost brass match?

No

[Abilene]

Thanks, Ramrod.  I would assume there were several pickers to keep it moving.  

I heard from one shooter who thought Holy Terror shouldn't have been allowed to win (or shoot?) WB since she is a professional shooter.  Talk about sour grapes!

Also, I heard lots of horror stories about the winds and dust for the EOT CAS match.  Nobody has mentioned that here so I guess y'all had decent weather?

[Flying W Ramrod]

7 hours ago, Abilene said:

Thanks, Ramrod.  I would assume there were several pickers to keep it moving.  

I heard from one shooter who thought Holy Terror shouldn't have been allowed to win (or shoot?) WB since she is a professional shooter.  Talk about sour grapes!

Also, I heard lots of horror stories about the winds and dust for the EOT CAS match.  Nobody has mentioned that here so I guess y'all had decent weather?

As to HT, there is a movement, and sentiment, around about "professionals" in our sport. Just give them a "buckle" and let the amateurs shoot for the win.

I happen to agree.

 

[Boggus Deal]

1 hour ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

As to HT, there is a movement, and sentiment, around about "professionals" in our sport. Just give them a "buckle" and let the amateurs shoot for the win.

I happen to agree.

 

Just how do you define a “professional” shooter? 

[marshal stone]

7 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

Just how do you define a “professional” shooter? 

Someone who makes their living shooting.

Marshal Stone

[Flying W Ramrod]

8 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

Just how do you define a “professional” shooter? 

too easy. One who is paid by a corporation to compete, includes, but not limited to, travel, entry, guns, ammo, lodging.

[Boggus Deal]

28 minutes ago, marshal stone said:

Someone who makes their living shooting.

Marshal Stone

But she’s retired.

[Boggus Deal]

6 minutes ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

too easy. One who is paid by a corporation to compete, includes, but not limited to, travel, entry, guns, ammo, lodging.

So, Scarlett Darlin’ would be a professional? Misty Moonshine or CC Moonshine? All three make their living of off the shooting sports..

[Flying W Ramrod]

2 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

So, Scarlett Darlin’ would be a professional? Misty Moonshine or CC Moonshine? All three make their living of off the shooting sports..

apples and oranges

[Abilene]

3 hours ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

too easy. One who is paid by a corporation to compete, includes, but not limited to, travel, entry, guns, ammo, lodging.

I don't know but would guess that a corporation didn't pay all that for her to go to EOT.  

[Boggus Deal]

56 minutes ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

apples and oranges

How? 
 

[Boggus Deal]

36 minutes ago, Abilene said:

I don't know but would guess that a corporation didn't pay all that for her to go to EOT.  

You would be guessing correctly.

[Silvertip]

Wow I have not followed this for awhile , but as far as I’m concerned Holy Terror should absolutely be able to shoot and compete and win.

She is a very dedicated shooter a great shot and only helps our sport.  This is her hobby as well as everyone else who shoots. I’m trying to be nice about it , but I don’t want a participation trophy.

ST

[Flying W Ramrod]

2 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

How? 
 

Vendors, owners vs competitors. I know a fella that makes model 12 firing pins, should this fella be considered a professional as well?

Edited 14 hours ago by Flying W Ramrod

[Flying W Ramrod]

6 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

But she’s retired.

Nope, still listed

Team Ruger

[Boggus Deal]

7 hours ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

Nope, still listed

Team Ruger

I was on the Lucas Oil shooting team and I never worked for them. She is retired.

[Boggus Deal]

7 hours ago, Flying W Ramrod said:

Vendors, owners vs competitors. I know a fella that makes model 12 firing pins, should this fella be considered a professional as well?

Should he? But that does bring up a good point. Should an owner or manager who influences the rules, therefore the outcome, be allowed to compete? 

[Flying W Ramrod]

2 hours ago, Boggus Deal said:

Should he? But that does bring up a good point. Should an owner or manager who influences the rules, therefore the outcome, be allowed to compete? 

The rules are influenced by the TG's, who, should be, influenced by their club members.

That was a problem with the old ROC. No input from the members. Members who don't have inputs, leave the sport.