The Competition
|
|
The Competition |
|
|
Old West Action Shooting is a fun shooting sport in a safe environment that measures both speed and accuracy. The firearms used in the competition are replicas or originals from the time frame of 1865 to 1899; in other words, the guns that tamed the Old West. Competitors use revolvers, rifles, and shotguns to work their way through various scenarios. Lead bullets only are shot at steel targets. Each competitor is timed while shooting a scenario. The competitor’s end time is the seconds it took to shoot the entire scenario plus 5 seconds for each missed target and 10 seconds for procedurals. The competitor with the lowest score wins. What do they win? Bragging rights, of course! There are several categories competitors can compete in and are described in detail below.
|
|
Monthly matches are made up of six shooting scenarios. Scenarios can be based on an historical event or completely made up. The story in the scenario adds to the ambiance and takes the shooter back to the Old West. Each scenario will indicate how many rifle, revolver, and shotgun rounds will be needed to complete the stage. There may also be instructions as to what order the targets should be shot and what lines are to be said. Stages on the range are made up of Old West town fronts.
Each of the categories is offered in men’s and women’s classes unless stated otherwise.
Smokeless Shootist: Shooters may use smokeless powder and may fire handguns using a two-handed grip.
Blackpowder Shootist: Shooters must use black powder or black powder substitute in all firearms. Handguns may be fired using a two-handed grip. Pump shotguns may NOT be used in this category.
Smokeless Duelist: Shooters may use smokeless powder. Handguns must be fired using a one-handed grip.
Blackpowder Duelist: Shooters must use black powder or black powder substitute in all firearms. Handguns must be fired using a one-handed grip. Pump shotguns may NOT be used in this category.
Smokeless Gunslinger: Shooters may shoot handguns both at the same time if stage allows. Must employ "double duelist" shooting style (left hand - left pistol, right hand - right pistol). No cross draw rigs allowed. No "butt forward" holstering rigs allowed.
Blackpowder Gunslinger: Same as smokeless gunslinger except shooter must use black powder or black powder substitute in all firearms.
49er: Open to those age 49 years-of-age or older. May be shot with smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip.
Senior: Open to those age 60 years-of-age or older. May be shot with smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip.
Senior Duelist: Open to those age 60 years-of-age or older. May be shot with smokeless or black powder. Hand guns must be shot with one-handed grip.
Statesman: Open to men 70 years-of-age or older. May be shot with smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip.
Grand Lady: Open to women 70 years-of-age or older. May be shot with smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip.
Junior: Open to those age 14 to 17 only. May use smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip.
Country Gentleman : Open to men 80 years-of-age or older. May be shot with smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip.
Pistoleer: Shooters must use percussion revolvers, exposed-hammer double barrel shotguns, and pre-1873 (reproduction or original) pistol-caliber rifles. Shooters must use blackpowder or blackpowder substitute in all firearms. Hand guns must be shot one-handed.
Range Detective: Shooter uses two pistols and a rifle. May use smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip. This category will be scored separately from the other shooters because a different course of fire is engaged.
Working Cowboy/girl: Shooter uses one pistol and a rifle. May use smokeless or black powder. Hand guns may be shot with one or two-handed grip. This category will be scored separately from the other shooters because a different course of fire is engaged.
“Spirit of the Game” to those of us that compete in Old West Action Shooting is our “Code of the West.” It is an attitude towards how we compete. Competing in the Spirit of the Game means to participate fully in all respects: fully dress the part, compete with firearms adhering to the rules and regulations, and complete the course of fire as the writer intended. “Spirit of the Game” means doing your part to help your posse out when you are not shooting. In other words, “Spirit of the Game” and good sportsmanship is one in the same.
Each shooter is timed while completing a scenario. Five seconds is added for each target missed. If the targets are shot out of order or a gun is shot out of order, a 10-second procedural penalty is assessed. Time+Misses+Procedural=Total Score. There will be a winner in each category as well as an overall winner.
At the range, we are stepping back into the past; therefore, we dress the part. Competitors are to dress in appropriate clothing from the time period 1865 to 1899. Many competitors derive as much, or more, fun from their attire as they do the shooting! New shooters to the sport are given time to get their attire together; however, no one can compete in ball caps, t-shirts, tennis shoes, short-sleeved shirts, or shorts—that’s just not the cowboy way!
