Looking to get into CAS

[Civil War Life]

I am new, first post. Looking to get into CAS. I have shot Civil War Black Powder in NSSA for over 40 years. I am a museum director in Fredericksburg, VA and an authentic tintype photographer. I like to bring my cameras and portable dark room equipment to events. Mainly want to shoot BP guns. Any info on CAS groups or events in my area appreciated. Thanks

Terry

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I also just got started.  However, I am in California and found one close to me.  Try this link from the SASS website and check on Virginia and you should be able to find a club close to you.

     http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/index.php

[Deadeye Don]

I am new, first post. Looking to get into CAS. I have shot Civil War Black Powder in NSSA for over 40 years. I am a museum director in Fredericksburg, VA and an authentic tintype photographer. I like to bring my cameras and portable dark room equipment to events. Mainly want to shoot BP guns. Any info on CAS groups or events in my area appreciated. Thanks

Terry

With your impressive credentials, I would think that NCOWS would be more appealing to you since we focus on the historical aspects of the old west and not just the shooting aspects.   http://www.ncows.org/
You might even be interested in coming to our National Shoot in Evansville, Indiana in June.   There is an NCOWS forum on CAS City where you can ask specific questions.  There are many knowledgable and friendly people there that can answer your questions.

[Thomas O'Hawk]

The Link to SASS was a good lead but I wanted to take the extra step of pointing you towards the Pepper Mill Creek Gang that shoots in King George, VA at the Northern Virginia Gun Club http://www.northernvirginiagunclub.org/.  You don't have to have a membership at the Gun club to shoot the match.

They have shoots on the 4th Sunday of each month.  I too am new to this group and plan to attend my first match this month.  The Calendar link at the above webpage shows the shoot and organizer.

We look forward to seeing you there.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I am not from your area, but if you want to drive up to Thurmont MD, there is a terrific club up there.

http://www.tcandsc.org/tcscCowboyMatches.htm

Every year they host the Northeast Regional in September. It is a terrific three or four day event.

I just want to join the others in cautioning you. Sometimes we get newcomers from the historical re-enactment community. Sometimes they are disappointed because the Single Action Shooting Society is not a group based on historical accuracy. SASS is pretty much about shooting matches based on the fantasies we lived as kids watching cowboy movies from the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and what we watched on TV. Most shooters in SASS do not shoot Black Powder, and many shoot very light loads so they can shoot fast. Nothing wrong with that, that is where the sport has gravitated. But there are some of us who do shoot heavy Black Powder loads in SASS, just as they were shot in the 1880s. If you want to come shoot Black Powder, you will be more than welcome. Just don't expect every body else to be doing so.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Civil War Life;  You sound like NCOWS would be a good fit.  Check out their pages in this forum.  The nearest posses seem to be 1. South Carolina, and 2.  Eastern Kentucky.  That didn't bother me, I live in British Columbia, and have never actually met another NCOWS member.  The online interests and the magazine THE SHOOTIST are worth it for me.  When I shoot locally, it is under SASS rules. 

signed;  "An Alone Ranger"

[Trailrider]

Don't be discouraged about SASS' adherance to historical accuracy.  You can be as historically correct or not as you please. There are a lot of different catagories to shoot in, and you'll find a plethora of guns and characters at these matches.  Personally, I shoot Ruger Old Model Vaqueros with smokeless powder as I seldom have time to clean my guns right after each shoot.  But I dresss as a cavalry officer of the Indian Wars period, and considering the loosey-goosey dress of both officers and enlisted men in the field in those days, you can adhere to regs or not (not even Gen. George Crook wore a uniform on campaign), so long as you don't show up in sneakers, combat boots or a "Shady Brady" hat, you'll do fine.  You can shoot cap-n-ball sixguns, and either a M1860 Henry (though the modern ones are all central fire), or even a Spencer (original or replica).

Welcome to the campfire, Pard!