Crisis of Conscious - should I change shooting styles

[Sespe Badger]

Background:  I got into this game knowing I would never be the best.  I will never have the time or resources to dedicate to reaching the top.  I decided to try for the max fun factor instead.  To me that meant shooting black powder rounds, gunfighter style.  I don't know why, but a gun in each hand just screams, "cowboy" to me.

I am used to placing last at my local club shoots.  All the other competitors there take this game seriously.  I am the only BP shooter there, and the only gunfighter.  I enjoy being different.

Update:  I have now shot my second "big" match.  The first was a BP only match, so I was among friends.  I placed in the lower 3rd.  But this one was a major event, with some really great shooters there.  They didn't have a FCGF category, so I shot gunfighter. 

Overall, I came in the bottom 25%.  Now, I could claim part of this was because it was a total-time match, and I had one terrible stage where I had to give up 5 misses with a pistol (my own fault).  But the fact is I'm slow at GF.  Full-power black rounds don't help.  I'm sure if I shot frontier cartridge using both hands I'd be faster. 

I was positive that I was only in this for fun.  But I keep coming in near the bottom, and it hurts.  So I guess I do have a competitive spirit. 

What path do I take from here?  Do I stifle my competitive instincts and remind myself about how much fun I had?  Or do I change styles and try to be more competitive, realizing that I will never be the top shooter?  Giving up BP is not an option.

Which path would you take?

[Russ T Chambers]

I've been playing this game for about 19 years now, and about 14 of them have been frontier cartridge.  I'm still trying to prove you can miss fast enough to win!   
We just had our 13th annual 2 day match, and I came in 42 out of 51.  I still do it for the fun, and have let any competitiveness  rub off on others!        Makes it easier to sleep at night at a major match!

[Adirondack Jack]

You CAN lighten loads and still make the "smoke rule" and make yer one-handed shooting a bit easier.  I shoot duelist, and have been shooting 120 grain .45s, smoky or smokeless.  They ARE faster than heavier loads, especially when shooting duelist.

[Angel_Eyes]

Funny you should be thinking about changing styles, so was I, but the other way!! Most of my British compatriots have Nitro converted cylinders, (ball, nitro and shotgun primer) in their percussion pistols but I like the traditional, so I get the occasional stoppage which drops me down the list. If I go gunfighter I can excuse my lowly position!!

[Noz]

I started shooting modern with a pair of 41 mag Black Hawks. After about a year I began to become competitive. Top 15% or so. I changed to FC with a pair of Remington 1858s. FC because I shot 2 handed. Generally placed in the top 50%. Now I'm to Frontiersman with 1860 Armys. I place near the top of Frontiersman but in the bottom 25% over all.
What's my point? I dunno. Maybe different strokes for different folks?
I'm happy where I am. Struggle all the time to try to improve my standings in Frontiersman. I recognize the limitations I have placed upon myself by my choice of weaponry and am happy with that. I only get down when I know that I(not my guns) have done poorly.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Go for the fun.  It'll always be there.  Then, if you do well, it's an added bonus.  Double the fun, as it were.

[Roosterman]

Heck, jump over to frontier cartridge for the next shoot and see how you like it. I usually shoot frontiers man, but just shot FC in the last match. Had a great time, felt like I was shooting at light speed! But in actuality I only moved up a couple places from my usual near dead ass last. It don't matter, it's all fun. I know it's nice to win, but that is never going to happen in my case, I'm just too slow. So, I set goals of small improvement , such as shooting a clean match, steadily improve my time a few seconds over the previous shoot, etc. As long as I'm shooting BP I'm having fun, no matter what category I'm shooting in, or how fast I'm shooting.

[Dick Dastardly]

Since I've always shot the Holy Black and I've only shot GF from the git go, I can feel your pain.  SASS is slowly coming around to our way of thinking and I'm finding more and more matches for FCGF.  I am starting to get wood now and then when FCGF is offered.  When it's not, I ask for it anyway.  That way clubs know there is interest.

Changing styles is fun, but don't give up GF.  That way you increase your options.  It's the true GF way.  Don't give up the fun either.  Wood and belt buckles can't replace the fun of doing it your own way.  Viva la difference!

You could try a new hat. . .

DD-DLoS

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I started shooting double duelist. I was in the top 95%. I switched to shooting with a two-handed hold (for some reason they call that traditional but in my opinion, duelist is more traditional but that isn't the issue here) to learn to develop more speed. After a few years, I went back to DD again to re-learn how to use the sights better. Then I switched back again to traditional hold to see what stuck. What I found was that by switching shooting styles, I learned something more each time and my fun factor increased. By switching, I developed a little more skill each time.

So, what I'm suggesting is that you try different styles and such to develop your skills. Don't worry where you are in the overall standing, just strive to beat your own shooting each time. For me, as long as I'm improving, I'm having fun. So, over the last 8 years, I've gone from almost dead last to the upper 10%. Yeah, for me, being competitive does have a bit of a draw, not so much as being able to come in first, although I've been close, but in my own improvent over my own scores and standing in the overall placement. By practicing stance, hold, sighting, grip and such, I've improved slowly but continuously. Some style changes slowed me down, but I stayed with them long enough to see a difference. I even shot one of our yearly matches with only one of my '58 Remingtons and a couple cylinders to switch on each stage. That slowed me considerably, but it was a lot of fun. It doesn't matter if you shoot BP or not and it doesn't matter what others are doing, just work away at your skill level. Try shooting fast and hang accuracy. Then shoot slow and see if you can clean a match. Compete against yourself. If you get stuck, try something different until you learn something more. Put some fun into it by seeing what works for you.

[Arcey]

Heck of a pard shot all kindahs stuff. Usually full loads of Black Powder outtah them manly .45 Loonnnnnggggg Colts. Always finished towards the bottom.

Got ta talkin' ta me one day 'bout shootin' sumthin' a l'il more sensible for the game, he knew he was a better shot than where he was finishin'. I knew he was too.

The ole boy got himself killed in a traffic accident before he did it. Before he took the chance ta try. I miss 'im bad.

Wanna change shootin' styles, do it. Ain't no million dollar prizes fer finishin' a position higher than ya did the month before. Ain't no cowboy or ole west character gonna come back ta life 'n shake yer hand fer doin' it they way they did. A month later ain't no one gonna remember or care where ya finished anyway.

Shoot what ya want. Have fun. Full Black outtah .45 Looooooonnnnnnngggggg Colt or sissy l'il ole .38s.

Ya want wood or certificates, PM me 'n we'll see what we kin arrange. Hang it on the wall 'n yer a winner. Should be well worth the cost.

Go ta the shoots. Be with pards, shoot what ya want 'n have fun.

[Major E A Sterner]

I'm with Arcey on this one, do what is the most FUN for YOU. If you stop having fun, you will more than likely give up CAS. So Go for the fun and You may surprise yourself some day and place well in your catagory. Besides, If you're having fun and enjoying yourself, You're already a winner.

[Arcey]

Wear his shirt proud, Maj.

[Col. Cornelius Gilliam]

Howdy,

I view CAS as fun and recreation - I get paid to work so I can pay the bills and go have fun with whats left!!

I'm also a competitive person, so for me, being competitve is fun - to a point.

I've drawn my own personal lines of how far I want to go to be competitive:

I shoot FC (two hands)
I shoot 38-40's with a full case of blackpower (approx 33 to 35gr depending on brand), no subs.
I shoot a standard weight bullet for the caliber (0.401 caliber - 180gr)
I shoot a double barrel hammer shotgun.
I do not shoot a short stroked rifle.

If I changed some of the above (mainly caliber and amount of powder), I could shoot faster.  If I shot smokeless, 38's, and a 97, I would go much faster.

But I'm having fun trying to be as fast as I can with my self imposed restrictions, blowing as much smoke as I can, while still trying to beat the smokeless 97 shooters!

On a very good day, with a little wind for visibility, the satisfaction of placing high or winning the overall in a monthly match with full power blackpowder loads is awesome!  That's my idea of fun!

Each person needs to find whats fun for them.  That's what makes this sport so great.

[Major E A Sterner]

Wear his shirt proud, Maj.

Arcey, I have it packed for Heluva Rucus, the NY SASS championship this weekend. I'm sure it will bring me luck

[Dalton Masterson]

Change up what your doing every match or 2. I shoot black most of the time, either in frontiersman or frontier cartridge DOUBLE duelist (I know, no such class ). I regularly change up shooting styles, just for the fun of it.

I am usually in the middle of the pack, and could be towards the top if I switched to traditional and light loads. I do not choose to do that, as its much more fun to shoot fast with full cases of black. It really makes the "top" guys wonder.

About once a year, I will go to a match and shoot traditional, and frankly, its boring compared to making fireballs and smoke clouds.

If I were you, I would give FC a try, maybe use 45 Schofield in your pistols, and just have fun being you. Good luck. DM

[Paladin UK]

I reckon ya gotta go with what makes ya .............. HAPPY!!

I used ta shoot  BP in my pistolas BP in my Scattergun `n` Nitro   in my .45LC  #92. I used ta finish in the top 4.

I decided that iffn I wanted ta be a TRUE WORTHOG I needed ta  shoot ONLY BP in ALL my Guns. 

Sooooooo I (After a LOT of R&D) found tha answer to shootin a rifle with BP in .45LC  and now I shoot ONLY BP.
Doing this has Sloooooowed me up a hell of a lot `specially on days when that ol smoke dont clear `tween shots!!

Bottom line.....
I`m the ONLY one in our posse that is a True `Lord of the Soot` Plus the PURE JOY I get from seein those flames n` sparks emmittin from the muzzles of All my smokepoles puts me in 1st place fer bein the kid what aint quite growed up yet!!

YEHAWWW!!
Paladin (What lurvs the Holy Black  ) UK

[Cuts Crooked]

Pard, do wat trips yer trigger the bestest!

I was state champion my third year into this game, thought I was going to keep on going and make a big splash in the CAS ocean. Then I had a stroke followed by a couple of ticker attacks. Suddenly I ain't the competitor I once was. (HELL, it took me almost a year to learn to hang onto my irons again after the stroke) And you know what...it don't seem that important now. I'll never be the greatest and I don't really care anymore. I do what I enjoy and let others do what they enjoy.

Sure, its nice seeing yer name up near the top! But life is too important to waste time striving for something unless you REALLY want it! DO wat ya ENJOY!

[Sespe Badger]

I had fun the whole time.  It wasn't until I saw the scores that I didn't have fun.  I tell myself not to worry about it, but I do.

[August]

My experience is similar to yours.  I shot for about a half dozen years and finally got tired of making goofy mistakes and forgetting the procedure for a stage.  I decided to take the game more seriously.  I now think that was the respectful way to approach the game -- attempting to do the best I could, given my limitations.  I used to think that people who shot fast and accurately were gifted somehow.  That they had some kind of innate ability that I didn't possess.  Or, that their physical limitations were fewer than my own.

One day at lunch, with our dear departed friend Ol' Deadeye, I said that my arthritis had gotten so bad, I was going to give up SASS.  He looked at me with his one eye, no legs, missing thumb, and damaged forearms and said, "I can see how having all ten fingers might get in your way."  Not another word was said.  Half-way home, I decided I would give it everything I had for as long as I might.  Started studying.  Watched Gene's tapes until I could recite them.  Took classes.  Slicked up the gunz and got better ones.  Practiced in my living room.  Made some steel plates and practiced at the range.  Went to at least one match per week.  Practiced some more.  That's what I've done for two years now.  Watching evil roy got the fundamentals -- I was amazed that after attending matches for six years, there was so much that I never noticed about how good shooters did what they did.  Taking classes revealed the bad habits that I never would have figured out on my own.  Practicing allowed me to (slowly) develop new habits.  Going to more matches allowed me to practice the real game of action shooting, which is all (100%) mental.  I would continually get distracted.  I would let others interfere with my mental preparation.  I would beat myself up when I made mistakes.  I would get angry for days when I made the same stupid mistake time after time.

After a year and a half at this, while getting much better and faster, I was still asking the experts how long this process might take.  They would only answer me with the same question -- "how much are you practicing?"  Gradually, very gradually, I learned what to think about and focus on.  Gradually, the mechanical errors that were constant started to be solved.  Gradually, the number of misses got fewer.  Very gradually, the days started coming when train wrecks were no longer a part of my match experience.  Eventually, clean matches were occasionally happening.  Eventually, getting through six stages without losing concentration was possible (this took some attention to diet and hydration).  Eventually, people started remembering my name at matches.  Other shooters' attitudes toward me changed -- mostly for the better.

Having gone through this process allows me to suggest a reason for you to also do it.  There is a psychological place of complete calm and focus to be found in cowboy action shooting.  The game, as I said, is ALL mental.  Finding this place has greatly enhanced my life, not just my shooting.  There are, to be sure many paths to this place of focus, purpose, and relaxed awareness, but cowboy action shooting is where I found it.  It's funny, but the real thing I've achieved has nothing to do with gunz and I had no idea that the payoff for all that practice would be this gift.  I had no idea!!!!

I have severe arthritis.  I used to play professional guitar and now cannot even hold a guitar.  I wish I could shoot gunfighter, but it would no longer be safe for me to attempt it.  I think it is the most beautiful approach to our sport, in a physical sense.  If I had your ability, I would surely continue on with perfecting the gunfighter way.  I do shoot black powder and think it is more fun than smokeless -- though I really can't tell you why.  It has something to do with the smoothness and pace of it.  Black powder is just a much more organic approach to shooting than these modern, high-pressure approaches.

I usually finish in the top five percent overall at club matches and hope this is the year that I start to see some first places at big matches in category.  But, those are not the true measures of success in our sport, I have learned.  The true measure of success, is getting in the car, at the end of the day, and knowing -- deep down -- that I shot as well as I possibly could, without getting in my own way, while treating everyone around me with positive regard.  I've had some matches like that recently, and they are worth the price one must pay to get good at this sport.

You can grow, or you can go.  You cannot sit still in this, or any other endeavor.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to put these things down in writing.  Peace be with you.

[Ransom Gaer]

Do what you want and enjoy it.  Life is to short to be unhappy and especially doing something that is supposed to be fun.

I shoot in Frontiersman mostly.  Occassionally I will shoot Frontier Cartridge Duelist for a change and to expercise my cartridge revolvers.  They need exercise to stay healthy just like we do.   I don't particullarly pay attention to my scores and don't worry about where I place in the standings.  I shoot for the pleasure of it.   Now when I win my category and I am actually comepeting with other people I do enjoy the win.  It is fun.  But that is a side benefit.  when I was younger I use to race sailboats some with my dad, our attorney(family friend) and a friend of mine from the age of 3 through high school(still friends almost fifty years later).  I was VERY competitive then.  I had a definite attitude.  As far as I was concerned if we weren't there to win, then why were we there.  Winning was EVERYTHING to me.  And at times I was a real SOB.  I have learned to temper that and enjoy the game as best I can within the limitations I have set for myself.

I really don't have a place to practice regularly(live fire) nor the time and couldn't afford it if I did have the place and time.  I don't have a short stroke kit in either of my main match rifles.  I am not convinced that for the average shooter they help that much.  I think skill and practice are probably overall more important.  As August said this is very much a mental game.  At Winter Range in 2006 on one stage I was shooting my '66 and because of the weather conditions the BP smoke wasn't dissipating, it just hung in the air.  I was finding that as the smoke built up I was having to slow down some so I could sight properly.  Short stroke was of no use under those conditions for me.  It was actually an interesting stage because of this.  That is something else I look for. Interesting challenges in the stages.

So I will continue to make as much smoke and flame as I can at matches and enjoy myself imensely.  See ya at the range.

Ransom Gaer