A CAS competitive Spencer

[Bead Swinger]

Hi All
We've been shooting in NW PA for a couple years, and they have been pretty tolerant; No squeaks about 'slow'; Heck, I'm slow with a pistol sometimes. Occasionally they cough (from BP smoke) and comment that they could use more folk wearing different clothes and shooting the real stuff. 

I think we're the oddities, though. My pard shoots 45's with full BP loads, and my .44R's are full BP loads; By Spencer standards, my rifle loads were bordering on "Mouse Farts," considering they were only 33Gr BP behind a 400gr ball. The real Spencer "Mouse farts" were the time I tried Trail Boss - Those were so slow they pancaked on the targets - I was collecting and handing out flat bullets as souveniers.

Unless someone makes up stages where you have to shoot 21 rounds from a rifle (now that would be REALLY fun... Especially with an Evans! ), I don't think the Winchester-style shooters will ever understand the value of a Spencer.  The same could be said with the value of the S&W's over the Colts - the value is not seen until you have to shoot 10 rounds in succession instead of just 5.  But aren't there SASS rules against reloading guns on the clock?

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I just went to observe my first match (still waiting on holsters; I'm that new). But I was welcomed with warmth, and although there did seem to be some emphasis on speed and competition, the overalll ____ of a rainy muddy day was that they were there to have fun.

When I shoot at the next match, it will be for fun with probably non-competitive weapons. Although I will keep my Navy Arms Schofields, the Model 34 Winchester and Baikal 12 ga SXS 926.5 " barrel) will probably become backups as I can save for more appropriate weapons.

I know that there is a Spencer in my future. But with a fixed income, my next weapon purchases will have to be something that will be one of those 'purty' guns that are spoken of somewhat disparagingly in this thread.

But eventually there will be a Spencer in my gun rack at home, and it will be shot in SASS. Probably not a 56-50, but a round more available off the shelf. Unless I really get hooked and start reloading...... *S*

And concerning the River City Regulators (CA)  .... I feel blessed to have them so close. Sacramento seems to have  slowly shoved all skeet/trap & rifle ranges to the periphery of the county .....  to have such a friendly and welcoming group so near is just a bit of nice.....

[Tuolumne Lawman]

RCR is a great club.  That is where I shot my first match 15 years ago!  Still a great club.  While they have speed, they seem to keep spirit of the game.

As to the value of the Spencer, I used to regularly, (with both the original 1860 56-56 and the Taylor's 56-50) shoot the half sized buffalo 275 yard gong at Ione, CA OFF HAND!  I would hate to be Civil War cavalry, hostiles or bad men in the old west facing a Spencer.  With a 375 to 350 grain bullet, it still has awesome thump at that range, and you still could hear it hit and see it move! In a period of single shots and front stuffers, it was awesome!