Guns Of August 8/12-15/10

9 Wartrace Regulators traveled north to Middletown Ohio to shoot with the Big Iron Rangers. This was the first trip to Guns Of August, The SASS Midwest Regional Match for several of us. I for one hope it won't be my last.

Thursday was side-match day with the usual side matches. Buck Dodgers, Papa Dave, Tombstone John and I shot more than enough rounds for 2 matches and we had a ball.

Friday morning started early for us with a 8 am Safety Meeting. It opened with mounted shooters presenting the Canadian and United States flags and with the playing of both National Anthems. Deadwood Stan welcomed everyone, introduced SASS #1 Judge Roy Bean and then turned it over to Lassiter to go over the Safety Rules.

Smokin' Irons was our Posse Marshall and did an excellent job. Posse 4 was a great posse consisting of Smokin' Irons, Honey B. Quick, Papa Dave, Sheriff Frank Canton, Buck Dodgers, Tombstone John, Goldsmith, Rounder, Lightning Hawk, Buffalo Brady, Jeremiah Longknife, Ida Kno, Velvet Sheath, Justice Lawman, Thunderbolt Hayes and Randy Saint Eagle. Everyone worked well and we had lots of fun.

The targets on most stages, as you can see in the pictures are down hill and in the woods. This was a new experience but I enjoyed it. It was a very scenic range. Sunflower Kid and Slim Jim Dandy had to leave early due to Sunflowers wife having emergency surgery, we pray that she is ok and heals soon.

Friday night we had a meal at the range clubhouse with entertainment by Frederick Jackson Turner. Lassiter presented the Side Match Awards and Buck Dodgers won the Long Range Lever Action Pistol Caliber Side Match .

Saturday we shot in the afternoon starting at 12:30 and we finished just in time to put our guns away before the rain came. It was hot before the rain, mid 90's heat index around 105.

The Awards Banquet was Saturday night at the Manchester Inn. We had a good meal followed by entertainment from Royal Wade Kimes. Then they gave a way some door prizes. Sheriff Frank Canton won a "92 rifle, which made his weekend.

Lassiter did the Awards and here is how we finished:

Randy Saint Eagle, 2nd "B"-Western, 57th Overall, Clean Match

Papa Dave, 1st Elder Statesman, 62nd Overall

Buck Dodgers, 7th Cowboy, 87th Overall

Tombstone John, 19th Senior, 143rd Overall

Louisiana Cowboy, 27th 49r, 229th Overall

Jagged Rock, 29th 49r, 237th Overall

Sunflower Kid, 13th Duelist, 252nd Overall

Slim Jim Dandy, 32nd 49r, 256th Overall

Sheriff Frank Canton, "Don't Ask"

Click Here for complete scores.

I thank God for allowing me to have a good shoot and keeping us safe while traveling.

I shot my new Widdermatic Marlin all weekend and it ran flawlessly. I have to thank Widowmaker Hill for all his work coming up with with a way to make a Marlin run great and for sharing it with anyone who wants to try it (Widowmaker was 3rd Gunfighter and 48th Overall). This was only the 3rd Match for this Widdermatic, but it has now ran 21 flawless stages. Thanks again Widder.

Thanks to Lassiter, Deadwood Stan and everyone involved in making Guns Of August a Great Match. If you haven't been to Guns Of August put it on your list for next year, you'll be glad you did. I almost forgot Sheriff Frank Canton called me down to the hotel lobby Saturday morning and introduced me to SASS #1 Judge Roy Bean. It was a pleasure to meet the man who started Cowboy Action Shooting and SASS.

Don't forget The Regulators Reckoning, The SASS Tennessee State Championship October 7-9 2010 is coming back to Wartrace this year. Click on the State Match link on our Website for more info. Also our next match will be Cowboy/Wild Bunch this Saturday August 21st, for more info check out our Website. Our next Monthly Cowboy Match will be Sept. 4th.

Be safe, shoot straight and may all your bangs end with a clang.

PS Please forgive my picture quality I didn't realize until I got home the setting had been changed on my camera.

Banquet Pictures