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By Jim Faulkner aka Long Jim Handcock
Assistant Range Master
Under clear skies and a pleasant breeze, 125 competitors dressed in their boots,
hats, and period-correct 1880's cowboy clothes, vied for awards at the 17th
Annual "Shootout at Saddle Butte" Cowboy Action Shooting match near Shedd. The
Oregon Old West Shooting Society sponsored the event held August 18th through
the 20th, 2006, which is a shooting discipline of the Albany Rifle and Pistol
Club.
The three day event had entrants from as far away as Texas, as well as,
Washington, Nevada, Idaho, and California, shooting a twelve stage two day
match, using single action "colt" style revolvers, lever action rifles, and
double barrel shotguns, at steel targets arranged in scenarios depicting scenes
from western movies. There were twelve stages in the course of fire, along with
long-range target shooting with Sharps-style buffalo rifles and "cowboy trap" in
the offering for side matches.
The theme for this year's match, was the 1987 western comedy "Rustlers'
Rhapsody" starring Tom Berenger. Competitors loaded their pistols and rifle, and
went to the firing line, a line from the movie was said, the timer buzzed, and
the shooter engaged the steel targets, while moving along a prescribed avenue of
fire. Their final score is based on their time shooting each stage, with
five-second penalties assessed, and added for each miss, as well as any ten
second penalties for shooting the stage out of sequence.
There were many couples shooting the course, and categories for women, as well
for younger shooters were offered.
Competitors dressed in authentically styled 1880's-style garb, from hats,
scarves, and vests, to wrist cuffs and spurs. The ladies, dressed in mostly
hand-sewn Victorian dresses, with the occasional "working cowgirl" ranch attire.
Cowboy Action Shooting participants use an "alias" rather than their actual
name, in order to add additional color to the "cowboy" character they portray.
An array of American flags lined the course, as well as a 40' x 60' tent that
was provided for dining, and meetings. Approximately 39 RV's circled the tent,
and several vendors sold reproduction 1880's clothing, leather goods, and
shooting accessories to the competitors.
The club sponsors the event annually, and next year, will host the Oregon State
Championship for the first time, with an estimated 250 shooters to compete. One
wishing more information about Cowboy Action Shooting, or the Albany Rifle and
Pistol Club should contact Patrick Reagan aka Mid Valley Drifter at 541-259-2774
or email: MidValleyDrifter@outdrs.net.
