Sharpshooter event (for us to old to hold a musket without a rest)

[devisser]

For what it is worth I would like to see if there is any interested in a Sharpshooter event. Many of us still enjoy shooting blackpowder Civil War Musktets, but do to age, etc. would enjoy being able to shoot our trusting weapons using a rest. I realize there is no time for any new events at the Nationals to add another event, but was wondering if there was any interest in a "bench rest" style event. This is not to be confused with the Long Range shooting, but a "sharpshooter event" where we would be allow to use a rest (Cross stickes).. The events would be at 50 yd and 100 yd ranges. The event would keep older and handicap shooter interested in N-SSA programs, but allow the use of a rest.
Just a thought to keep our older members active and maybe attract new members as well. You would still have to belong to a unit and be a member of the Association, but have an event for many of us who are reaching the age where our body does not work as well as it did 25 years ago. It would be historicaly correct as sharpshooters were used with great effect on both sides.
Yes, many questions would have to be defined, but if we could keep it simple, (muzzle-loaders only) I have a feeling there is interest in the association to have such an event. We need to attract new members as well as retain the interest of our older members. Income is income and if the N-SSA could created more interest, so be it. For the good of the N-SSA and for the enjoyment of the membership.

[Greg Ogdan 110th OVI]

If it's a Sharpshooter event, why shoot at 50 yds? How about shooting the 50 yd Musket target at 100. Why limit it to muzzleloaders. Why not let anything we shoot in team events shoot? Just a thought.

[Ken Hansgen, 11094]

Strength is not the only problem we older folks face. Eyesight is another serious problem, so the younger folks would still have an edge.

[John Holland]

Ken - No problem with the youngsters.....you will just have to prove you're a minimum of 65 years old to participate!

JDH

[devisser]

I suggested to limit the type of weapons to muzzle-loaders to keep the event within the scope of N-SSA rules. Same for the distances (50 & 100 yd event). There are other places to fire cartridge weapons. However, if there was the interested in added different classifactions..that is good. I don't want to organize another division within the N-SSA. Just was thinking of trying to keep some of our older members shooting and enjoying the fellowship at the Fort.

[John Holland]

Bob -

Breechloading Rifles & Class 2 Carbines are within the scope of the N-SSA's rules.

JDH

[Eggman]

I think this is a GREAT idea --- favor it for an individual event. I would like to see it unrestricted in terms of all approved N-SSA firearms and approved sights. I think we would enter the 100XXX arena which would add a lot of fun (six bull target at 50 yds?). Don't forget that Berdan specified Sharps rifles for his men. Cross sticks only -- put it out on the far right of the line.
I much prefer this to practice targets. Practice at home.

[devisser]

This is great! Keep the ideas flowing. Maybe after the dust settles we can put our ideas on paper and at somepoint present a solid plain before the board at some point. I have no problems with Single Shot classes and Carbine II firearms being used. I kind of wanted to keep the 45-70's etc. out of the mixt . Following the rules, any weapon made before April 1865 would be allowed. (This would enclude the sights as well).

[hp gregory]

keeping the senior shooters in the game is something that often gets overlooked. if you did this you would have to think about a number of things. the same people who may have trouble shooting offhand will most likely have trouble with siting cross sticks. siting down shooting isnt as easy as it may look. standing sticks may be the way to go. or you could have a portable bench set up on the far end of the line and make it a bench match. as for targets. they would have to be large enough to be seen. but score hard enough so that the match isnt to easy for the shooter or to hard on the scorers. at friendship we shot the 100yd bull at 50 and 100yds. these targets score the same as the 50 yd musket target. they just have one more ring black at 50 yds and two more rings black at 100yds to make them easier to see. as for line space just one position would most likely handle the number of people shooting the match in the begining.

hp

[Eggman]

Got to thinking about this --- rather than setting up those ugly shooting benches offhand shooters all hate, how about building some shooting positions using large boulders, fake boulders or what-not, and set up sharpshooter positions that look just like the real ones that were found at Devils Den, Little Round Top, etc.. We could build comfortable sitting/shooting positions within each to accomodate anyone with physical limitations. They could be made to look really cool and might become a great PR draw. Just a thought.

[ian45662]

Make a fence

[rachbobo]

Will there be handicapped parking and racks to place our crutches and spaces for wheel chairs ?
Naa, I'll tough it out and show these younguns how to shoot.

Bill Cheek
Cockade Rifles

[Eggman]

I got it -- forget it

[norman horne, 12321]

Bill Cheek, you are my new best "hero". You are the first person that I can remember to get a response from Eggman to "forget" anything. Let's see how long it lasts!

Egg, don't forget to bring your BB gun to Statesville this week-end. Norm.

[Michael Bodner]

Norm,

Don't be silly. Eggman is WAY too tall to fit in with the BB gun crowd. That plus the razor stubble...

-Mike

[Charlie Hahn]

Thinking through this, and the purpose of keeping older members active, or those who are working through challages, I would offer for discussion the following.Rather than establish an event, (Sharpshooter), establish a class that runs in the normal scheme of things during any given Skirmish, (Hospital Corps, or Home Gaurd). If it is a fence, or walking stick, or crutch it is a detail that can be worked out. What would be needed is an area that provides parking, a bathroom, mini range house, and some aids to help with target material.By establishing a class, it wil have a qualification process as we already have, and fit into any normal Skirmish.Entry into the Corps would be elective, and provide a way to compete in the Sport we all enjoy. Being the "owner" of an aging Skirmisher who looks for ways to shoot with dignity, I believe this is something we should offer to allow these Skirmishers to Solider on.I am not sure who has the ball to move this to some form that can be debated, but I would be willing to be part of some planning group to outline the qualification, plan an area, and help in any way that could bring this to a meaningful class that allows this become real.Charlie Hahn

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

Charlie, What a great idea. I like the way you are looking at it. Remember, anybody can suggest new shooting venues, but it must be presented to the board of directors by a regional commander to go anywhere.

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

We have been shooting an unofficial sharpshooter event for quite a few years at one of our Western Region skirmishes. In our case, we built a nice old time split rail fence "redoubt" on a wooded knoll overlooking the range. Firing is done at about 250 yards at both paper and steel "dinger" targets. Most of our winners have been armed with the Sharps rifle, but we have had Spencers compete, along with almost every sort of Civil War rifle, and even one guy with a Maynard carbine. It is a relaxing event which we fire at the end of the day Saturday until almost dusk.

This is an unofficial "demo" event only, which the Association has been gracious enough to permit us. We allow the use of all N-SSA approved arms, plus pre-1865 externally primed sporting arms known to have been used for sharpshooter work. Everyone who shoots it really has a good time.

Jim Leinicke
7368V

[John Holland]

I had the opportunity to view some of the photos of that event on Face Book. It looked like everyone was really enjoying it! We have to "think out of the box" now more than ever before. Congrats to the WR for doing just that!

JDH

[Eggman]

I really like the fence idea. How about two classes, regular member and senior (over 60) member, the latter to include anyone else with a physical handicap. I'd like unlimited approved firearms 50 and 100.

[Ken Hansgen, 11094]

When I used to shoot on the Left Coast, we shot small steel chicken silhouettes at 50 yards, pigs at 100, turkeys at 150 and rams at 200, as I recall. What a kick they were!! They'd clang and fall down. (Shortcoming is they must be set up again.) Otherwise, I also like the Westen Region's ideas.

[John Holland]

A little farther back in this thread Egg replied, in part, with "How about two classes, regular member and senior (over 60) member....".

In regards to "Seniors" I've become painfully aware of an ever increasing disturbing phenomenon...."Seniors" aren't what they used to be! I am a true "Baby Boomer", having been born after Dad came home from the Air Corps and WW2. When I turned 50 suddenly the AARP declared me to be a "Senior". Restaurants, and various other sundry establishments jumped on the band wagon offering discounts to the "New Seniors" in an effort to increase business. This went on for a few years until these establishnents discovered that there were literally millions upon millions of us in that age generation and they were losing too much money on discounts. So, what did they do? They began bumping up the age requirement to be considered a "Senior"! It went from 50 to 55 in a couple of years, staying just ahead of the majority of the "Baby Boomers". When that massive group reached 55 it became 58, and then to 60, and on to 62, and now it is 65+ in many places, hotels, motels, eateries, etc. The reason? We have retired and are traveling and taking advantage of "Senior Discounts" everywhere we go....and there are still too many of us.

The Official requirement to be a "Senior" in the N-SSA is, and always has been, 65 years of age.

Just my observations from the "Senior" side of things!

JDH

[Maillemaker]

I'm a youngster at 42 and a newbee to N-SSA shooting at only a year and a half, but I think the idea of "handicap" shooting is a great idea! Everyone gets old, folks, or at least the lucky ones do. And the longer you can stay active in a hobby you love, the longer and better you will live.

I like the idea of a "sharpshooter" class.

Steve

[Jim Leinicke 7368V]

Like I said, the 114th Illinois has been running a 250 yard, "over the fence" sharpshooter event at our skirmish for years now, and age of competitors does not seem to be a factor at all. I think old Emory Morgan of the 14th Mississippi won it one time, and Emory must be at least 106 by now. He looked 96 then. His arm was a rusty ol M1863 musket that his pappy had picked up from some dead yankee somewheres or another, and it had a broken wrist. This match was designed for tired old folks in the first place, and as everyone knows age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill anyhow.

Jim Leinicke
7368V

[mserio]

Ha!! Jim, Emory may challenge you on his age!!! I believe the phrase is "aged to fine maturity"!!

Mike Serio
14th Mississippi Regiment