Rifles of the West

First Saturday of the month, April through October

(Some matches may be canceled due to conditions**)

Match fees are $10.00 per shooter

Sign up starts at 9:00 AM with first shots fired at 9:30 AM

This is a rifle only match, no handgun or shotgun. It is for rifles of

the "cowboy era" (generally defined as the years between 1865 and

1900). Competitors generally use two rifles for the match - a "rifle

cartridge rifle" such as .45-70 Govt or .38-55, and a "pistol cartridge

rifle" such as .45 Colt (long Colt) or .357. Period costume is welcome

but not required.

Rifles are limited to originals or reproductions of pre-1900 cartridge

rifles found in the western US, Mexico, or Canada. Any firearm that

is visually similar to an original may be used. Ammunition is limited

to cartridges that were in use prior to 1900 (except as noted below),

caliber .25 or greater, loaded with lead alloy bullets only, either

plain base or gas checked. Jacketed bullets are NOT allowed. The

following cartridges developed after 1900 are also allowed: .32 H&R

magnum, .38 special, .357 magnum, .41 magnum, .44 magnum

and .375 Winchester. Other exceptions might be made prior to the

match - call the match director prior to the match if an exception is

required.

Sights are limited to open iron sights, or tang mounted peep sights.

Globe front sights are OK. Receiver sights or optical sights of any

kind are not allowed. Spotting scopes and coaches are allowed

during sighters but may NOT be used during for-record portions of

the match.

Cross sticks or shooting staffs may be used in any stage of the

match but are not required. Two of the four stages are shot from the

sitting position. The shooter may be seated on the ground, a stool,

hay bale, or any seat that does NOT support his back. Slings may be

used but no shooting mitts, sling cuffs, or shooting coats are

allowed.

The course of fire consists of two stages shot at 200 yards with the

rifle cartridge rifle, followed by two stages shot from 100 yards with

the pistol cartridge rifle. Sighters will be allowed before each stage,

but please arrive ready to shoot with small adjustments for wind

and conditions based on your sighters. Do not expect to find a 100

or 200 yard zero with a rifle you've never fired before with 5 or even

10 sighters.

The first stage of the match is fired from 200 yards with the rifle

cartridge rifle from a sitting or kneeling position and cross sticks.

Rounds must be loaded and fired one at a time. Targets are 20 inch

diameter steel plates. Time may be allowed for sighters if any

shooter requests them. Ten rounds will then be fired in 10 minutes

for score. The stage winner is the shooter with the most hits on

steel. If there is a tie on steel, paper targets will be used for a 10

round shoot off and the highest score wins.

The second stage is fired from 200 yards with the rifle cartridge rifle

from a standing position and cross sticks. Rounds must be loaded

and fired one at a time. Targets,

again, are 20 inch diameter steel

plates. Time may be allowed for sighters if any shooter requests

them. Ten rounds will then be fired in 10 minutes for score. The

stage winner is the shooter with the most hits on their plate. If

there is a tie on steel, paper targets will be used for a 10 round

shoot off and the highest score wins.

The third stage is fired from 100 yards with the pistol cartridge rifle

from an offhand position (standing with no support). This is a rapid-

fire stage with the shooter trying to score as many hits in as little

time as possible. This stage is 5 rounds with each participant

shooting individually so that shots can be timed and hits can be

verified. Targets are usually 20 inch plates (one or many) but we

sometimes use silhouette animals or plates smaller than 20 inches.

Sighters are available on request.

The final stage is fired from 100 yards with the pistol cartridge rifle

from a sitting position with cross sticks. Magazines may be loaded

with up to 10 rounds or rifles may be single loaded. Targets are 20

inch steel plates. If there is a tie for first place after the steel, the

shoot off will be on paper targets for the highest score.

​

** Matches may be canceled due to heavy snow or rain on match day,

or because of a muddy range floor. Contact the match director the

night before, or early on match day to find out whether the match is

on or canceled. If the match director has your contact information,

he will contact you in case of cancellation.

Match Director: David Stibbards

Cell: (720) 380-3503

Email: stibbsd@gmail.com