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This page was last updated: May 16, 2012
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Update 5-16-2012
From Palewolf Brunelle and the Rules Committee. Please Read!
The 170
The 170º rule, by definition, DOES NOT always apply to/from/at the loading/unloading tables.
This is due to the wide variations in range/stage setups...it does on some ranges, if they are on a common firing line with the stage itself
(e.g. LT/STAGE1/ULT..LT/STAGE2/ULT...).
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(Note: The 170-degree safety rule means the muzzle of the firearm must always be straight down range +/- 85 degrees in any direction. If a competitor “comes close” to breaking the 180-degree safety plane, the 170-degree safety rule has been violated, and the competitor is at fault.)
SHB p.24/RO1 p.19
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170º Safety Rule - means the muzzle of the firearm must always be pointed down range +/- 85 degrees in any direction.
RO1 "Glossary of Terms" p.30
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J) Once the stage begins, the Timer Operator stays within arm’s length of the competitor until the stage is finished. The Timer Operator then immediately announces the stage time to the shooter. Only after revolvers are holstered and long guns are action opened, muzzles pointed in a safe direction, and the shooter is heading towards the unloading table does the Timer Operator, declare “Range is Clear” and conveys the time to the Score Keeper in a loud, clear voice.
RO1 p.8
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4. “Muzzle up” Please move to the Unloading Table” should be stated at the end of a shooting sequence. Often the competitor stops thinking—after all, his shooting problem is finished! He simply needs a gentle reminder of what to do next.
RO1 p.13
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2. Long guns will have their actions open with chambers and magazines empty and muzzles pointed in a safe direction when being carried to and from the designated loading and unloading areas for each stage.
...The muzzles of all long guns must be maintained in a safe direction (generally “up” and slightly down range), even when returning to the unloading table.
RO1 p.15
The "problem" seems to be the parenthetical "generally "up" and slightly down range" as a definition of suggested "safe direction"...
It should be obvious that the reference to "slightly down range" applies primarily DURING the stage engagement...if the muzzle of a firearm is pointed straight UP during the 'course of fire' (i.e. @ 180º), the shooter is in violation of the 170º rule.
Once the stage has ended & the shooter is headed to the ULT, there are often personnel DOWNrange (e.g. setting targets/picking brass)...at that point, "slightly downrange" might not necessarily be a "best practice" (depending on range/stage layout).
COMMON SENSE should be used to determine the safest direction to point muzzles when moving from the LT to the stage & from the stage to the ULT.
UP has already been determined to be considered acceptable.
The PRIMARY consideration is to avoid SWEEPING anyone with the muzzle of ANY firearm at ANY time.
Overloading the Rifle
NOTE: Published in the "Cowboy Chronicle" July 2011 edition - page 55
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Overloading the rifle
... Overloading a rifle on a stage is not a safety issue. The safety comes into play if the shooter has any rounds left in the rifle after he/she has fired the rifle and committed to the next gun. Then, and only then, a safety shall be issued if a live round is left anywhere in the rifle.
Should the shooter realize that they have loaded too many rounds and safely ejects those rounds, it’s a no call.
Should the shooter fire more rounds than called for in the stage, it would be a “P” for using ammunition that was illegally acquired....
Wild Bunch mandate
What’s the Call?
Application of related existing rules/penalties
Stage calls for 9 rounds in the rifle. Shooter loads 10 rounds at the loading table.
Whats the call if:
1. Shooter shoots 9 rounds and ejects the 10th round…safely restages rifle “open & empty”.
NO CALL – NO MSV penalty for overloading – Rifle is considered “safe to leave shooter’s hands”.
2. Shooter kicks out the first round and then shoots the next 9 rounds.
“P” + miss (use of “illegally acquired” ammunition)
3. Shooter shoots 5 rounds, then kicks one out, and then shoots the next 4 rounds.
“P” + miss (use of “illegally acquired” ammunition)
4. Shooter shoots 9 rounds then puts down open rifle and then shoots the next gun.
MSV for an unfired round remaining in long gun action or magazine
…or…
SDQ if round is chambered (e.g. lever closes when restaged)
Here are the applicable rules used in determining the penalty for use of a "preloaded" replacement round in a rifle:
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Ammunition required for reloads during the course of any stage must be carried on the shooter’s person in a bandoleer, cartridge/shotshell belt loop, pouch, holster, or pocket or be safely staged as required by stage instructions. ......Leather belt slide ammo loops are acceptable; …
SHB p.11
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The penalty for using "illegally acquired" ammunition (i.e. NOT carried to the line/staged by the shooter in an approved manner) will be a PROCEDURAL. Any targets hit using that ammo will be scored as MISSES.
NO adjustments will be made to the stage raw time.
SHB pp.21 & 25 – RO1 p. 21 – RO2 p.6
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24. Ammunition dropped by a shooter in the course of reloading any firearm during a stage or “ejected” from any firearm is considered “dead” and may not be recovered until the shooter completes the course of fire. The round must be replaced from the shooter’s person or other area as required by stage description or if the round is not fired it is counted as a missed shot.
SHB p.24 – RO1 p.19
Additional Q&A:
1) If you load too many rounds in your rifle it's a no call but ONLY if you kick it out AFTER you have fired all the rest of the rounds in the rifle?
YES. If a round is 'kicked out'/ejected DURING the rifle shooting string (as opposed to at the END), the 'extra round' is there to replace it.
Rather than rely on a "judgement call" as to the shooter's INTENT (i.e. was the rifle overloaded on purpose or not?), the rules regarding "illegally acquired" ammo can be applied in ALL circumstances where the 'extra' round is used.
NO PENALTY for overloading.
The following existing rules STILL apply:
"P" + miss for use of ANY 'extra' round(s) preloaded in the magazine at the loading table to replace ANY that are ejected during the rifle shooting string.
MSV for leaving rounds in the rifle at the end of the shooting string (shooter has until FIRING the next gun to clear it)...or...if the rifle is the last firearm used on the stage; it must be cleared before leaving the shooter's hand(s) @ the ULT.
SDQ if an extra round ends up in the chamber (e.g. rifle returned to scabbard & the lever closes)
A “Spirit of the Game” penalty would NOT be appropriate as there is no advantage in getting the 15-second penalty (Procedural + Miss) for intentionally ‘overloading’ in anticipation of ejecting a round during the rifle shooting string.
2) If a shooter fires the extra round.... Shoots the 9 targets, and dumps the extra round into the back of the bay. What is the call? Is it a "P" for firing 10 rounds when the stage called for 9?
YES...according to the WB mandate. The round MAY NOT BE FIRED to clear the rifle.
NOTE: This is NOT the same as loading 2 in a shotgun and firing one (or both) at a target or firing the "extra" round downrange. The shotgun is generally NOT "preloaded" at the loading table.
Decocking
As it refers to the following rules re: DE-COCKING:
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7. De-cocking may not be done to avoid a penalty if cocked at the wrong time, position or location once a round has gone down range. NO gun may be de-cocked on the firing line except by pointing it down range and pulling the trigger or while under the direct supervision of a stage officer/Timer Operator.
The penalty for de-cocking is a Stage Disqualification.
SHB p.23 / RO1 p.16
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"Under the direct supervision" requires the TOs acknowledgement in an instructive or affirmative manner.
In other words there must be a positive indication to the shooter that the TO is giving his approval for the shooters action.
Age Based Categories
The AGE BASED CATEGORIES ARE:
Cowboy (any age)
Wrangler (must be 36 and up)
49er (must be 49 and up)
Senior (60 and up)
L/Senior (60 and up)
Elder Statesmen (70 and up)
Grand Dame (70 and up)
L/Silver Senior (70 and up)
Silver Senior (75 and up)
Buckaroo/buckarette (13 and under)
Young gun/Junior (14-16)
The REST ARE ALL SHOOTING STYLES
Duelist
Classic
S/Duelist
B Western
Gunfighter
L/Gunfighter
Senior G/F
You may be of any age in these Categories except
S/Duelist
Senior G/F
Black Powder Categories
Frontiersman (any age)
Frontier Cartridge (any age)
F/C Duelist (any age)
When is a Double Shotgun Closed?
If it requires manipulation of the top lever to open it, it's CLOSED.
Otherwise it should "fall open" freely when picked up by the pistol-grip/wrist
Long Range
"Range finders", or any other devices for calculating distances or sight adjustments are not allowed. Their use constitutes a side match disqualification."
Open Long Gun
Actions of long guns will sometimes close after ejecting the last empty (either completely or partially) upon restaging...depending on the surface of the prop (e.g. shag carpet/rough lumber) and/or the orientation of the firearm as it is set down. (particularly if the gun is "slid" onto a table/window ledge/wagon seat/&tc).
This is something that the shooter needs to be aware of during the stage and that the RO's need to watch for.
If a shooter is called back to open a firearm with the action NOT completely CLOSED, it is grounds for a RESHOOT.
Lever position MAY be an indicator of action condition, but the rule must be applied to ALL action types...including pump long guns ('97's and Lightnings); as well as SxS shotguns.
Determining the Overall Match Winner in regards to Buckaroo/Buckarette Competitors
The rule to consider at all times when formulating a match that is both fair and consistent for all competitors, in stage design as well as scoring and determining the "winner" is to ask the question: "Did everyone shoot the same match?"
Can a Buckaroo/Buckarette win a match overall? YES! As long as he/she shoots the same match as everyone else! if they choose to compete for the Overall Title.
To clarify:
* Buckaroo/ette Category Champions: When competing in the Buckaroo/Buckarette category, the shooter is "vying" for the Category champion title, hence, competing against others in that category who are following the same match specs, requirements, and shooting scenarios with the same expectations for performance (ie, the knockdown target doesn't have to go down, it only has to be hit).
* Buckaroo/ette Overall Match Winner: When a Buckaroo/Buckarette chooses to compete for an "Overall" Match Title, particularly at the World Championship level, that shooter is competing with all shooters, regardless of age. All target and scenario engagements must be met with the same expectations for performance with no advantage at that level. If the Buckaroo/Buckarette chooses to compete for the Overall Title, the shooter must inform the match officials and shoot the match accordingly. If the stage/scenario calls for a knockdown, the target must be down to count, aerial targets must be engaged, reloads taken at the line, etc.
Until now, there has been no official clarification, current rule, guideline, or restriction for determining the OVERALL Match winner at a SASS Sanctioned match in regards to Buckaroo/Buckarette competitors at the State, Regional, National, or World Championships as SASS Sanctioned matches.
SASS takes the above stand in regards to determining the Overall Champion at the World Championship Level, END of TRAIL.
~Misty Moonshine
B-Western and Suspenders
Palewolf ruled that suspenders were allowed on the gun-belt, not on the pants
NOT allowed on pants...OK to hold up the gun/ammo belt.
