August 29-31, 2002

HE UPRISING at SWEARING CREEK (formerly known as the SASS North Carolina State Championship) was a match I almost skipped this year. Not because I didn't have a great time last year (I did), but moreso because of the arrival of The Boy. I figured, "Ahh, I'll just save the money and not go." Plus, I'd just come off six weeks of Paternity Leave and then had taken a 10-day vacation down to Key West, so I wasn't sure my boss would look kindly on my taking another couple days off so soon (though as it turned out, he didn't mind). However, Stinky Jim convinced me to sign up and I did so.

Thursday, August 29
I wasn't sure what Pixelwiz and The Boy were going to do all the while I was at the match. We couldn't put shooting glasses and earmuffs on a two-month-old, and Salisbury isn't exactly a bustling tourist town with lots to do ... but Wiz wanted to come along anyway. I'd arranged with my friend Deputy Gene (SASS #22954) for the loan of his guncart, so I wouldn't have to pack the nice big cart my Dad built for me... that left plenty of room in the Explorer for all the Baby Stuff we brought along. Before we could leave, though, we had a "baby massage" class to attend. By the time we hit the road, it was a little after 11 a.m. and all I really wanted to do was get to the range before 3:00 to pick up my shooter's packet. We made fine time traveling, and arrived at the Rowan County Wildlife Association shortly after 1:00 p.m. This year, the side matches were not included in the match fee, and there really weren't any that interested me. The "Cowboy Clays" side match from last year wasn't offered; I don't have a prayer at any of the "speed" events; I hadn't arranged to join up with any of my pards for a "team" shoot; Wiz wasn't equipped for us to try the new "Couples" event; the old Model 1892 Winchester needs its barrel recrowned, so it would be useless in the Long Range Rifle shoot; I don't own a single-shot rifle (yet); So, after talking with some of our friends, we cruised down to "Vendor's Row" where I used my door prize ($25 in merchandise from Hoghead Threads) to buy a leather badge holder. Then we drove to the hotel and checked in. We had dinner with a buddy of mine, Coachman, stopped to pick up some snacks, then went back to the hotel and called it a night.

Friday, August 30
The Opening Ceremonies and Safety Meeting were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. It was a cloudy day, rain threatening, but mercifully cool. By 8:30, we'd formed up in our posse (#9) and got ready to shoot. Several of my friends were shooting with me (Salvador Dally, Red Cent, Jack B. Nimble, Sixgun Smith)) and by virtue of my high badge number (#40208) I was in the last shooting slot on my posse. (as I was last year). We were paired with posse #10, and rotated the shooting order on each stage, so I wasn't always the last shooter on a given stage, which was nice.

the Uprising at Swearing Creek 2002 group photograph
photo by Pixelwiz

Jack B. Nimble was kind enough to offer an invite to Pixelwiz to go to his house and hang out with his wife, Jill B. Quick which gave Wiz and The Boy something to do that afternoon besides stay at the hotel or wander around town.

It never really did "rain" on us this day — though the mist did get a little heavy at times — and was quite a pleasant day, shooting-wise. I missed once on each of my first two stages, twice on another one, but shot three of 'em cleanly. I thought I might actually have a pretty good match. Of course, the next day we shouldn't have been shooting — we needed to be helping Noah build his ark...

Anyway, after the final stage of the day, we headed back to the hotel. We'd decided to skip the "Friday Night Good Time," since we didn't think The Boy would appreciate all the commotion. So we took the $70 that would have cost us and went to the Outback Steakhouse instead. The Boy was asleep by that time, so we had a fine meal in peace. Checking out the Weather Channel upon our return to the hotel, I discovered that it was a good thing I packed my black duster — there was a lot of rain headed our way.

Saturday, August 31
It was dark and raining when I woke up, and promised to be a nasty day to shoot. I've learned to hate shooting in the rain, and perhaps I've even acquired some sort of mental block about it, but I knew it wouldn't be a good day for me. The grips of my pistols seem to get mighty slippery when wet, and that doesn't give me the greatest confidence when shooting in a "double duelist" style... Wiz and The Boy arrived shortly before the winners and awards were announced. She parked up at the top of the hill, because the field where everyone had parked turned into a mud slide after all the rain. So we slogged up the road and loaded up all the gear, then walked back down to the big tent to get out of the rain and wait until the winners were announced. You can see all of the scores online at the Old North State Posse site.

Rain, Rain, Go Away: I'm shooting in the rain, but I don't like it.
photo by Pixelwiz

Marshall Harland Wolff (SASS #5019) was the overall match winner, shooting in the Mens' Traditional class with a time of 235.57 seconds and 19 total rank points. Brock Holiday (SASS #6521) won my class, Frontier Cartridge, with a time of 353.36 seconds and 396 rank points, beating me by a mile and a half. Deputy Gene finished 5th overall, 4th in the Mens' Traditional class, with a time of 292.22 seconds and 141 rank points.

There were a bunch of folks who shot the match cleanly — of course I was not one of them, so I ended the match in 133rd place overall out of 175. I wasn't last, which I'm happy about, and I didn't quite finish last in my class, which I was surprised about. There were only five of us in the Frontier Cartridge category, since several of the other black powder shooters have joined the new (and popular) "Classic Cowboy" category. I'd join the class too, but I need to buy some different guns and gear before that happens... My overall time was 578.08 seconds this year, which was better than my 644.55 seconds in the previous Championship match — but I racked up 1241 Rank Points, compared to only 1195 last year. I missed a total of 10 targets this time around, which was an improvement (14 misses in 2001, plus a 10-second procedural penalty). I guess I shot better this year, but not by much.

Cajun & his Kid: Cajun Kid holds onto a wayward youngster which bears a remarkable resemblance to him... photo by Pixelwiz

The "theme" to this year's match had us all sworn in as agents of C.A.S.S. (Cowboy Auxiliary Social Services), and required the shooter to care for (and carry!) a large baby doll through the stages. The "babies" were adorned with the mugshots of some of the members of the Old North State Posse, which may have accounted for the rough handling some of the dolls received... Anyway, here are some notes on each stage, in the order I shot them:

Stage 9: Fort Worth
This is where our posse began, in bay five, and we would be shooting around and through a log "fort." I began at the left side of the fort with the baby in both hands, saying "Whose baby is this?" At the beep, I set the baby down in his bed, moved to the window and shot a sweep of the five pistol targets, missing one. I holstered the left gun, moved right to a larger window, drew my other revolver and shot another target five times. Next, I picked up the Winchester to engage the nine rifle targets, then grabbed up my shotgun, moved to the far right window and dropped the four knockdown targets. With the miss (my second shot of the day), all pressure was off for the "clean match" award. Oh well. At least I didn't have the misfortune of one of the other shooters, who snagged his revolver on one of the fort's window sills and dropped it on the ground for a Match DQ. Ouch. I sincerely hope that never happens to me.

B.B. Gunn performing his sworn duties as a member of the CASS corps.
photo by Pixelwiz

Stage 10: The Covered Wagon
On this stage, the rifle was positioned in the back of a wagon, the shotgun over to the left on a hay bale. I started behind the wagon with the baby in both hands and asked "Did the dingoes eat your baby?" When the timer buzzed, I put the baby in the wagon and picked up the rifle to engage the five targets in a 9-round Nevada sweep. The pistol targets were something new — an "Oklahoma" sweep, which contained five targets, three in the front and two between them in back, shot in this order: (1st gun) P2, P1, P2, P3, P3 (in other words, back left, front left, back left, center, center); then with the 2nd gun, P4, P5, P4, P3, P3 (or, back right, front right, back right, center, center). It sounds more confusing than it turned out to be, but I still managed to miss one of the targets with my right-hand revolver. After finishing with the pistols, I ran to the hay bale, picked up the shotgun and dropped those four targets.

Stage 1: The Train Station
This was very similar to a stage I shot in last year's match, with all the action taking place up on a raised platform. It's unusual enough to throw you if you aren't careful — the change in perspective really can make a difference in shooting. I stood on the platform, facing the "ticket window" with the baby in both hands. After I said "Hold this baby, please," I pushed the wooden ticket agent aside and set the baby down in a box behind him. I moved to the right side of the platform to engage the pistol targets: three targets, 2-1-2 with my left gun, then five rounds into one big target with my right. I holstered and moved to the left, where I shot a 10-round Nevada sweep on four targets with my rifle, then dropped four knockdowns with the scattergun. I hit 'em all, and got my first clean stage of the day (and the match).

Stage 2: The Train
A lot of work went into building the prop for this stage, as we shot from a pair of "railroad cars" attached to a "steam engine." It looked great. I began the stage seated in the last train car with the baby. As "Indians" attacked the train, I said "Those Injuns ain't gonna make a Pocahontas outta this baby!" and at the beep, stood up, set the baby on my chair and moved to the railroad car window. I drew my left revolver and shot the first three of five targets, 2-2-1, then pulled my right pistol and shot the last three of five, 1-2-2. There was no breeze to help blow away all the clouds of black powder smoke, but the targets were big and close — several times I simply shot through the white haze to where I thought the targets were. Luck was with me, and I hit them all. This evidently gave me a severe case of Overconfidence, which would come back to get me on the following stage. Regardless, after the pistol-play, I moved to the next passenger car where I scooped up the Winchester and double-tapped the four rifle targets. I set the carbine down, moved to the engine and used the shotgun on the four knockdown targets. Another clean stage for me!

Dalton and B.B. Gunn at the Old Mission in the rain.
photo by Pixelwiz

Stage 3: The Old Los Angeles Mission
This was another good-looking stage, with an old "adobe mission" down towards the back of the berm. The steel was performing double-duty as both rifle and pistol targets here, which meant that there'd be a short dash down the length of the bay before shooting our pistols. I began next to a table where the rifle was staged along with a basket, with the baby in both hands. I said, "Watch the baby, por favor" and placed the doll in the basket as the timer beeped. Grabbing my rifle, I triple-tapped each of the three rifle targets, then had to pick up the basket and run (with rifle still in-hand) down to the mission where I put down both the basket and the rifle. I drew my left pistol and put five rounds onto the three targets (though I don't remember the exact way I did it — probably 2-2-1). I holstered that gun, picked up the shotgun and blasted the four knockdown targets. I still had my right revolver to shoot, and with no breeze blowing the stage was full of black powder smoke by now. Since I'd been able to shoot through the clouds on the previous scenario, I attempted to do so again, much to my regret. The targets here were neither as big nor as close, and I missed two of them. Drat!

Stage 4: Moldy Bones Cemetery
Our last scenario of the day looked like a real "target-rich environment," with a lot of steel in a fairly small area, complete with tombstones (which weren't targets). A pine box coffin was arranged in front of the cemetary gate, and the main strategy here involved finding the appropriate place to stand in an attempt to minimize the interference of the gate poles. Most people ended up having to bob and weave around the pole to shoot the targets.

I found a good spot next to the casket, in which contained both my shotgun and rifle, with the baby held in both my hands. I said "I don't think your folks are here!" and at the timer's buzz put the doll into the coffin and grabbed the Winchester. I double-tapped the five rifle targets, replaced the carbine and drew my left pistol. With that gun, I swept the five pistol targets and holstered, then grabbed the shotgun out of the coffin and dropped the four knockdowns. I finished the stage with another sweep of the pistol targets with my remaining revolver. After missing a pair of targets on the previous stage, I made sure to take care in my shooting and this time hit 'em all. A clean stage is a fine way to end the day!

Stage 5: Panning for Gold
We began the second day of shooting in a chilly, miserable downpour. I hate shooting in the rain, not just because the guns get drenched (which means pretty much a complete tear-down and re-build of the firearms that evening) but also because I have a difficult time establishing a firm, comfortable grip on my revolvers when they're wet. I noticed that a couple guys kept their raincoats/dusters on while they shot and I decided to do the same. I wasn't going for speed, after all — I wanted to try and stay dry and keep my pistol grips as dry as possible, too. It meant being extremely careful when drawing or reholstering a pistol, but the big black duster didn't really get in my way.

I started at the left side of the stage in front of a sluice box with the gold pan in both my hands. The baby doll was next to the box, and I said "Baby needs some shoes." The timer beeped, I dropped the pan into the box and pulled my left pistol to fire on the three targets: once to the left, once to the right and three in the middle. I holstered the gun, grabbed the baby and ran to the table at the right. I put the kid down, drew my other revolver and put five shots on a single pistol target. The gun went back to leather and I picked up my Winchester to engage five rifle targets in a funny sort of Nevada sweep; there were three targets in the middle, with one more on each side of those. I shot R2, R3, R4, R3, R2, then put two rounds onto each of the outside targets (R1, R1; R5, R5). Easier done, than said, really. There was a bonus rifle target, a small little circle, and I had to grab a cartridge from my belt then reload the carbine to hit it. Bang-Ding! I got a five-second bonus for that. I replaced the rifle, picked up the scattergun and dropped the two knockdowns. I was slow, but took it easy and cleaned the stage (plus the bonus).

Rainy Royal: Royal Barnes reins in the traffic to keep people out of the mud pit created when the rain came down.
photo by Pixelwiz

Stage 6: The Gold Mine
The elaborate props set up for this scenario promised us a good time, even in the rain. There was a gold mine to shoot around, with a target inside the "mine shaft," too. An ore cart was situated in front of it all, and that's where the long guns went. I stood behind the ore cart and as I held the baby in both arms I said, "This is a baby, not a canary!" The timer buzzed and I set the baby in the cart, picked up the rifle and shot a nine-round Nevada sweep on five targets. I put the rifle back and pushed the cart several feet to stop in front of the mine entrance. I drew my left revolver and put five rounds onto the four targets surrounding the mine. I forget which target got my extra round, first or last. In any case, when I finished with the pistol, I grabbed the shotgun out of the ore cart and dropped the four knockdown targets, left to right. The last shotgun target triggered a blackpowder charge located behind the mine, making a rather loud "boom!" that unnerved several shooters (and spectators) and didn't phase others. Since I was at the end of the shooting line, I had pretty much gotten used to it, and I don't recall the noise affecting me when it went off. With the other pistol, I put five rounds on the five targets, beginning with the one inside the mine shaft. Again, I was slow, but I got 'em all. Shooting the first two stages of the day was a fine way to start, even in the rain, but it would quickly become worse.

Stage 7: the Saloon
Several false-front buildings graced this particular shooting bay, and it looked good. I began the scenario standing in front of the saloon doors with the baby in both hands and said, "A saloon is no place for a baby!" When the timer beeped, I put the doll into a basket by the door and headed "inside." I moved to the table where my rifle and shotgun were placed, picked up the Winchester and triple-tapped the three rifle targets, left to right. That done, I exchanged the rifle for the double-barrel and hit the knockdowns in the prescribed sequence: S2, S3, S1, S4 (hit the two middle targets, then the ones on each end). This caused a surprising number of procedural penalties, as many cowboys shot them out of order. Not me. I put the shotgun down and ran back outside to a table where I had to turn over a playing card. The four pistol targets corresponded to each of the suits (heart, clover, spade, diamond), and I had to begin and end a sweep of the targets based on which suit appeared when I flipped the card over. I flipped the card over with my right hand as I drew my pistol with my left, then started shooting. I don't remember which suit I began on, but my hands were very wet by this time and I knew I was in for a rough time with my revolvers. I missed twice with my left hand, returned the gun to leather, flipped over another card, drew my right-side gun and missed twice more. Ouch. I hate the rain.

Stage 8: Buckshot's Brothel
Our last stage of the match, and I was worried about it. The directions called for one of the pistols to be placed on a table, and that meant wet grips and trouble for me. Jack B. Nimble kindly sprayed some sort of stuff on my hands, which he said would help keep my pistols from slipping. I thanked him and hoped it would work. I began seated at the table, gazing at the baby's face as I held it in both hands. I said, "This can't be MY baby, it looks just like Fuzzy Fred!" The timer beeped, I stood up and put the baby down and grabbed the gun off the table with my right hand. There were two regular pistol targets that flanked a big wooden cowboy which had a hole cutout of the middle. I alternated shots on the two outside targets (P1, P3, P1, P3) and put the last round into the big cowboy's gut. Unfortunately, I missed twice on the two smaller targets. Wet grips. I wonder how many I'd have missed if Jack hadn't helped me out? Anyway, after that depressing development, I holstered the pistol and ran through the brothel's doorway to put five rounds on one more pistol target. This time, I didn't miss. Dry grips (the gun was in its holster under my coat). I picked up the rifle and shot the three targets in three sweeps, left to right. The shotgun was last, and there was another funny order to them: hit the two outside targets, then drop the two in the middle (S1, S4, S2, S3). This caused some problems for some shooters, but not for me. I'd already had my troubles.

Packin' it in: After the final stage, I load up my soaked stuff into the Explorer and head for home.
photo by Pixelwiz

Here are my numbers on the individual stages: