John in B.C. said:
Counting hits? I thought the targets were steel plates and the scorers listened for the hits. Not so?
Have you been to a match? No it's not that easy. Can you tell the difference between the sound of a hit on the target stand compared to a hit on the target? What about a hit on the wrong target? I have found it hard to hear the difference.
Depending on the target design and where the bullet hits you may not get as much sound from a target as you might think. If we wore fast responding electronic ear muffs then it would be somewhat easier but that does not match our dress. Earplugs are typically used.
In our matches we have one score keeper who calls out the shooter order and records time and shots. We have three people that count the hits and watch for the shot order. Majority rules.
So we have the Range Officer with the timer, the score keeper, three shot counters, two people on the reloading and unloading tables, one or two people to pick up brass. That is eight or nine positions needed. Then of course you need the shooters and those at that have just shot or about to shoot at the loading table. Those that have shot have to switch off with some of the nine others doing the work on the stage.
If we get more than 15 shooters we can afford to have some people not pulling their weight. If we get above 20 shooters then we split into two posses in order to get the shoot done in a reasonable time. If we are at about 22 shooter then we have 11 per posse. This means we need everyone to pitch in again.
Typically when someone shoots cap and ball handguns they will have additional problems because of the gun design. They will take longer to load their guns and probably will not be able to do it at the regular loading tables that are busy places. How does someone shoot a stage with C&B when you are supposed to load your handguns on the clock? It does not happen often but it is written into stages every so often. What happens more often is additional shots with handguns unloaded and loaded on the clock.
I enjoy seeing someone shoot C&B. Those that have have typically had problems though. I would like to take mine out and shoot a stage or two with them but as primary guns I would not recommend it. But if you still plan on it then practice shooting as you would have to shoot in a match. Include your rifle and shotgun in the practice. If we had someone new show up that was not an experienced cowboy action shooter and he insisted on shooting C&B we would be concerned. Shooting on the clock in a match is not the same as shooting casually at your own pace.
The following picture is one of my favorite picture from a shoot in 2003. Cap an Ball with all chambers going off at once. Nice smoke.
Cool pics
