TERRACE ROD & GUN CLUB

August 24th, 2002

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PIONEER SHOOT

SPIRIT OF THE MATCH

The pioneers of British Columbia were a hard breed of people whom were forced to adapt themselves in some of the toughest and rugged weather and terrain known in North America. While British Columbia was rich in timber, minerals and wild game one had to be extremely resourceful to survive. One had to own a rifle during these times in order to put food on the table. There were no Corner Stores readily available in the bush for which to buy yourself a TV dinner!

Many of these Pioneers that built this Province, indeed this beloved Nation, did so with a lever gun in one hand, a farming plow in the other and some rudimentary logging and construction equipment strapped to a mule drawn carriage.

In order to celebrate this pioneering Spirit there are some restrictions placed on the shoot to emulate what is appropriate historically to British Columbia's Pioneers. This is designed and built into the Rules which are noted below.

Bring lead bullets only, no jacketed ammo. Wad cutters and semi-wad cutters are okay.

The Terrace Rod & Gun Club will be hosting a Pioneer Lever Gun Match August 24^th, 2002 at the Terrace Rod & Gun Club Pistol and Rifle Ranges, located in Thornhill, B.C. We invite all Cowboys and Cowgirls to participate. This is a combination short and long range match, rifle only, no pistol or shotgun It is not a standard Cowboy match. Please don't bring or wear your pistols, the event course of fire does not allow them.

Registration is from 8:00 am to 8:30 am, and there will be a shooters meeting at 8:45am, with the first practice shot downrange shortly thereafter. The match will break for a 30 minute lunch at 12:00 and will reconvene at 12:30. The match will conclude no later than 3:00 p.m. If there is time after the match, the range will be available for practice. Cost is $15.00 per shooter.

Rules are as follows:
Period Pioneer costume circa 1849-1900 is required . This can range from the simple (jeans, long-sleeved western shirt and cowboy hat) to the elaborate (hand-sewn costume including accessories). Rifles are limited to originals or reproductions of pre 1900 rifles found in the Western USA, Mexico, Cuba, or Canada during the pioneer era, roughly 1870 to 1900. Any firearm that is visually similar to an original may be used. The rifle should at least look like a close copy of an original or something that could be an original (For example, the Marlin 336 looks a great deal like a Marlin 1893. If in doubt, call us and ask. Please Note: Pistol rigs are prohibited during this shoot.

They will have events for the following categories of rifles:

Lever or pump actions

(Examples: .44-40, 38-40, .32-20, .25-20, .45 Colt etc. Examples would be the Winchester 1866, 1873, 1892, Marlin 1894, Colt Lightning, etc. Lever or pump actions chambered for rifle cartridges, i.e..25-35, 30-30, .32 Special, .45-70, .38-55, .30-40 Krag , 303 Savage. 303 British etc. Examples would be the Winchester 1876, 1886, 1894, and 1895, the Marlin 1893 ,1895 and 336, large frame Colt lightning, and the Savage 1899.)

Single shots:

(Examples: Trapdoor Springfield, Rolling Blocks, Sharps, Winchester or Browning 1885, Martini-Henry, etc.

Bolt actions are not permitted.

Ammunition

is limited to cartridges that were in use prior to 1900, caliber .25 or greater, loaded with lead alloy bullets only, either plain base or gas check. Jacketed bullets are not allowed. We do make an exception and allow the .38 Special, .357 mag, and .44 mag, (In the lever action pistol caliber category) , but they still must be loaded with lead alloy bullets only. Powder can be either smokeless or black powder. Modern cartridges like the .308 Winchester, .30-06, .250 Savage, etc.. are not allowed. A modern caliber that is very similar to an original, for example the .375 Winchester/ .38-55, may be allowed. If in doubt, give us a call.

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. Targets are steel plates and gongs, at 50, 100 and 200 yards respectively.

Course of Fire:

Course of fire for each event is one sighter (optional) and 5 or 10 rounds for the event. Shooters will be timed, and the winner will be the one with the most hits. Ties will be settled by most hits in shortest time. All shooting will be standing free-hand.

Shooter must declare whether they intend to use the one round sighter privaledge to the range master prior to engaging the firing line.

There will be a 50 yard, 100 yard and 200 yard event for each class of rifle.

Five - 50 yard metal targets - 6" in diameter (handgun / smallbore rifle range)

One -100 yard gong - 14" in diameter (handgun / smallbore rifle range)

One -200 yard gong - 21" in diameter. (Big Bore Rifle Range)

There will also be a 200 yard "High Plains Rifleman" match, which is shot with the rifle supported on crossed sticks. Any black powder cartridge rifle can be used, but for the " High Plains Rifleman" match, rounds must be loaded and fired one at a time. The "High Plains Rifleman" target is a 14" gong at 200 yards (Big Bore Rifle Range). Two sighters and ten for the record on this event.

RULES

1. 25 shots for record

2. All shooters will have the option of shooting at all ranges set up.

• Each group of shooters will engage the 50 yard steel targets in their first shooting session - Scores will then be tabulated and the shooter will leave the line for the next competitor.

• Upon their return, they will engage the 100 yd. gong in their second shooting session - scores will be tabulated - then leave the line for the next shooter.

• Again they will return to the line for the 200 yard gong event - Scores will be tabulated - shooter will leave the line for the next competitor.

• Sighter shots will only be allowed before the match begins (Saturday 9am to 10:00am).

SHOOTERS ARE LIMITED TO TWELVE (12)SIGHTER SHOTS IN TOTAL prior to the match.

3. Shooting sticks will be allowed for Pioneer Buffalo shooters. No other type of rest may be utilized. The traditional positions of prone, sitting, kneeling and off-hand may be utilized. All shooters MUST provide their own shooting sticks, shooting stools and other necessary equipment.

7. Prizes will be awarded to the top three Men Pioneer Class Scores, Lady Pioneer Shooter Class and Junior Shooter Class (up to 16 years of age). There is no Special prize for the overall highest score.

8. Only lead cast bullets are allowed.

10. Velocities must be 1500 fps (feet per second) or less. (1100 to 1400 fps is preferable).

11. Only black, gold or silver front sights will be allowed. Sharps with tang rear sights and bubble front sights are allowed.

12.Junior class is for shooters 16 years and younger. Permission to compete must have Match Directors approval.