Every sport has its own language, and Cowboy Action Shooting adds a little Old West flavor to the mix. Here are the terms you’ll hear around the stages, along with places to learn more.
These are introductory explanations. Use the current official rules and match briefing for exact requirements and rulings.
People and places
- Alias: The name you use in Cowboy Action Shooting and in match records.
- Match director: The person who designs the stages, supervises setup, and handles interpretation of stage directions and rules within the applicable match procedures.
- Posse: The group of shooters who move through the match together and share stage work.
- Posse leader: The person responsible for organizing the posse, assigning jobs, keeping the group on schedule, and ensuring scores reach the appropriate match official. The source describes this person as usually the primary timer operator.
- Range officer (RO): An official responsible for safe range activity.
- Timer operator (TO): The official who runs the shooter through the stage, operates the timer, and communicates the result to the scorekeeper.
- Spotter: A posse worker who observes shots, misses, and possible stage-instruction errors and reports observations to the TO.
- Firing line: The area governed by the match’s firing-line procedures. The source describes it as extending from the loading table to the unloading table.
Stages and shooting terms
- Stage: A set of targets and the instructions for shooting them. A stage typically specifies firearms, ammunition count, firearm placement, target order, starting position, hand position, and a starting line to say aloud. The source gives ten rifle rounds, ten revolver rounds split between two revolvers, and four or more shotgun rounds as a typical example—not a requirement for every stage.
- Scenario: The stage’s story and shooting instructions.
- Stage your guns: Place firearms in the locations specified for the stage, following the timer operator’s direction.
- Sweep: A specified sequence for engaging targets. Follow the sequence in the stage instructions; there are many variations.
- Double tap: Two successive shots at the same target.
- Triple tap: Three successive shots at the same target.
- Reload: A stage instruction requiring additional ammunition to be loaded during the timed portion of the stage, subject to the applicable rules.
- Side match: An additional contest, often held alongside an annual or larger match. The source gives long-range big-bore rifles, derringers, and pocket pistols as examples of firearms that may be used, alongside main-match firearms.
Scores and penalties
- Raw time: The elapsed time recorded for a stage before scoring adjustments.
- Miss: A missed target. The source lists a five-second penalty per miss.
- Procedural: A non-safety stage error, such as unintentionally engaging targets out of order or failing to complete a required stage instruction. The source lists a ten-second penalty.
- Minor safety violation: A safety infraction classified as minor under the rules. The source lists a ten-second penalty and also uses the shorthand “Safety” for this entry. Other safety violations may have different consequences.
- Stage DQ: Disqualification from a stage. The source states that two stage disqualifications result in a match disqualification.
- Match DQ: Disqualification from the entire match.
- Bonus: A scoring benefit specified by the stage. The source describes some more-difficult bonus shots as reducing the stage time by five to ten seconds when successfully completed.
- Reshoot: An authorized opportunity to shoot a stage again under qualifying circumstances.
Safety terms and commands
- Cease fire: Stop shooting immediately and follow the range officer’s directions.
- Down range: A warning that people are going or may be downrange; stop handling firearms and wait for instructions.
- Squib: An abnormal discharge that may leave a bullet lodged in the barrel. Do not fire another round from the affected firearm; notify the timer operator.
- Cold range / hot range: Terms whose intended meaning must be explained in the club’s approved range briefing. Do not use them alone to decide whether you may handle firearms or go downrange.
Helpful resources
- Illowa Irregulars: Club information, schedules, and results. Use our match calendar, match scores, directions, and contact page for local information.
- Single Action Shooting Society (SASS): The organization’s website and information about the sport.
- SASS handbooks and range officer materials: Read the current official materials for rules and category requirements. Download the applicable handbook and review it before competing.
- SASS Wire: Community discussions. Check rule interpretations against current official materials and qualified match officials.
- Milan Rifle Club: Information about the host club.
- Cowboy Action Shooting on Wikipedia: General background reading; use official sources for rules.