getting more shooters for CBA

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Last Post 16 May 2017

CBA Member

GWarden posted this 10 February 2017

If our organization is like many other shooting venues, the age of our group is getting older, and younger shooters are not entering the ranks. We have a dedicated group that do a great job of making the CBA a quality shooting organization. New postal matches are being introduced to get more shooters involved in our cast bullet shooting. Pete, a member of the CBA got me interested in cast bullet shooting, and I've never looked back. I look at all rifle purchases from the angle of how will it work with cast bullets.

So, what I'm getting at, how do we try and keep coming up with new ideas to introduce younger shooters to our cast bullet shooting? How many of us take time to actually take our time and introduce younger shooters to our sport? I saw one great new CBA postal match to introduce younger shooters to. The “bunny match” seem to just be the ticket to introduce my son inlaw and grandson to. Why not introduce someone to one of the postal matches, pay their entry fee and then just let them see how challenging and enjoyable cast bullet shooting is. The “bunny gun” match is one great idea. Entrants can use their .22rf, they don't need to make the investment in equipment , but can use their existing rimfire. It just might be the thing to spark an interest. If nothing else, what a great way to spend time with family members.

Bob

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CBA Member

SierraHunter posted this 10 February 2017

I have a feeling, that at 23, I may be the youngest CBA member. I've tried talking a few guys my age into shooting cast, but most of them have some semi auto and say they can just buy steel cased junk.

Most people my generation are lazy. Why cast, and load ammo, and pick up brass, if they can go to the store and get wolf, which will go bang as fast as they can pull the trigger?

I've found next to on one my age who has any interest in precision shooting.

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JeffinNZ posted this 10 February 2017

I have a feeling, that at 23, I may be the youngest CBA member. I've tried talking a few guys my age into shooting cast, but most of them have some semi auto and say they can just buy steel cased junk. Most people my generation are lazy. Why cast, and load ammo, and pick up brass, if they can go to the store and get wolf, which will go bang as fast as they can pull the trigger? I've found next to on one my age who has any interest in precision shooting.

I am inclined to agree with you on the generational thing. I would love to see a correlation of AR15 sales to 5.56mm ammo sold. I suspect the ammo consumption is exponential. Would also like to see if younger people of handloading; I suspect not. Throw away culture or disposal items and income. I am training my girls that if they want to shoot CF cartridges they have to handload them. I'm not buying Kiera factory Hornet ammo at $80 a box of 50 when we can load cast for a fraction of that to cover her needs. It's more principle than cost really.

Stick round here and soon you will be as old and cantankerous as the rest of us.

Cheers from New Zealand

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CBA Member

Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 21 February 2017

i have always thought we should have wallet cards printed up by cba specifically to hand out ... short message, cute graphic, and cba address and room on back for we members address and phone number ... i would buy a couple hundred to start with myself .

? email address where prospect could send and ask for free e-copy of FS ?

etc .

ken

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CBA Member

David Reiss posted this 11 May 2017

I just received my latest mould from Al at NOE and included in the package was one of the CBA calling cards. Good idea David and thank you Al. Gp

Use that card to give to someone you know or one you meet at the range that my be interested in joining the CBA,

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .

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CBA Member

RicinYakima posted this 10 February 2017

I am very sorry you don't have anyone close to you to share your interest. But you always have your 'net friends! Ric

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CBA Member

SierraHunter posted this 10 February 2017

If I stuck around one place longer then a few months at a time, I may have better luck. I move around quite a bit for work.

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CBA Member

Scearcy posted this 10 February 2017

I have a feeling, that at 23, I may be the youngest CBA member. I've tried talking a few guys my age into shooting cast, but most of them have some semi auto and say they can just buy steel cased junk. Most people my generation are lazy. Why cast, and load ammo, and pick up brass, if they can go to the store and get wolf, which will go bang as fast as they can pull the trigger? I've found next to on one my age who has any interest in precision shooting.

I am inclined to agree with you on the generational thing. I would love to see a correlation of AR15 sales to 5.56mm ammo sold. I suspect the ammo consumption is exponential. Would also like to see if younger people of handloading; I suspect not. Throw away culture or disposal items and income. I am training my girls that if they want to shoot CF cartridges they have to handload them. I'm not buying Kiera factory Hornet ammo at $80 a box of 50 when we can load cast for a fraction of that to cover her needs. It's more principle than cost really.

Stick round here and soon you will be as old and cantankerous as the rest of us.

Hopefully SH won't get as cantankerous as the rest of us.

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CBA Member

SierraHunter posted this 11 February 2017

I wouldn't count on that! 🙄

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CBA Member

SierraHunter posted this 11 February 2017

One other thing that comes to my mind is the kind of competition shot. Most younger guys are getting into run and gun type competition since the hot guns these days are high capacity auto loaders. Maybe hosting a 3 gun or USPSA type match once or twice a year would draw younger shooters. You know, something we can actually win 😉

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CBA Member

David Reiss posted this 11 February 2017

I am working very hard to get new & younger members. There are some programs in effect at this time to get new members and so far they have been successful. More programs are in the works and others are being discussed. Soon you will read in an upcoming issue of the FS about a “membership scholarship” for junior shooters.

Bob's idea is a good one, as is mine for a AR platform postal match. Daniel (SierraHunter) has helped me with posts on Facebook which garnered a couple new members. I have also posted on other forums, which has resulted in over 20 new members just recently.

Here are a few things you can do:

-Post on other forums about the CBA (be sure and add a hyperlink to the CBA)
-Talk to other people at your range
-Donate a one-year membership for a junior scholarship (details will follow in the FS)

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CBA Member

GP Idaho posted this 11 February 2017

SH: That should make for high comedy, watching a bunch of old guys dashing about firearms in hand! lol Gp

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CBA Member

SierraHunter posted this 11 February 2017

SH: That should make for high comedy, watching a bunch of old guys dashing about firearms in hand! lol Gp

Entertainment is half the fun. And don't under estimate old men. One of the top 3 gunners in the country is in his 70s. Lots of old guys shooting run and gun.

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CBA Regional Director

MarkinEllensburg posted this 12 February 2017

Efforts to improve the forum should help to attract more members.

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Standard Member

Mbirdsley posted this 19 February 2017

I just joined a couple of months ago. I am 31 years old. I actually joined because I want to get into some sort of competitive shooting but, not something as intense as three gun. I Have been reloading for about a year and a half. Started casting as a way to shoot my T/C triumph with out having to shoot barnes TMZ's all the time. So far I have had time to get my Ruger sr9c and my Iver Johnson Cadet bores slugged. I think next week ill start poring for my 9mm. trying to get there just other problems are getting in the way. Hopefully by spring ill be shooting some postal matches.

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Standard Member

OU812 posted this 19 February 2017

Picture found in gallery of 2007 nationals.

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CBA President

John Alexander posted this 19 February 2017

I don't know why OU812 posted this picture but I believe it and the implied question asked require comment.

The confederate battle flag displayed at this match was not displayed by the CBA but by the the two shooters pictured who are from South Carolina, H.L.Yarlbrough on the left and the late David Crump on the right. I have known them both for over 15 years and have had many discussions with each -- always about cast bullets shooting. In that time I have never heard either make a racist remark or joke. Both have made contributions to the CBA including helping new shooters get started in cast bullet shooting.

I cannot remember hearing any shooter at any CBA match discussing politics, race, or religion. I think it is understood that a CBA match is not the place for such discussions just as these discussions are banned on this CBA forum.

To answer the implied question in the post, anybody with an interest in shooting cast bullets will find that they will fit in at any CBA match. They will also be made to feel welcome and receive assistance if they want advice or support with their shooting.

Anybody should feel welcome at any CBA match and if there is evidence of this not being true the CBA Board of Directors would like to hear of it.

John

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CBA Member

Bud Hyett posted this 19 February 2017

The attributes which I talk to candidate shooters:

Relaxation - Quoting Warren Page in his book, The Accurate Rifle, “it (shooting bench-rest) takes so much concentration and effort that for a few hours each week, you forget who all you owe money to and when the next payment is due."
Setup - The cost of molds, pots, lubri-sizers, lead, upfront so there are no surprises which dull the new enthusiasm.
Savings - The cost is amortized over the years and savings do accrue.
Benefit - A shooter does not save money, but gets many more shots for the same money.
Ethics - Shooters are trustworthy, I can leave thousands of dollars worth of rifles and scopes in a rack and no one will bother it.
Switching Over - Jacketed bullet fouling needs thorough cleaning for cast to shoot well.
Unseen Benefits: - The shooter learns; 1) accurate range estimation in the field, 2) wind effects, 3) how ot subconsciously judge wind in the field, 4) effects of light on target, and, 5) consistent shouldering of the rifle.
Hands-on - Finally, I offer to have them stop by my reloading shed and work through a demonstration.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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CBA Member

Bohica793 posted this 21 February 2017

I personally would love to shoot in a CBA match and if one ever gets within 4 hours of Fairhope, AL I will. Unfortunately, all of the matches I see listed are in locations that require me to get on an airplane to visit. When will there be any matches down in my area?