Cast Bullet Association

CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Today I got a nice form letter from CBA (John Alexander) advising that the CBA was making an effort to gather up former members to re-join, stating that renewal notifications might have been uneven on their end.

I let my membership lapse a few years ago. I know that several folks here still belong and contribute, the dues is not an onerous amount. I do miss The Fouling Shot.

I am seeking opinions yay or nay about signing up again. What say all o' y'all?
 
L Ross

L Ross

Well-Known Member
I never got a renewal notice and never renewed. I liked the CBA and the Fouling Shot. Uneven, I'll say. I'd rejoin if they reach out to me.
 
B

BudHyett

Active Member
I've been a member since 1984. The matches and The Fouling Shot are the attractions.

I enjoy the matches. Before I retired, a Saturday morning match took so much concentration that for four hours I forgot all work pressures and who all I owed money to. Then the rest of the weekend was far more enjoyable. Plus I can leave my rather expensive target rifle on the bench between relays and not worry about it being stolen.

The Fouling Shot has great information on a variety of topics within the scope of casting and shooting. Being a fan of the .45 Colt cartridge, I enjoy the articles on this cartridge with the loading information. I own revolvers in all three strength levels, but do not load for the highest level. I'm working on an article about bullet selection shooting the .45 Colt at 140, 200, 265 and 600 yards at the Elmer Keith Memorial Shoot.

I'm aware of some current efforts to rebuild the organization. There is a dedicated core group working hard to address the input they have been given. Remember, this is a volunteer group that functions when the volunteers have the extra time. I was rather direct in discussions at the 2023 National Matches concerning leading volunteers versus driving them away.
 
Last edited:
Outpost75

Outpost75

Active Member
I have been a member since the mid-1980s. I enjoy The Fouling Shot and the CBA Forum. Both have lots of good technical info you won't find elsewhere. I know they have had some turnover in member services and other positions, as is common with volunteer organizations. Membership contributions of articles, Q&As, hints and tips make it work.
 
D

Dusty Bannister

Well-Known Member
There have been some membership issues in the past that took a good bit of effort to clear up. The digital copy of the Fouling Shot is great for foreign members. I purchased a membership for a person living in Argentina. No he is not a member of the NRA, and do you really think you need a phone number for a guest membership in Argentina? Cheap enough, he can read it in English to practice the language or use google translate into Spanish. Great benefit.

Some of the information is gleaned from the CBA Forum, but still worth while to me. Ask for a copy of the digital copy if you want to go the least expensive way. No mail delays, and no postage for the Association to pay. I still like the paper copy though.
 
Urny

Urny

Missouri Ozarks, heart still in the Ruby Mountains
After a long absence I rejoined a couple of years ago and very much enjoy my membership. Though not a competitive shooter, I do enjoy going over the details of the competitions posted at the back of the journal.

The arrival of The Fouling Shot is usually the best thing to come to my mail box. It is well worth the small cost.
 
L Ross

L Ross

Well-Known Member
RicinYakima said:
They don't send our renewal notices, it is printed on your mailing label. You are responsible to know when to renew.
Click to expand...
I re read my post. I can't even figure out what "Uneven I'll say." meant. I don't remember typing that in that post. Something happened typing somewhere else is my guess. I had just poured a glass of bourbon and was watching Perry Mason re-runs at the time.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I was a member 20 some years ago. I do recall when they either started or revamped the forum as my suggestion for them to gather all of Uncle Frank Marshalls articles into a volume on CD was accepted as near brilliance and it sold well. I still re-read mine, wonderful info, easy reading and Franks sense of humor.

I'm not sure I'll rejoin even if they do ask. I'm so far behind in so many areas now it's sad. But I'd lie to get the time to read the Fouling Shot. Good stuff!
 
T

Thumbcocker

Active Member
I have always gotten renewal notices. On the website, some years back they updated the software or something and I could no longer log in. I tried to open a new account with my screen name and couldn't. I kinda miss the site.
 
Wiresguy

Wiresguy

Active Member
I received a letter as well and decided to renew. Fouling Shot - for my interests the match info is just filler, but the other info is interesting. I enjoyed the forum as well.
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
I've tried to join CBA a couple of times. First time (pre-internet) I filled out a form and sent it in with a check. Never heard from them and the check never hit the bank. Second time a few years later I sent in a check and the check did clear the bank, never heard from them again. I gave up on them.
 
Glaciers

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
My membership ran out this spring and I was procrastinating as usual, so I called the lady that I believe took over for David, and asked if I could pay over the phone. I was told that I could do it online and I’d have to start a new membership. Well I went to the website and it was confusing so I just wanted to keep my old membership going, and I’m sure that’s possible, but I couldn’t figure it out at the time. I will be trying again, I’m just not very good with online stuff. Which is why I called.
 
hporter

hporter

Active Member
I receive the digital version of The Fouling Shot. For me, that publication is worth the cost of the membership. I also enjoy some of the threads on that website too. And I don't mind spending a little money to support hobbies I enjoy. Helps to keep their lights on.

This thread reminded me I need to see when my subscription expires, but I am getting an error trying to get into the forum. The main page works fine, but when I click on the forum link I get an error. I normally chose the several years subscription so I don't have to worry about it for a while. But now for the life of me I can't remember when it is supposed to expire.
 
J

JustJim

Well-Known Member
Rick said:
I've tried to join CBA a couple of times. First time (pre-internet) I filled out a form and sent it in with a check. Never heard from them and the check never hit the bank. Second time a few years later I sent in a check and the check did clear the bank, never heard from them again. I gave up on them.
Click to expand...
I'm with Rick. After previous experiences trying to join, and having spent ~5 months late last year-early this year trying once again to join the CBA and the forum (only to be given excuses and jerked around), I've given up on the CBA. What has made it worse was after I thought I was done with them, they kept emailing me: I'd "unsubscribe" but the mails continued. The only way that happens is if you are being deliberately returned to the mailing list again after you've unsub'd . . . .

I was told by a couple of members that problems joining and renewing were common: they suggested I keep trying. "It is a volunteer-run organization, after all" . . . but these problems have been going on for more than 2 decades! Back around 2000 when I was a moderator for one of Chas Hamilton's mailing lists, the most-common rejected posts were about CBA membership issues. I've been the volunteer membership coordinator of a group almost 10x the size of the CBA for the same period, and in 20+ years we haven't had as many problem total as I experienced trying to join the CBA.

It isn't worth the headaches.
 
Glaciers

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Sounds like CBA would have a fair amount more membership if they could fix the joining of new members or renewals. It is frustrating when all you want is to hand over some money.
 
B

BudHyett

Active Member
Glaciers said:
Sounds like CBA would have a fair amount more membership if they could fix the joining of new members or renewals. It is frustrating when all you want is to hand over some money.
Click to expand...
They are working on this, they now see the full scope of the problem. The new membership director and the new treasurer comprehend the problem. They are whole-heartedly addressing it.

Like many groups unfamiliar with IT, they initially let the provider set the procedures and now understand what they really need. IT providers are the modern version of snake oil salesmen, ranking slightly above politicians.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.