Cowboy action roll call

[Rekrab]

Wow, that's some great information guys, thanks!

I'll probably pick up a revolver at the very least before checking things out. Besides, I've been wanting one for ages.

[Rekrab]

Wow, that's some great information guys, thanks!

I'll probably pick up a revolver at the very least before checking things out. Besides, I've been wanting one for ages.

[Cranium]

Man, pricey hobby. Looking at about 800 for revolvers, 500 for a shotgun, another 500 for the rifle...
.

and that's just the first set.

To be honest, my first rig was only $600 for a pair of used EMF Hartfords, about $60 for cheap leather (that I still use), $379 for a new Marlin 1894c from Big 5, and $250 for a used Stoeger SxS. Holy crap... I never laid it out like that! Damn I hope my wife never reads Calguns! Still, not nearly as bad as it could have been. Please don't make me add up the additional rifles, 97s and new pair of Ubertis... Yeah, it's addictive.

You can get some cheapish gun leather out of Mexico to start out with. Makes it easier to figure out if you want 2 strong sides, buscadero, crossdraw. Beyond that, you don't have to go crazy with duds. Can be fun to go kind of period correct, though.

Zed, SASS #90878. Been shooting with the Sunnyvale Regulators since '06. Finally joined SASS! Started shooting at Coyote Valley a couple months back as well. Good times. Come out to a shoot, someone will loan you whatever you don't have. It's a nice step to bring some ammo of your own, but most folks will pitch in there as well...

[coyotebait]

Good info Coyotebait. I just want to clarify. Single action pistols like the Ruger Vaquero is a fixed site revolver. Ruger Blackhawks are an adjustable site revolver and are perfectly legal to shoot in SASS sanctioned shooting. A winchester 87 is a lever action rifle. A Winchester 97 is a pump action exposed hammer shotgun that is widely used in CAS shooting. There are Chinese copies of this shotgun. The Winchester 87 is a lever action shotgun and there is also Chinese copies of this one too. Side by side shotguns can be shot just as fast or faster than Winchester 97 pumps with lots of practice. Most Cowboy action shooters are using .38 specials in there pistols and rifles due to fast follow up shots and the lower cost of reloading compared to lets say the .45 Colt. My preference is the .45 Colt. HAPPY SHOOTING!!!

Who started making replica's of the Win. model 87and when did that happen? PLEASE...don't say Norinco. At one time I considered picking up a second Black Hawk, but then I'd have to shoot modern, not traditional. Not a big deal, I just wanted to be as period correct as I could. 38's are faster, but I too prefer the 45, I was never in it to win, I just wanted to have fun.

[Tenamaxtle]

I have been interested in SASS for a long time, but usually the ranch keeps me from going to the matches, and commited the huge mistake of buying .44 caliber guns.

[coyotebait]

I have been interested in SASS for a long time, but usually the ranch keeps me from going to the matches, and commited the huge mistake of buying .44 caliber guns.

Why, exactly. is buying .44 caliber guns a mistake? They can be used in SASS. or is it that you don't get the chance to shoot?

[cudakidd]

I've been shooting for over 15 years here.

Some points, before you buy ANYTHING, go to a match. You will find people eager to help you decide, provide examples of costuming, let you try their guns and rigs, etc.

There are distinct classes with different firearm requirements for each. So your choices might change after seeing what is available and what class you might like to shoot in.

For example, I shoot Black Powder (or acceptable substitute) in a class called Frontier Cartridge. I use BP in all loads including Shotgun. This requires that I hand load/reload due to the scarcity of of BP loads and the costs if I had to buy them.

In this class I can shoot either Percussion pistols or Cartridge as long as they are loaded with BP. As a result I have two pairs of 1860 Colt Army's, 1851s, Walkers, Third Model Dragoons, even a pair of LeMats! Why? Cause I can! I use a Chinese made 1887 Lever Action 12 guage. I have a Winchester 1866 rifle in .38 special.


My Wife Vixen, SASS 6179, Shoots a class called Lady Wrangler. She does NOT shoot BP and uses Matched sets of 32 caliber Ruger Single Sixes with a Matching Marlin Cowboy in 32 H&R and a 20 gauge SXS Shotgun.

We both dress period correct.

There is a B Western Class so you can dress like the Hollywood movie Icons, Classic Cowboy with its Caliber and dress requirements, etc.

Cowboy Action Shooting is not a cheap shooting sport. You will most likely end up reloading your own ammo, so factor in that cost as well.

Hope this helps,

[Alan Block]

I shoot in the Classic Cowboy cat.

EMF hartford, Cimmaron Cavalry model in .45
Win 73 in 45
Rossi Overland w/hammers
all black powder loads including 12 ga all brass shells

[Barabas]

Ever since I heard about the Wild Bunch shoots, I've been meaning to check it out. I freaking love that movie.

[tatso7]

Used to be "Tatanka" back when the SGV Gun Club in Fish Canyon was still open. Sold most of my cowboy guns when the range closed.

[tonelar]

5 points
-The '87 Winchester (lever shotgun) replicas come from China ($650 and up) or Italy ($995 and up).
-Lots of fun can be had shooting 44s. My fave's .44 Russian. But people shoot .44 Colt .44 Special .44-40 and .44 Looong Colt (Magnum) at a lot of the local matches.
-Most commonly, folks shoot pistols w/ fixed sights (however adjustable sights can still be used in the "modern" category).
-I sometimes still wear jeans, plain work boots, a plaid long sleeve shirt and an old cowboy hat.
-New shooters are alwaze welcome. Don't let the fact that you don't have everything you need prevent you from making a shoot.

[Super Spy]

I shot my first CAS at Yolo on Superbowl Sunday. It was a blast. I have an old SxS Hammergun on it's way. I'm leaning towards Vaquero's though caliber is still up in the air. My buddy has all the guns so when he has a weekend off I try to join him. Unfortunately he normally works weekends and is the only one I know that shoots CAS. I had a great time even though I sucked....the only exception being thrown clay targets.....I guess I'm less sucky with a shotgun. I hope to do it again soon and find some other friendly folks to go shoot with at Chabot or Richmond. The people were extremely friendly and happy to let you shoot their guns, such a pleasant change from a lot of the attitude throwing people you encounter in this area. CAS shooters are the best.

[tonelar]

SS,
I've enjoyed an occasional River City Regulators shoot. I do hit the Bay Area matches more consistently, though.
Any weekend you wanna go, drop me a message here.
My loaner rig consists of EAA 357 Bounty Hunters, a 357 Marlin 94 and a 12g IAC 97.
The usual shoot will see you going through a minimum of 120 rounds of 38 specials and a box of shells.

[7.62 FMJ]

5 points
-The '87 Winchester (lever shotgun) replicas come from China ($650 and up) or Italy ($995 and up).
-Lots of fun can be had shooting 44s. My fave's .44 Russian. But people shoot .44 Colt .44 Special .44-40 and .44 Looong Colt (Magnum) at a lot of the local matches.
-Most commonly, folks shoot pistols w/ fixed sights (however adjustable sights can still be used in the "modern" category).
-I sometimes still wear jeans, plain work boots, a plaid long sleeve shirt and an old cowboy hat.
-New shooters are alwaze welcome. Don't let the fact that you don't have everything you need prevent you from making a shoot.

They have done away with the modern category, adjustable sights are now legal in age based categorys. I shoot 44 mags and the only down side that I can think of is if you want to shoot a 73 your pistols and rifle calibers won't match.

[tonelar]

Wow, I didn't know SASS did away w/ the category.

Anywaze, there's still a local shoot here that isn't SASS sanctioned (so Black Hawk fans can still run what they brung). Are all CAS matches in the rest of the state SASS now?

I like the OWSS shoots at Chabot, 'cause you get to use your 87 or 97 as Browning intended (by loading it up just like you do your rifle).