I want to start CAS

[rs22250]

I need some advice on gun selection, for pistolas  I am choosing from ruger, american western arms, uberti's cowboy millenium, and berretas stampede. which is the best for the money?
 A model 94 trapper or rossi m-92 puma for a rifle?
initially i was leaning towards 45lc in caliber because some one said it was possible to use 45acp dies for the long colt is this true, good idea or bad?
 i feel i may be more interested in 357 or 44-40 if the dies arent universal.
thank for your help

[EOD3]

I’d go for the Ruger revolvers.  Drop those rifles and go with a Marlin.  You might be able to use ACP dies for 45LC but I SERIOUSLY doubt it.  The LC uses a roll crimp and the ACP uses a taper crimp, not to mention the bullets (and therefore case) are a different diameter.  Unless you have a burning desire to spend more money than you need to, go with the .357 magnum.

[The Shrink]

Not only are the diameters different, the 45LC case is almost twice as long as the ACP.  If there was a combined use, it would go the other way.  

I have one of the Uberti Cattleman in 44-40 with the Bird's Head grip and love it.  It's in 4 3/4" and if I ever shoot Cowboy it'll be a cross-draw piece.

[Old Cane]

Rugers, Marlin, cheap double to start. If you reload shoot what you like. If you don't go with 38spl.

Now, once you start, the Rugers aren't authentic. The Marlin, 92 and 94 don't qualify for "classic cowboy". The AWAs are authentic. The Uberti's are somehwere in between AWA and Ruger. The best thing to do is buy what you can to start. Don't do what I did and keep swapping around. Buy what you want as you change your mind because you will. KEEP WHAT YOU GET if you can at all afford it. Not only will you have backups, you won't be wishing you still had that 44 Marlin or 45 Rugers to take hunting later this month.

To be really authentic you'll need the AWA Peacekeepers or USFA SAAs, a yellowboy or 73 in 44/40 or 38/40 and a hammered double (if I have enough doubles I get hammered too). Most people fall in between the novice an the authentic. It takes a while to figure out what fits you and what you can afford. If you want to try to be really fast you may like the Ruger/73 short rifle/slick 97 route. If you want to shoot slower try BP in some Navy conversions and a hammered double. A SS 92 goes nice with BP.

[rs22250]

Not only are the diameters different, the 45LC case is almost twice as long as the ACP.  If there was a combined use, it would go the other way.  

I have one of the Uberti Cattleman in 44-40 with the Bird's Head grip and love it.  It's in 4 3/4" and if I ever shoot Cowboy it'll be a cross-draw piece.
    [I use a 230 gr lead RN in my kimber the diameter is .452 and for lead in both the LC and ACP my data suggests using .452? since the case is longer would it work to just asjust appropriatley and roll crimp. has anyone ever heard of this or should i just forgetta  bout it/quote]

[Roy Cobb]

Well 45 ACP uses a taper crimp, instead of a roll and the 45 LC would be used in two different guns unless you want to differentiate between the Rifle and Pistol rounds so you might need to Full length resize.
Dies are cheap I would go with 45 LC and buy the new dies.
As for the pistols you really can't go wrong with Cabelas Millenium
Aside from the finish they really are descent pistols I have one of them and are a good entry level gun. the rugers are stouter though.
I also use a Rossi Puma fine rifle for the money IMHO you can have fun with that one too. Everyone has their own opinions. My advice is go with what you can best afford and have fun.

[ButlerFord45]

Find a match somewhere, go, tell'em your new and trying to decide on what type of guns, I'll bet ya a cup of coffee that you'll have the opportunity to try several different ones. Then you can decide on what YOU like best.  Different folks like different things, I guess that is why there are so many choices.  Honestly, go to a match and let'em know your looking.

[Peddler Parsons]

I agree  with Butler
  Go to a couple of different matches and try the different guns and find out what you like.  Ofer to pay for the shell or even take shell with you for the type of gun you wont to try.  Almost any cowboy will let you use their guns and help you out

[The Shrink]

RS

You may be right on the diameters, not shooting .45 I just followed another post about the diameter.  

My concern is the resizing - most people do not realize how tight the tolerences are in a SA revolver.  A case that is tight, or a high primer will prevent the cylinder from turning and lock up your gun.  A case that would pass and function well in an auto will lock up a SA, simply because of the energy slamming that case into the chamber in the auto.  It's only your thumb doing the same thing in the SA, and removing it unfired is just as challenging.  

In short, accurate resizing is a must in SA shooting/reloading.  Even an overlarge crimp that bulges the case at the crimp or an overly large flare for cast bullets is a no-no.  I've found this in my .44Mag Ruger and the Uberti Cattleman seems even more sensitive.  

I agree, go to a shoot and you will have the opportunity to shoot a large variety of different guns if you circulate and inform people of your interest and lack of knowledge/experience.  You will also hear a lot of favoritism, why their's is best, but if you shoot .45ACP you already know this!

I think you are gonna have a lot of fun with this, and if you don't, try another group and try again.

Wayne the shrink

[howdy doody]

I have to agree with the majority. Go to a match and try different guns. Cowboy shooters are glad to let you try out their shooters. You can get a lot of input from talking with a pard about his gun too.
I started out with colt clones. I had trouble with one and being as I was a real greenhorn, I decided I had better get something I don't have to think about all the time and traded them off for Rugers. I am still shooting the Marlin I bought when I started and I am into my 5th year of CAS now and that marlin keeps on ticking. I shoot near every week and I can only guess how many rounds have been through it. As I gathered experience in cartridge guns and with smokeless, I tried black powder and liked it so much that I stuck with it and then on to cap and balls. I have two SXS shotguns and depending on my mood, I will shoot one or the other. You can get a lot of advice on this and that, but the best advice has been to go out to a shoot and introduce yourself as a cowpoke that is interested in getting started and see how many will do what they can to help you.  :grin:

[DB Leath]

Good advice from folks that know...

 

[rs22250]

thank you for all of your advice.  I agree that its probably the best idea to go to a few matches , so thats what i'll do.  i guess I just got too excited about finding new guns to buy for an awsome new hobby.  is the action fairly slow in the fall and winter.  if so  should i just settle down and ride the storm out till spring? I live south of kansas city 40 miles. thanks Ryan

[B_Koes]

Howdy Ryan!  We may be almost neighbors and not even know it.  Of course it depends on which side of the state line you're living.  I haven't shot any cowboy matches yet, but I've assembled some of the important pieces (pistolas & rifle).  Maybe next year we will see each other at a match or two.

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Ryan and B_K,
Sorry you aren't in my neck of the woods.  Have a fun set of "loaners" for those that need 'um.  I'm betting that there will be like-minded cowboys in your area that will have a pair of wheelguns to load out.  
Cheyenne