Thinking of trying cowboy shooting but need some advice

[lostone1413]

I've been thinking of giving the cowboy shooting a try. I want to get a gun that is reliable but not going to put me in the poor house. I reload for 38/357 I was wondering if they use a gun in that cal. If they do what do you recommend and if they don't what would be a good gun to start with?? Also if they do use a 38 is their special reloads I need to make or can you use standard reloads like I shoot with the GP100?? Thanks

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy and Welcome!

Here is my standard newbie advice.
Pistols - Ruger Vaqueros in 357, blued with 5 1/2 barrels
Rifle - Marlin 1894C in 357
Shotgun - Stevens 311

These are all sturdy, well made guns that are widely available at fair prices.  If (and when) you decide to change guns or calibers, these will sell fairly well.

CAS loads must not exceed 1000 fps in a pistol.  You will find the standard 38 special load a good place to start.  Also, the bullets must be solid lead.

Keep asking questions, that's why most of us hang out on these goldarn boards.

Adios,

[Cuts Crooked]

Bix Hext tol' ya right pard! The .38 Special is acceptable fer CAS, even in the hysterically accurate outfits like NCOWS  :wink: , because when the game was just starting up there were very few guns available in "period correct" chamberings. As CAS grew and more chamberings were ressurected by the manufactures, .38 Special was Grandfathered as acceptable because so many shooters already had that chambering in their CAS guns.

In fact .38 Special is so popular that it has remained the standard for calibrating the reactive targets used in the game! It's also the most common caliber seen in the hands of Champions in CAS!

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Here is a site that will give you a bunch of info:  http://www.curtrich.com/cowboyphotos.html

Old Capt Baylor has been in the game for many years.

Here are a couple of sites where you can buy CAS guns.  I've bought off both and have been pleased.
http://www.gunsandammoauctions.com/user/Categories.asp
http://www.auctionarms.com/

Another is the SASS classified site:  http://www.sassnet.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=4    Seems everyone is selling something on it.

You can also check www.sassnet.com to find a club in your area.  Many times they have members selling guns.

Another path is to get all new guns in a caliber you don't reload :grin:  I just did that with my wife.  She is getting a pair of Ruger .32's--so I had to get a conversion for the Dillon SDB, brass and a .32 mold and sizing die.  Still have leather to look at (not to mention the clothing).  All is cheap if she stays with it.

Let us know what other questions you have.

Cheyenne R

[howdy doody]

Not only is .38spl/.357  acceptable, but by far that is the most popular too.

Since you have been loading that caliber, go with that. Lead bullets are necessary, but you can load 38/357 brass you already have.

[jbr]

Not to mention, if it hasn't already been said, the .38spec is also the cheapest round to reload.  If you are just starting out, every $ helps!

[ironfoot]

Agree with everything above. I shoot Rugers with .38 special loads. I use that caliber because I had already started loading it before I started cowboy action. It is a good beginner cartridge. Economical to reload. Easy to reload with the straight walls on the case. It was my first metalic cartridge to reload and as a new reloader I felt a little more confident thinking that if I was shooting a .38 special in a gun built for .357 magnum, I had an extra margin of safety, especially if the gun was a strong gun like the Rugers. I started with the Blackhawk I already owned, then traded for Vaqueros after awhile. One can even take some "authenticity" comfort in knowing it was designed as a blackpowder cartridge, although I don't think it was ever commercially sold that way.
After being around other shooters though, I do have to admit having some admiration/envy for the .45 Colt. It is THE cowboy cartridge. Some guys like the .38-40 or .44-40 for their authenticity, the fact that rifles were also chambered for them, and the fact that they are not as common.

[howdy doody]

If my ship ever comes in I would like to shoot 38-40 since I only shoot BP. Meanwhile for my cartridge pistols I shoot 38 spls in stainless RVs and make plenty of smoke, boom and soot with them. I bought them 5 years ago when I started CAS and they have served me well. I branched out to ROAs and of course Remingtons too, but the Marlin rifle I bought back when I started still is as good as the day I bought it, although it has been slicked some and the only thing that ever broke was the front firing pin and I replaced that with a one piece. If you are on a budget it pays to go to heavy duty shooters, at least to start with, IMHO

[mac266]

My suggestion is go to www.sassnet.com and click on the link that says "find a cowboy action shooting club near you" or something like that.  It will tell you every cowboy action club in your state; some have links to their own sites.  Go watch a shoot; just make sure you bring safety glasses and ear plugs (both required).  You can dress western if you want to (everyone else will be!).

Once you decide this game is for you (and believe me, you will) you will need the following:

-2 single action pistols.  38 special is definately an acceptable caliber

-1 lever action rifle - must be chambered in a pistol caliber.  There are many out there available in .357 / .38 special

-1 shotgun - must be either a side-by-side (with or without exposed hammers), an exposed hammer pump (like the winchester 97) or a lever action (i.e. winchester 1887).

-leather holster rig for your pistolas.
 
-western clothes.  Modern blue jeans, western shirt, cowboy hat, cowboy boots are acceptable.  The more you get into the game, however, the more historical you will want your costume to become.  GET THE GUNS FIRST!  Shooting is what it's all about, anyway.

A few things you might want but are not required:

-gun cart.  That's a lot of guns and ammo to be dragging around from stage to stage.  Some people get a pair of saddle bags and carry it all around.  I used some old green army ammo cans for awhile.  But, the gun cart is much simpler.  You can build one (as inexpensive or extravagant as you like) or buy one.  

-Shotgun belt or slide.  It's not a required part of your leather rig, but it's easier to get to your ammo for those quick reloads.  For the first six months I just put the rounds in my pocket.

Does it sound like you need a lot of stuff?  Well, you do.  And, believe me, I know how expensive it can be.  Even if you only have one of the required four guns, show up to a match.  You'll be surprised how many people will be tripping over themselves to help out a newbie by loaning out their guns.  It's a very relaxed, friendly environment with a little shootin' thrown in.  You'll love it, I'm sure.

Hope to shoot with you sometime!

Cyrus Cassidy SASS #45437