Considering Cowboy Action

[Contenderizer]

I am considering getting involved in Cowboy Action Shooting and plan to visit one of the local SASS clubs nearby to see if it is as much fun as it appears. Sure would be nice to get the wife involved also.

Anyway, for some reason I am leaning toward black powder (my decision isn't set in stone) and I have some questions:

Do all of the local clubs have black powder competition? Does it make sense to start with BP - or is it easier to get started with smokeless? Which is cheaper to get into (I'll reload in either case and thought I would use 45 LC for revolver and rifle)?

Shotgun might be the problem for me - I have no idea what start-up costs might be for BP in shotgun and I have no reloading equipment for shotshells in either powder. Are factory shotshells available in BP?

Lastly, I see that some of the clubs shoot 22 Cal. Is this for the beginner, kids and ladies?

Thanks in advance for your advice and help.

[jmarriott]

Marlin makes a 38 special only cowboy gun with faster cycle time than the 45lc. Based in the 357/38 but with a much shorter lever throw.

As far a BP verses smokeless i Don't know.

Seems that the course and the whole shoot varies from place to place shoot to shoot.

Go to a few shoots before setting out as most will share info and loadings.

[GoodOlBoy]

actually most of the clubs I have been around don't do a great deal with the blackpowder end which is sad considering how much cheaper it is to get into a black powder revolver. I love my 45 colt rifle/pistol combination, but if you want to save alot of money on ammo try the 38/357 combo. I often have wished I had gone thataway.

You cannot go wrong with the Ruger 45 colt pistols, nor the marlin 45 colt rifles. Both will take anything from heavy hunting loads to light plinkers. Beware the knockoff cowboy guns out there lest you forget and throw a heavy hunting load in one and detonate metal. That is one of the reasons I now favor the 38/357 models. Even in a knockoff if it says it will take 357 mag then it will take 357 mag and should you drop in a mag shell by mistake during a plinking practice you won't loose anything but a little powder and lead. If you do it during a shoot be prepared to be booted from the shoot and forever have nasty looks cast your way when you approach the firing line afterwards.

Anyway it is up to you. I think the 45 LC is on of the worlds premier pistol hunting rounds and it is a great deal of fun to shoot. But if you are going to shoot it be prepared to spend alot of time reloading, or alot of money on ammo either one. And believe me you are going to have that shoot creep up on you sooner or later that you forgot to load for, and you are going to have to buy a few hundred rounds of off the shelf cowboy loads, and you are going to curse the pricetag.

Welcome to the addiction by the way.

GoodOlBoy

[Contenderizer]

Thanks, Guys, great info. Guess I should visit the local clubs and see if anyone is shooting BP and kind of go from there. No point in trying to get started with BP if there are no peers around for help.

If I go smokeless it would be - for sure - in a smaller cal (I was considering 45LC for BP only). I already have a Rossi lever gun in 38/357 (piece of crap) but it may help get me get started I guess. I keep the Rossi in scabbard and throw it on a horse or in the jeep when I ride fences. Trouble is, it doesn't like lead bullets and the action tends to get jambed-up with lead shavings forcing me to use FMJ. Anyway, that's another problem.

Thanks again

[GoodOlBoy]

Thats an odd problem for the Rossi to have. There are a few model 92 gunsmiths around who can clean that up for you no problemo. My Rossi 92 preferes lead.

GoodOlBoy

[Contenderizer]

Thanks GOB. The problem seems to be with some reloaded 38's and 357's that I was given. They may be a little long, or the gun just doesn't like the brand of bullets (SWC). If I begin shooting it often I'll try something different. Could also have a burr somewhere in the action. In any case, I'm sure the problem can be cured easy enough.

Mine is a 92 SRS Puma that I have just beat to death around the ranch. It keeps shooting though.

[GoodOlBoy]

OK now THAT is a problem with my Rossi. It LOVES RNFP and conical leads, AND conical shaped HPs. It HATES Semi-wadcutters.

Try this page.

http://www.laser-cast.com/38Cal.html

GoodOlBoy