Cowboy Action Questions

BigPaul · Rookie Member Joined: Dec 10, 2009 Posts: 8

Ok guys and Gals, I have a couple questions. I am going to jump in to CAS and want opinions on barrel length and bullet type. I have 2 guns on hold. both Uberti's one is 4 3/4 barrel and one 5 1/2. I am leaning towards the 4 3/4 due to the feel. It just points natural for me. I am a very good "point" shooter and rarely use sights out to 25 yards. Will the shorter barrel be a handicap or is it common. Second question is about bullet. I reload everything and cast several types. What is a good bullet for this type of Shooting. Thanks guys.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: Cowboy Action Questions

I used to shoot a lot of CAS before this job took away my life. Most CAS shooting is relatively close up so the short barrel should be fine. I used a 4.5" and a 7" Vaquero and the longer barrel can slow you down drawing. If I get active again I'd stay with a 5.5" or less. You do know that you'll need two handguns, right? Ruger sells a matched set of New Vaqueros specifically for CAS ...

I suggest that you use the same load in your handguns and rifle and for this reason I always used round nose bullets. Sometimes a semiwadcutter would hang up in my rifle (Marlin). I'd optimize the load for the rifle and then make sure it shot OK in the handguns.

I shoot .45 Colt but, if I was starting from scratch, I'd go with the .357 Mag/.38 Special. A bit cheaper and less recoil. I'd use .357 Mag brass and load some mild stuff, keeping within SASS rules.

Keep us posted on what you decide on!

Donut Slayer · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Cowboy Action Questions

I've heard, maybe pumpkinslinger can correct me if i'm wrong, but heavy bullets will knock over the plates better. I mean heavy bullets will shoot thru sticks and twiggs better right pumpkinslinger???? Shocked

(just picking at you)

slimjim · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Cowboy Action Questions

Donut Slayer wrote:

heavy bullets will shoot thru sticks and twiggs better right pumpkinslinger?

Oouch!

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: Cowboy Action Questions

LOL! Well, 139 grain SSTs from a .280 won't shoot through sticks and kill deer on the other side...

As for knocking over plates... Most of the targets I shot in CAS were hanging plates anyway, nothing to knock down. We did do a "Custer's Last Stand" stage once where a team of three shooters had to knock over 30 bowling pins as fast as possible with the rifles. That was (excuse the pun) a real blast!

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:22 am Post subject: Re: Cowboy Action Questions

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

We did do a "Custer's Last Stand" stage once where a team of three shooters had to knock over 30 bowling pins as fast as possible with the rifles.

That sounds like it involves some reloading. What were the tricks to faster times?

stovepipe · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:19 am Post subject: Re: Cowboy Action Questions

Gun- too personal for me to recomend. Only you can answer that question by "feel". I like short barrels for fast shooting. Them Beretta/Uberti's are some fine fine pistols.

Bullets- soft lead ONLY, heavy and SLOW. Very slow to allow follow up and keep splat down and they WILL chrony your loads (I hear) if they suspect too hot so, be prepared for that. The action is really close so....

Getta ton of ideas here...

www.sassnet.com/

"The minimum standard for center-fire smokeless ammunition used in all SASS matches
State, Regional, National, International, and World Championship Competitions is not less
than a minimum power factor of 60 and no velocity may be less than 400 fps. The maximum
velocity standard for revolvers is 1000 fps. The maximum velocity standard for rifles is 1400
fps. Pocket pistols, derringers, and long-range rifles are exempt from the power factor and
velocity requirements."