20ga for Cowboy Action Shooting
- Thread starter fwm
- Start date
fwm: If you're concerned about whether 20 gauge loads are powerful enough to engage a knockdown target, here's some info that may be useful:
SASS minimum power factor: 60 .
Note: Normally refers to pistol or rifle ammo. But, shotgun could also be calculated the same way.
How to calculate SASS power factor: Bullet weight in grains( For shotgun: Simply calculate pellet charge in grains) X Velocity. Divide result, by 1000.
That's power factor. Some competitors regularly run 20 gauge in matches. Have yet to see one that wouldn't tip over a knockdown target.
Hope this helps:
Al
SASS minimum power factor: 60 .
Note: Normally refers to pistol or rifle ammo. But, shotgun could also be calculated the same way.
How to calculate SASS power factor: Bullet weight in grains( For shotgun: Simply calculate pellet charge in grains) X Velocity. Divide result, by 1000.
That's power factor. Some competitors regularly run 20 gauge in matches. Have yet to see one that wouldn't tip over a knockdown target.
Hope this helps:
Al
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fwm: In some cases, you may find the 12 gauge more manageable. Depending on the load, 12 gauge recoil can often be more of a soft push( For example: Winchester AA Featherlite, or equivalent loads.), rather than the sharper recoil pulse, of average factory 20 gauge*(At least, that's been my experience).
*The exception: Fiocchi Extra Low Recoil, 20-gauge trainer rounds. Quite soft recoil.
The result: Quicker recovery from recoil, and target re-acquisition. Can be an important factor, in stage times.
If you reload, the ability to tailor low recoil, yet hard-hitting loads, is even greater.
Of course, this is only my subjective observation. If you prefer 20 gauge, by all means compete using one. The knockdowns are still going to drop.
Al
*The exception: Fiocchi Extra Low Recoil, 20-gauge trainer rounds. Quite soft recoil.
The result: Quicker recovery from recoil, and target re-acquisition. Can be an important factor, in stage times.
If you reload, the ability to tailor low recoil, yet hard-hitting loads, is even greater.
Of course, this is only my subjective observation. If you prefer 20 gauge, by all means compete using one. The knockdowns are still going to drop.
Al
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fingers284
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If they dont drop from a 20 ga hit, complain to the match director that his targets are set too firm. Lots of ladies-juniors use 20 ga for main match.
I'm still in the acquiring guns and gear stage. My son would like to try Cowboy Action. We have all the guns mostly just need leather and costume at this point. Fingers crossed we can get to at least one match this summer. Might have to try and 1897 as well, I don't feel comfortable really with either Coach Gun but I understand targets are close. Thanks for all the feedback so far
One of the preferred loads in 12 ga. for Cowboy Action is Winchester "AA" Low Velocity Low Recoil. Muzzle velocity is about 950-980 fps. This is the chosen load for most female Cowboy Action shooters. Happy wife, happy life!
fwm: Some of this info may be useful:
Most original 1897's are in well worn condition. So finding one that won't need some work, could be problematic. There are some good ones out there, though. Depending on what province you're in, be sure to check out any cowboy action club sites. Many will have a buy/sell section. If in Ontario, for example....check out the OSASF site. You might luck into a good, used 1897.
If an 1897 clone may suit, check out Marstar. The shop lists Norinco-made 1897 pumps in stock. May be worth a look.
As far as clothes go, many folks pick up plenty of bargains at thrift shops, etc. But for "period correct" clothiers, here are a few that may be of interest: Wild West Mercantile. Frontier Classics. Historical Emporium. Hornaday Dry Goods. Just to name some of the top ones.
It's worth mentioning that a very simple and basic cowboy outfit can consist of a pair of jeans, long-sleeved shirt. Boots(Can be work boots....but no lug soles). Plus, a suitable cowboy hat. This basic set up will be suitable anywhere. Though most folks will still prefer to dress as authentically, as possible.
As far as gun leather goes...my advice is simple: Buy the best quality leather you can afford. That way, you're getting best quality, durable and long lasting gear, that will last for years and hold up well under hard competitive use. The cheap stuff will always fail, at the worst possible time.
Here are some good sources: Mernickle. Kirkpatrick. El Paso Saddlery. Doc Noper. These are some of the top names in cowboy gun leather. U.S. Makers, but do ship to Canada. There are other custom makers. But, these should give you a good idea what to look for.
For further information on cowboy gear, etc., be sure to visit the Single Action Shooting Society main site. Plenty of good info there.
I recently came across this Canadian source: Leatherworks.Canada. Shop is located in B.C. Have no first hand experience with any of their products, so can't comment further. Still, may be worth checking out.
Another good Canadian source: The Last Best West. Located in Alberta. A variety of products. Including: Hats, leather gear, etc.
As a rule, targets (steel plates) are close. Commonly 10 meters (33 ft), or sometimes closer. Depends on the province, state, etc. The plates will also be fairly large, too. So easy to hit, even for raw beginners.
Hope this info is useful:
Al
Most original 1897's are in well worn condition. So finding one that won't need some work, could be problematic. There are some good ones out there, though. Depending on what province you're in, be sure to check out any cowboy action club sites. Many will have a buy/sell section. If in Ontario, for example....check out the OSASF site. You might luck into a good, used 1897.
If an 1897 clone may suit, check out Marstar. The shop lists Norinco-made 1897 pumps in stock. May be worth a look.
As far as clothes go, many folks pick up plenty of bargains at thrift shops, etc. But for "period correct" clothiers, here are a few that may be of interest: Wild West Mercantile. Frontier Classics. Historical Emporium. Hornaday Dry Goods. Just to name some of the top ones.
It's worth mentioning that a very simple and basic cowboy outfit can consist of a pair of jeans, long-sleeved shirt. Boots(Can be work boots....but no lug soles). Plus, a suitable cowboy hat. This basic set up will be suitable anywhere. Though most folks will still prefer to dress as authentically, as possible.
As far as gun leather goes...my advice is simple: Buy the best quality leather you can afford. That way, you're getting best quality, durable and long lasting gear, that will last for years and hold up well under hard competitive use. The cheap stuff will always fail, at the worst possible time.
Here are some good sources: Mernickle. Kirkpatrick. El Paso Saddlery. Doc Noper. These are some of the top names in cowboy gun leather. U.S. Makers, but do ship to Canada. There are other custom makers. But, these should give you a good idea what to look for.
For further information on cowboy gear, etc., be sure to visit the Single Action Shooting Society main site. Plenty of good info there.
I recently came across this Canadian source: Leatherworks.Canada. Shop is located in B.C. Have no first hand experience with any of their products, so can't comment further. Still, may be worth checking out.
Another good Canadian source: The Last Best West. Located in Alberta. A variety of products. Including: Hats, leather gear, etc.
As a rule, targets (steel plates) are close. Commonly 10 meters (33 ft), or sometimes closer. Depends on the province, state, etc. The plates will also be fairly large, too. So easy to hit, even for raw beginners.
Hope this info is useful:
Al
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Alex, I disagree with your choices on leather regarding new shooters. First you will be investing in firearms that will set you back a fair chunk of change, these will last you for years (if not decades). When it comes to leather, as a new shooter go for something that is functional and low cost, initially. If you decide that you like shooting this discipline and shoot more frequently you are going to develop preferences on your positioning of shotgun shells, spare rifle rds etc. When my wife and I started shooting we went low cost originally and by the second season had shot enough matches to decide a pattern of where we wanted to wear our belt kit. My wife went with a custom made one, I went with a modular one purchased from 4 different states in the US. The first years matches are a learning experience.
Garand: That's a fair assessment. You make some good points. My advice is offered from experience. I'd rather spare any newcomer the frustration and disappointment of struggling with cheap leather.....particularly, holsters. Which always seem to collapse, at the worst possible time in a match.
It's likely fairer to say that a newcomer should buy the best leather they can afford... within their start-up budget. As you say, the first year or so of shooting will soon sort out whether those choices will work long term, or not. Without expending a lot of money.
To the OP: Those leather makers listed in my post represent the pinnacle of the quality cowboy gun leather trade. So, can be pricey. But, what a person can expect, for top quality gun leather. For now....use them as a comparison only, while researching possible choices of your own. Then...should you and your son decide that cowboy action is a sport that appeals to you long term....any of those four gun leather makers would make a good choice.
In the meantime.... I would not recommend buying anything, without first attending a few matches as an observer. Talk to the shooters. See what they prefer for gun leather....and why. Then, go from there.
Al
ps: Marstar also shows reasonably priced gun leather, on their site. May be worth a look.
It's likely fairer to say that a newcomer should buy the best leather they can afford... within their start-up budget. As you say, the first year or so of shooting will soon sort out whether those choices will work long term, or not. Without expending a lot of money.
To the OP: Those leather makers listed in my post represent the pinnacle of the quality cowboy gun leather trade. So, can be pricey. But, what a person can expect, for top quality gun leather. For now....use them as a comparison only, while researching possible choices of your own. Then...should you and your son decide that cowboy action is a sport that appeals to you long term....any of those four gun leather makers would make a good choice.
In the meantime.... I would not recommend buying anything, without first attending a few matches as an observer. Talk to the shooters. See what they prefer for gun leather....and why. Then, go from there.
Al
ps: Marstar also shows reasonably priced gun leather, on their site. May be worth a look.
Talk to the shooters, all of us have spare gear, pistols, rifles, shotguns. leather. Some of us even lend it out so someone can try their first match. So far in the last 6 months I have kitted out 2 shooters completely so they could attend their first match. Both plan on buying rifle and shotguns until the handgun ban disappears (hopefully).
Garand: That's my plan for this upcoming weekend, too. Helping out a couple of newcomers to the sport. Young man and his girl friend. Have no guns or gear of any kind. But, really have a hankering to get involved in cowboy action. Luckily, like you...I can manage to fill in the gaps. Been coaching them on what to expect, over the last couple of weekends. Going to be a fun time.
At the end of it all, that huge grin on a new shooter's face after finishing their first match, is the best part.
The cowboy action community looks after each other. That's just how we roll.
Al
At the end of it all, that huge grin on a new shooter's face after finishing their first match, is the best part.
The cowboy action community looks after each other. That's just how we roll.
Al
