20ga for Cowboy Action Shooting

[The Cold Lake Kid]

Just stay away from Black Hills Leather in Texas, unless you like bad service and being lied to. Geez, I wonder if they are liberals/democrats?

That is disappointing to hear.
I originally bought from Rudi Lanzano of Black Hills Leather about 23 years ago and they have held up great and still look like new.
Do you know if the ownership has changed?
These are the originals and they are used almost every Saturday, March to early November.
The only care given is a tennis ball in the mouth of the holsters.

 

[The Cold Lake Kid]

Lots of great tips. Another question. Are shot shells and spare rifle rounds typically worn on a second belt separate from holster belt? I see slides that hold shotgun rounds and rifle rounds.

Due to bad knees, old age and decrepitude, I don't add a lot of extra rifle and pistol cartridges to my gun belt.
I only carry a couple of extra rounds, on the belt, to use if I have a dud and I want to try to preserve a CLEAN MATCH.
(My times are in the dumpster these days)
I use a separate belt to hold shotgun shells. Just enough for the stage and a couple of extras in case of a miss on the shotgun.
Red Storm, Regulator on the left and C.L. Kid on the right. Note the separated shotgun shell belts.

 

[Alex McKr]

fwm: Most shooters prefer carrying their shotgun rounds on a separate, dedicated belt. This, usually worn just above the main gun belt. In most cases, featuring 10 or more shotshell loops. These will vary a bit in configuration, depending on the individual's shooting style.

Most stage instructions won't require that many shells expended....usually 4-plus is the norm. But...misses can and do happen. So a few spare shells are normally included. In most cases, a shooter can get away with 6-8 shotshells on their belt, or slider.

My shotshell belt features an additional 10-round strip for carrying spare pistol/rifle cartridges. This, immediately to the right of the last loop on the shotshell belt. Within easy reach of my right hand, when performing rifle/pistol reloads on the clock. This is far more cartridges than needed under most circumstances, though. Usually 4-5 is plenty. On either the belt, or a slider.

By the way, pistol reloads aren't seen very often, these days. Most times, it's a rifle reload. But, a shooter should still practice this skill. As pistol reloads do happen, from time to time.

Some shooters will prefer sliders. In most cases, these are easy to set up and access. Oftentimes, a shooter will reverse their belt and holster setup, leaving the buckle in the back. In this way, the entire "front" of the belt is free to hold either shotshell or cartridge sliders. It works.

Or, when wearing a dedicated shotshell belt, a cartridge slider may be attached to the shooter's gun belt.** Usually either to one side or the other of the buckle. Depending on preference. I've also done this in the past. Slider mounted immediately right of the gun belt's buckle. Simply a matter of dropping my right hand down, to access a cartridge. Worked well. Though since then, have come to prefer the cartridges mounted on the shotshell belt.

Some shooters will even wear a cartridge slider immediately behind either holster. Tried this....found it a bit awkward. But, does work for some.
Also, you will see cartridge loops directly attached to a gun holster. A fairly good workaround.

**Note: Shotshell sliders may not be attached to a shotshell belt. This is disallowed, under SASS rules. Refer to the SASS Handbook, for further details.

Some shooters even prefer a bandolier-type of shotshell/cartridge belt. This...slung diagonally across the chest. Not seen all that often but, another alternative.

As you can see, there are a number of options a shooter can follow. It all depends on personal preference.

Hope this helps.

Al
ps: Since your location is SW Ontario. Be sure to check the OSASF website, for upcoming matches. Lots going on.

 

[fwm]

Thanks. I was reading the SASS handbook but I’m confused about categories. I think we would be in “open” as our revolvers are 38/357. Our rifle is an Uberti 1866 in 44-40 ( I’m trying to find one in 38) and we have a couple coach guns and now an 1897 clone on the way from Marstar. I’m leaning towards trying Wildbunch myself and I have a 1911 in 45. I believe the rifle would have to stay 44-40 for Wildbunch?

 

[Alex McKr]

fwm: You are free to compete with the guns/calibers you currently own, without restriction.....for the most part. "Open" categories, would include: Cowboy/Cowgirl. Plus, any of the age-related, ie: Forty-Niner. Senior. Cattle Baron, and so on. These are just a few examples. The age-related categories are pretty extensive.

As well as shooting style- specific categories, like: Gunfighter and Duelist/Double Duelist.

Refer to Section Two of the Handbook, for complete details.

So, aside from the hassle of having to mix/match calibers....you won't have many...if any, restrictions. Simply pick the category that fits. Or, just enter as a 'Cowboy'.

You will only run into caliber/firearm restrictions, within a few very narrow categories. For example: Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl. There are specific dress requirements within this category, too. The Handbook provides information on all the category requirements.

At any official SASS sanctioned match, overall scores will be calculated with regards to your chosen category. So, if you competed as a Forty-Niner, for example... your position within the scores would be compared to all others in that age category. The winner decided by best overall time. And so on.

At the club level, scoring is quite a bit more casual. With scores usually based on ranking by overall time, regardless of shooter category.

As far as Wild Bunch goes, rifle calibers start at .38 and go up to .45. So, your 44-40 is perfectly acceptable. As would be a .38/357 rifle.

Hope this makes sense.

Al

ps: Age related: 'Forty-Niner' ....49 years, and up. 'Senior'...60-65. 'Silver-Senior'...65-70......and so on.

 

[old303]

On first reading the SASS rulebook can sound like you have to go Classic or B-Movie as a costume class, and Duelist or Gunfighter as a shooting style, but in fact you can take a vanilla flavour and not go into any of those. A fairly basic costume will do, just don't wear anything that screams post-1899, and you can draw both revolvers sequentially and fire them double-handed like you learned to shoot a handgun this century or even previous century.

 

[old303]

Thanks. I was reading the SASS handbook but I’m confused about categories. I think we would be in “open” as our revolvers are 38/357. Our rifle is an Uberti 1866 in 44-40 ( I’m trying to find one in 38) and we have a couple coach guns and now an 1897 clone on the way from Marstar. I’m leaning towards trying Wildbunch myself and I have a 1911 in 45. I believe the rifle would have to stay 44-40 for Wildbunch?

As a couple sharing handguns at a match it can be a bit of a scramble to meet up at the unloading table or the loading table every stage, and that can end up being the top reason for one of you going Wild Bunch so the other can keep the revolvers.

 

[Alex McKr]

fwm: Old303 is right. In most categories, there is no practical restriction as to whether handguns are shot single, or two handed. With only a few exceptions: Gunfighter, and Duelist, being two common examples. Which specify single-handed, only. The Handbook provides details on any restrictions.

You will see that the majority of competitors shoot using a double-handed grip.

Here's a tip: If you and your son are sharing firearms, a common practice is to shoot at a different position in the shooting order, from the other. This should provide adequate time for shooters to swap firearms. Most clubs are very accommodating, in this regard. It's always a good idea to let the Match Director know before the match. So that if either shooter needs a bit of extra time or help, the Director or other shooters, will be able to assist.

Al

 

[Garand]

I wear a 6 ctge shotgun slide in front of the holster worn on my left side and a 2 ctge slide right behind the left holster. No second belt for either myself nor my wife.

 

[Garand]

That is disappointing to hear.
I originally bought from Rudi Lanzano of Black Hills Leather about 23 years ago and they have held up great and still look like new.
Do you know if the ownership has changed?
These are the originals and they are used almost every Saturday, March to early November.
The only care given is a tennis ball in the mouth of the holsters.

Rudy was still running it 5 years ago when I bought a rig for B Western.

 

[fwm]

Thanks for clarifying classes. Great to hear that 38/357 is allowed for Wildbunch as I’d really like to get our rifle the same as revolvers and I can’t do anything about them at this time.

 

[Alex McKr]

fwm: Having matching revolver/rifle calibers is the ideal scenario. Less hassle and fewer mix-ups. Or worse still....forgetting to bring one box or the other of ammo. Still, no reason not to compete. Just takes a bit more planning and care, when packing for the match. I know several shooters who regularly run mismatched calibers. It works.

Al
ps: Ellwood Epps currrently lists an Uberti 1873 carbine chambered in .357/38, for sale. May be worth looking at. If your current 1866 is also an Uberti, this opens up a lot of possibilities. As cowboy action competition parts are readily available for these rifles. Check out Rusty Wood Trading, for selection. This includes revolver parts, too....Uberti, Pietta, etc.
The site also includes competition parts , for 1897 pump: 6-ashot conversion kit. Perfect for Wild Bunch. Also, some Stoeger S X S upgrades....firing pins, etc.
Peter Riedel(Rusty) is also an active cowboy action competitor. So very familiar with what it takes to run top performing cowboy action guns. Likely one of....if not the the best... cowboy action gunsmiths in the country, in my opinion. I've had work done by him. Highly recommended.

 

[Garand]

I stopped using the same caliber in both rifle and pistol 10 years ago. My preferred rifle is a Uberti M73 carbine in .45 Colt (or my Uberti M73 carbine in .357, if I can steal it back from my wife who "BORROWED" it 2 years ago). My preferred pistols, since 1997 are Original Ruger Vaqueros in .44 mag. I went with a combination that gives me the most accuracy. I use a loading block and the base of my .45 Colt cartridges have a big red stripe on them with a felt marker so I do not make stupid mistakes.

The most important advice I can offer, is that BEFORE YOU SPEND any money read the SASS shooters handbook, chose what category suits you and spend accordingly. Different categories have different requirements for guns, leather and clothing, buy once buy intelligently. We all can offer advice but money is getting harder to come buy these days.

Alex shot a match this weekend at the club in Granum, south of Calgary. At the club meeting attached to the match this years Canadian Nationals will be held in Mission BC, next years match will be held in Granum, Republic of Alberta, hope to see you there.

 

[Alex McKr]

Garand: Yours is good advice. All of us have to be careful of every dime, these days.

Granum is just a short drive from Claresholm. In a very pretty part of the Republic of Alberta. Got close family friends there. Might just have to hit up the folks in Claresholm for a place to bunk for a few days.

Co-incidentally, a fellow cowpoke showed up at this weekend's match, sporting a pair of .44 Mag. Blackhawks. He favours .44 Special, for his cowboy loads. Shoots an 1873, chambered in .44-40. Rings the plates with authority.

Then, there's another shooter who likes his Uberti-made 1872 Colt Open Tops, in .45 Colt. With an 1866, in .44-40. Will likely share the same posse with him, in a couple of weeks. He marks his cases boldly, too. Shoots classic, Frontier Cartridge Duelist style. A pleasure to watch him in action. If you can see him, through the smoke!

I've always stuck to .38/.357. For both pistols and rifles. Been loading and shooting these cartridges for decades, so was an easy choice for cowboy action.

Al

 

[Garand]

My wife's family is in Claresholm, but we usually stay in the Best 7 Motel in the south end of town as we have so much gear it is just easier to check into a motel where I can backup to within 3 feet from the rooms door.

 

[fwm]

Thanks again. Next step is get some leather and a couple hats and we should be able to dip our toes in the water. The closest match is an hour away and I think a couple different options 1 1/2- 2hrs drive so I'm sure we can get to one or more.

 

[fingers284]

Using .38's and either 44 or 45 caliber guns is an easy distiguisement between the two...the trouble multiplies when a shooter has .45 pistols and a 44-40 rifle and not mark the cases for easy identification....inevitably they will poke one of those .45's in the tube of their rifle and when they are shooting "at speed " and ram that .45 into the tapered chamber of the 44-40 it is wedged in tight and only a squib rod will remove it...seen it happen more than any other mix-up problem and it will shut you down mid stage because of the tight wedge.

 

[Alex McKr]

Fingers284: I've witnessed the 45/44-40 cartridge mix-up more than once, too Can be a real hard learning experience. Every shooter of my acquaintance who shoots 45/44-40, always clearly mark their cases, to avoid mix-ups.

fwm: Some really good matches coming up, over the summer. I usually don't like to pick favourites but, if you're anywhere in the London area, Crumlin puts on outstanding cowboy action matches. Be sure to check the OSASF site, for match dates.

There are plenty of other great matches within a 2 hour drive, from most parts of SW Ontario. Including: Sarnia, Guelph, Dunnville and Decew(Thorold). Just to name a few. A full calendar of events is listed on the OSASF website.

Al

ps: A good local place to shop for hats: Pleasant Ridge. Tac shop, just outside Brantford. Have shopped there, in the past. Good service. Another: Canter-lope, in Thamesville. Both stores are online. Worth checking out.

 

[Poffels]

I got this itch after visiting a great Cowboy range setup in Courtenay BC, I grabbed a couple rifles and a SXS but now with what happened in the election it looks like I will never get any pistols. NOT HAPPY!

 

[Alex McKr]

Poffels: We all share your unhappiness. This current situation is bad, and likely to get a lot worse, with Carney in power. Especially, with the spectre of a Liberal majority looming. In the meantime, about all us gun enthusiasts can do, is try to remain optimistic. The current regime can't last, forever.
The Valley Regulators do have a great set up.