45 LC Reloading

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Old Birch Legs

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Hi folks, I'm going to get into Cowboy Action Shooting and think I'm going with 45 lc. Approximately how much will it cost to get set up for reloading. Thanks in advance.
 
You can get the full rcbs rockchucker kit for $435 plus dies. You will need to accumulate brass either by buying loaded rounds or buying bulk virgin brass (I actually found it cheaper to buy bulk starline brass rather than buying loaded rounds since 45 lc will cost about $45/50) and you will need about 80 rds per match, add another 40 if you want to shoot a wild bunch secondary match. Where in Ont are you? Just priced it out. 1k starline brass is $284, 1k drg lead Bullets is $92, primers $42, and say $30 for powder= $448. 1k loaded rounds @ $45=$900
 
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If you are north of TO, Barrie has an extremely active cowboy contingent. They shoot twice a month (I am going to a shoot today in fact) they shoot indoors in the winter. Also to shoot cowboy there you don't need to be a member, just have a valid pal, it costs $20/ match with a lunch at the end.
 
I don't shoot cowboy action but do some plinking with a Rossi 92. I cast my own bullets from WW which were more or less free. Have a fair supply of brass from Wolfe reloads. Some of it looked like brand new Starline on it's first load.
I'm probably in for less than 10 cents a round. I bought a Lee 4 die set. Very happy with them. A great big bore plinker rifle.
 
No, although mounted action shooting I believe is shot with blanks, and quick draw I think is shot with wax bullets. Cowboy is shot at metal plates @ approx. 10 yds. in Canada (cfo stipulations although that may vary). A stage is generally 10rds pistol (5 from each gun) 10 rds. rifle, and 4-8 rds. shotgun. Light target loads, most reloading manuals have a page for cowboy action loads in the various calibers used, 38, 45Lc, 44-40 etc
 
Just a reminder about the Lee Loader. I mean the hand tool where you use a mallet. I use one for 38 Spl. It's easy for rimmed revolver cartridges and quicker than you'd think, once you get used to it. Cost me about $50 on Amazon. I added an electronic scale to measure powder, only because I load with Bullseye in tiny amounts (2.8 grains). But many people use dippers, for larger volume loads. I like it fine.
 
For a 2 day Cowboy Match you will need at least 150 pistol and 150 rifle, this will allow you to shoot at least 12 stages and a couple of reshoots if required. I prefer loading on a single stage or turret press for making all my Cowboy Action ammo in .38 Spl, .44 Mag, .45ACP (Wild Bunch) & .45 Colt. I use a Lyman "T" Mag turret press with additional turrets for all required calibers. I believe in quality before quantity. The nice thing about turret presses are that you set your dies once, and once only. The ammunition that I made last year with be the same as the ammunition that I make 2 years from now. Buy a good quality press, I have been using my RCBS RS3 since 1986 and my Lyman "T" Mag since 2012. Cowboy action is addictive once you get started, so buy kit you can make large volumes of ammo, within the first 6 months or less your reloading gear will pay for itself.

You generally purchase cast lead bullets in quantities of 1,000, you may as well purchase 1,000 brass at the same time. Starline brass has the best value when buying in bulk. Plus this will allow you to have extra ammo ready in case a match comes up with short notice.
 
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Pretty good advice from Garand.
I buy my bullets, use a Lee Challenger press, a couple of case trays, a 5-0-5 RCBS scale, Carbide dies, a powder dispenser and a trickle charger.
I use a Hornady tumbler to clean my fired brass.
Personally, I prefer Trail Boss powder because of the bulk. Hard to get a double charge and fills the case nicely. Something I like because I'm not loading a lot or often.
You'll find a lot of good folks in Cowboy Action and make a lot of friends.
Welcome to the fun.

And check out the Single Action Shooting website as well as those of the various clubs around; i.e. The Ottawa Valley Marauders, The Wild Turkey Posse, Ruff's Regulators to name a few.
 
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