CAS Rifle Question

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shortround

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We have just had our second Cowboy match here in Newfoundland . I am really interested in this shooting style and am going to pick up some new toys .Like I need a reason.

To that end I would like some advice on rifle calibre choice . I am shooting .45LC in my revolver and was considering it for my rifle as well. However most of the rifle targets were at distance so I thought that .45-70 may be better suited to the job ?

Any input would be greatly appreciated

shortround
 
A Marlin in 45 Long Colt would be a good choice. Normally we don't put rifle targets past 40 yards for a regular match. Typically they are 25 or less. Some of the targets are smaller but also closer. Cowboy action shooting is not a marksman game. Targets should be easy to hit by most everyone. For more cowboy action picture check out the Winnipeg Revolver & Pistol site. http://www.mts.net/~wrpa

Img9212.jpg


The following had two distant targets. About 35 and 40 yards. Diamond target is about 18 inches wide and 24 inches high, triangle about half that. This distance is used once and a while but not typical.
sParker4.jpg
 
HOWDY ; I shoot my 45colt Marlin with 250 grain bullets at 900 feet per second. This load is good also for silohette shooting out to 100 yards in field pistol targets. JUST how darn far out is them targets ? How small ? If a good shooter can not hit the target 10 times in 8 seconds the target is too small or to far .
45/70 are only side match guns .
 
Well so far so good, It is clear that I will need a pistol calibre rifle . The reason I was asking about the .45-70 was that the distance targets were set at 75yds. I guess that this was due to the fact that nearly everyone with a leaver gun uses 30-30 due to the fact that these guns have been moose guns for years before learning of CAS.
 
shortround said:
We have just had our second Cowboy match here in Newfoundland . I am really interested in this shooting style and am going to pick up some new toys .Like I need a reason.

To that end I would like some advice on rifle calibre choice . I am shooting .45LC in my revolver and was considering it for my rifle as well. However most of the rifle targets were at distance so I thought that .45-70 may be better suited to the job ?

Any input would be greatly appreciated

shortround
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I am also just getting started in SASS/CAS. I checked a few forums, asked a few gun store clerks, and did some reading, and I made my decision to go with .357 caliber. I bought my Marlin 1894 from P&D in that caliber. Just ordered my Ruger New Vaquero in that caliber too. The main reason is that I can shoot both in either .357 magnum, or in .38 special. Both are more common brass to find if you're realoading your own as well. (one more facet of the hobby I will be getting into).

I hope my two cents has helped shed some light on this for you.

Good luck shooting on the Rock.
 
Howdy ; 30 / 30 ,sounds like fun to me . call it the "Tom Horn " catergory .
Lead bullets and a light load of unique would work . Use what you got and enjoy . Its at a local club level with your own targets so great .
Getting a rifle in the same caliber as the handgun is normal . BUT I do not live with moose walking down main street ,.A 45/70 starts to sound prety good , just in case a moose charges the fireing line at lunch time.
 
csmith99 said:
I am also just getting started in SASS/CAS. I checked a few forums, asked a few gun store clerks, and did some reading, and I made my decision to go with .357 caliber. I bought my Marlin 1894 from P&D in that caliber. Just ordered my Ruger New Vaquero in that caliber too. The main reason is that I can shoot both in either .357 magnum, or in .38 special. Both are more common brass to find if you're realoading your own as well. (one more facet of the hobby I will be getting into).
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I shoot a couple of Ruger Blackhawks in .357 (I shoot 38 Special) for the pistols and 44 Magnum in a Marlin 1894. I had the Marlin long before I knew about CAS so I use it because I had it. It's not a big deal having a rifle in a separate calibre (as long as they are clearly dissimilar) compared to the two handguns. Even so I am still on the lookout for a marlin in .357 magnum. I have less of a concern about loosing 38 Special brass compared to loosing the 44 Magnum.

First thing to remember about CAS is that it's supposed to be fun. Of course we all want to do our best but this is not a "serious" sport. If you have any question please ask. The more discussion we have on it the more individuals we may be able to rope into shooting it. :)
 
John in B.C. said:
Has anyone tried the Uberti Colt Lightning repro?
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I shoot one. The first one I had, had multible problems, sent it back. The second one is more than reliable and fun to shoot.
 
Are there any feeding issues with .38sp in a designated
.357mag rifle.

I have noticed that most rifles specify one or the other so I am suspecting o.a. length of the round is a factor.
 
John in B.C. said:
Are there any feeding issues with .38sp in a designated
.357mag rifle.

I have noticed that most rifles specify one or the other so I am suspecting o.a. length of the round is a factor.
Click to expand...
Jphn, I have a Marlin 1894C in .357 Magnum, and my owners manual offers the following statement. Hope this helps.



If your rifle is chambered for 357 Magnum,​

it is designed to handle 357 Magnum factory-
loaded ammunition (except wad cutters
and shot shells). It will also function
with 38 Special cartridges that are within
the length parameters shown below.
(NOTE: Since 38 Special cartridges are
shorter than 357 Magnums, their use can
cause a lead buildup in the forward part of
the chamber. Be sure to thoroughly clean
the chamber with a wire brush after using
38 Specials.)
Minimum overall cartridge length — 1.400"
Maximum overall cartridge length — 1.590"​
 
I'm real partial to my Uberti 'Winchester' Model '73 in .357; I shoot 158 grain Cowboy FPRN in .38 Spl.: I have some jacketed .357 magnum that I dump in the berm after the match that help with the leading :) .

I also have a Marlin M94 that my daughter shoots in CAS, and we have had no problems with it as long as the magazine screw is tight.
 
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"...feeding issues with .38sp in a designated .357mag rifle..." Load .357 cases to .38 Special velocities. Eliminates any possible feeding issues and the lunk gunk build up in the chamber.
 
Bear Child Potts said:
I'm real partial to my Uberti 'Winchester' Model '73 in .357; I shoot 158 grain Cowboy FPRN in .38 Spl.: I have some jacketed .357 magnum that I dump in the berm after the match that help with the leading :) .

I also have a Marlin M94 that my daughter shoots in CAS, and we have had no problems with it as long as the magazine screw is tight.
Click to expand...


Bear Child, Yeah I was thinking about the same thing. A couple of jacketed rounds should clean the lead out. Wouldn't jacketed .38sp's do the same thing?
 
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Yep, jacketed .38's should do it. A number of pards in our posse do that. I just haven't got any for my .45LC '66 Yellow Boy.
Before you spend $$ on the Lightning, try it and the 1866 and 1873's before you buy. You might decide differently.
On the matter of rifle targets, SASS describes "Metal and paper targets of generous size.."
and suggest distances of 13 to 50 yards for 16" X 16" targets.
Have a look at the Shooters Handbook at 3W.sassnet.com for details, guidelines etc followed at sanctioned events.
Have fun!!
 
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