Cowboy Action Calibers

CanadianRedneck

CanadianRedneck

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Ontario
In the very near future I want to get invovled in SASS Cowboy Action. Here is my question:

I am looking at buying a Rossi Ranch Hand, the primary reason is to use as bear defense when backpacking. The reason for the choice of the Ranch Hand is cause I can get a holster for it and that keeps both hands free to use a machette and one open for what ever I need it for.

I've come to the conclusion that if I am going to use a firearm that uses a pistol round, I am going to want to use a 44 mag round for bear defense.

Can I use 44 mag (going out this weekend to buy a reloading kit and manuals) for Cowboy Shooting if I download them?? Also I would like to use one caliber for both my Rossi and revovler so I guess my second question is:

Is there a single action revovler that I can use for SASS that is chambered in 44mag?

Again my primary focus is to be able to holster a non-restricted for backpacking that I can also use for SASS.

Thanks
 
the 'classic' gun seems to be a SAA-1873 or similar. I've never seen one in 44 magnum. The ruger (old) vaquero and blackhawk come in 44, though they're both a bit beefier than the SAA. The (old) vaquero has fixed sights, the blackhawk has adjustable. Neither are exactly authentic period guns, but the vaquero would be closer
 
The Ruger Bisley is the only one in 44 mag.. all the others are 45 colt.

45 colt being the "traditional" caliber... and I would gladly use 45 colt... I just don't want some bear clawing me and chewing on a leg and the first thought threw my mind is... damn I should have gone with the 44 mag.... with that said the Bisley is a pretty bad ass looking revovler!!
 
Uberti also makes the 1873 SAA Cattleman in .44 mag. It's not as common as the 45LC or the 357mag but they are out there.
 
44 special is just a shorter 44 mag and would use most of the same reloading components and the same dies.

I'm not familiar with the different new 1873 Colt copies on the market, but one of them may come in 44 special.
 
Before you WASTE any of your money, download the SASS Shooters handbook from SASSnet.com and read the list of firearms that are acceptable for use in cowboy competition. Non SASS sanctioned club matches allow some deviation, but generally everybody works with their rules.I don't think you will find the Rossi ranch hand listed there. I've been using 2x Ruger Old Style Vaqueros for 15 years in .44 Magnum, great guns. My competition rifle has been a Marlin M1894S in .44 mag.
 
Thanks Garand; I had not thought of the Rossi being allowed or not. If the Rossi is not apporved than I"ll have to get a second lever action. :)
 
Ruger Blackhawks are now acceptable and readily available in 44 mag. However, with all the 45 Colt self defense hot hollow point ammo now available, I would get my 92/94/73 in 45 Colt. Also, your Ranch Hand cannot be used in Cowboy Action. it would not be stable enough on your shoulder, plus I am not sure if they hold a minimum of 10 rounds. I think 10 45 Colts are 16" long, and the Ranch Hand barrel is 12". You could then get Vaqueros or 73 SAA in 45 Colt.
 
PLEASE listen to Garand and Tuco.
Ranchhand would be a good choice for bear, but a VERY BAD choice for CAS.
6 shots and a verry slow reload of the other 4 if you can find a non SASS range that will let you shoot it.
I have one in .45lc that I just bought as a curiosity raffle prize for one of our up future shoots.
Your Choice, but we have all shot CAS for many years and wasted many $K. learning the right equipment to have.
Regards,
Doc SASS#72011/RO2 www.sawws.com
 
The Ranch Hand definetly won't be useable in any realistic manner in a CAS match. As mentioned it doesn't hold enough rounds and is slow to load. Not to mention it is a bear to aim at any sort of longer distance. Sure, it CAN be aimed, but it would have a slow target to target movement to rack the lever, and thus ruining the sight picture, then get it back on target.

So since you would need to get a full size rifle anyway you may as well get your Ranch Hand in .44Mag and then go with whatever you wish for the CAS stuff.

Yes, you CAN use the new Ruger Blackhawks. But with the adjustable rear and oddly shaped front sight which goes with it they lack the smooth clean lines of the 1873 guns.

All in all to go with .44Mag for your woods gun and .45Colt or .38Spl for your CAS setup you're only looking at the cost of a second set of dies, shellplate and maybe a die holder plate. In the long term that cost is pretty minor.
 
Most helpful, thanks guys!! I wanted to gather as much info as possible before I started to lay down money. I don't mind spending money on guns but I also what to be as smart as possible about it.

I think the conclusion I"ve come to is what BCRider put nicely.

Going with the Rossi in .44mag as my backpacking gun. Since 99.9% of the time it most likely will stay in the holster and there for reloading not likely an issue and with the .44mag hopefull if needed for defense I wont need more than a couple rounds.... and the rest of the time it'll be my range toy.

And for CAS, I'll go with the 45 colt and proper firearms.

Its a win win all around I end up with 3 new firearms. I still can justify getting the Rossi AND since it's not going to be of use for CAS I guess I will HAVE ( lol ) to buy a lever that canl be used for CAS.
 
Not three new firearms, four. A pair of revolvers, lever rifle and shotgun. Of course you CAN use a full length side by side but most of us shorten the barrels to a 20 to 22 inch "coach gun" length so maneuvering through a stage isn't so cumbersome.

When you're shopping for a rifle watch the magazine capacity. The TUBE has to hold 10 since you're not allowed to stage the rifle with one up the pipe. This means the 16 inch carbines do not work without a reload in mid stage.
 
As BC said about the coach gun, you can usually find a good coach gun used if you look. If you are lucky you can find one that has already be done up for Cowboy. I just sold my blued one which was all done up because I wanted a shinny nickel one to match my Pa.
 
went to my local gun shop to browse what they had, only to find them closed on Sunday (good on them) So going to check out what they have tomorrow. I also need to start my reading and get better informed in the sport now that I have a nice list of suggestions.
 
lol, I'm on page 22 of 29 of the rule book... I must attend a match or two as a spectator or some practice days at my local club. I'm enjoying the reading but I understand half and kinda get the rest LOL.
 
Just read the part about authorized firearms, that could save you a lot of money in the long run, plus there are a lot of dedicated Cowboy Action shooters on this forum who are more than willing to share their good & bad experiences, which could help you spend your money more wisely. Why buy your kit twice? Also try this site to. http://www.curtrich.com/GettingStarted01.html
 
Last edited:
Garand thanks for that website! The hurdle I was facing now being new to firearms in general and not up on all the terminology was now trying to figure out what firearms were acceptable and which weren't. That site is great!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom