Cowboy Action- I want in - Help!!

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clegger

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So, I've always been a hunter and a big sporting clays guy. I was at my local gunshop looking at some ruger vaqueros and the owner says

"these do well in CAS".

I reply "what's that?"

Now that I've seen the videos and found out there's some kind of league in Alberta I want in!!

If someone could point me in the right direction and how to join a club, petty much get my feet wet, I would be very grateful.

I'm in Gibbons,Ab just north of Edmonton.

I'm also curious as to where these events are goin down as all the range I go too specifically say no ground/metal targets allowed.
 
http://www.sawws.com/ Events Page

This is a Saskatchewan organization, affiliated with SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), they are the most organized group dedicated to Cowboy Action in either Alberta or Saskatchewan. While not all clubs are SASS affiliated, most pay lip service to the rules and regulations of SASS. BEFORE you spend any money go to the SASS website and download both the shooters manual and the RO1 manual for a good idea of what to purchase. It saves you buying twice!
 
Albert Frontier Shootist.com About a 2 hr drive from Gibbons ( I know of two other members from that area so car pooling may be an option.

Lawrence claims Sask is better organized than Ab but I think we can hold our own on a quality Cowboy experience. We have over $40,000 in steel targets and stands of varying configurations that are used in our monthly matches (May till Nov.) We also hold the Ab. provincials and Canadian Championship of Cowboy Shooting, a three day shoot the Aug long weekend).

Because of the new range with camping available at the site as we had at previous ranges ;
All monthly matches this year are planned for two days, a dedicated Cowboy match on the Saturday and a Wild Bunch combined Cowboy fun/practice match for the Sunday.

The new full weekend camping "onsite" will get the "after shooting socializing & meals" back to what we were used too previously.



We will be using a new range site this year that will allow us to camp
 
Get ready to drop some cash on clothing. Guy in AB will have the hat and boots. snicker.
Friggin' holsters and clothing are almost more than the firearms. You'll need at least one SAA type revolver(Vaqueros), a lever action rifle and a side by each shotgun. And a new name.
 
Most Cowboy Action shooters don't mind helping up a new shooter for the first 2 or 3 matches lending things like leather, guns, ammunition, just don't abuse their generosity. Read the SASS books it will give you an idea where to start. If you go to "Leathertown" in the US, a set of holsters could cost you as little as $200. USD delivered. My wife actually shops at Goodwill for some of the clothing. I bought a hat a few years ago at Peavey for $28.00. Past your basic purchases, depending how enthusiastic you get about this, determines how your wallet thickness shrinks. Ignore "sunray" he doesn't even shoot CAS. When you finally buy your firearms buy quality and you will never have to replace them.
 
Thanks for all the great advice,

I'm already getting the wife involved as she's incredibly talented at leather work and has already commissioned quite a few piece e.i chaps, holsters, and such. As for gear I've got the lever gun (henry big boy .45LC) that I've cooked up a couple of cowboy loads as well as black powder loads. The shotgun I can acquire through a friend, and the ruger vaqueros are the real big purchase.

I'd love to give her a shot before I jump in head first, and will be contacting a fellow CGN"r that offered me some guidance.

I'd have to say that SUNDANCE is right, as in I've already got the boots and hat.

One last thing;

If anybody wants any leather work done, please contact me as i would love to put you in contact with the miss"s
 
there has been some good advise and a lot of one side opinions in this thread.
if you would like a one on one ...PM me and i will be more than happy to help you out and steer you in the right direction.
as for the guns
there are way more choices out there than just ruger's there are uberti's, pietta's, and many other copies if the 1873's and so on and if you are able you can always buy colts.
as for shotgun you do not have to have a SXS you can also use a Winchester or clone 1897
for the costuming ...Lawrence is right on that one. download the SASS handbook so you can pick a category that you would like to be and then you can save some money buy only buying what suites your alias and category. ... all as i am saying is that there are a lot more options available to you depending on the class you pick.
zeek.
 
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First of are you over 50? If so you will love it!! If you're still in your 30's or early 40's Id go to an event before sinking any money into it. It's a geezer bonanza, and God forbid you don't follow the ettiquette... If they had youth only events (no one over 45 allowed) it would be an amazing hobby.
 
There is a reason Cowboy Action is enjoyed by the 45+ crowd. For one thing winning generally isn't that important, having fun is. This is not a money sport, money is not given as prizes. Having shot numerous other disciplines since '86 I have found it doesn't attract many "I gotta win at any cost jerks", doesn't mean we don't have any, just there are far fewer. This shooting discipline attracts more women than most. My wife loves it for the costuming, so she participates. When I hit a gun store and buy stuff, or want to shoot a march in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana or Arizona there is no complaining about money being "wasted". As a matter of fact I have done more shooting and travelled farther distances to matches since my wife strapped on a set of guns around her waist.

Yep, the 45+ crowd grew up with John Wayne or other B Westerns on Saturday afternoons when we were kids. Unfortunately we don't have a current generation that shares our experiences, but there are exceptions. Last month in Arizona I shot on the same posse with the top Cowboy Action shooter in the WORLD! SHE is 16 years old and it is like poetry in motion to see her shot 24 rds from 4 different guns at 3 different shooting positions in 16 seconds.
 
On match flyers we often posted it as "NO TEARS" If you do not know who Roy Rogers is you may not get it. IT is NOT all about the shooting. You would need to go to a big three day match to understand the whole deal.
Yup I am well over 45, been at CAS for over 20 years, just got my Black Badge for IPSC last year. Its all good shooting whatever cross my sights.
 
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