Cowboy Action Questions

[hunter64]

Started gathering some stuff to start cowboy action and need a couple of questions answered.
1. I have some shotguns, double barreled ones are 30" and kind of long. What kind of distances do you use the shotgun for in Cowboy style shooting, do I need a shorter barrel gun and what kind of chokes do I need it any.

2. What are the typical distances for the revolvers to shoot at, or what should I regulate my saa's to shoot at. 25 yards, 15 yards etc.

Thanks for any info.

 

[BEARMAN]

The distances in Cowboy Action shooting are close, for pistol about 6 to 10 yards, SHOTGUN is about 15 or so yards, rifle might be 25 yards, maybe more. In the U.S. distances are reported to be even closer. They want people to hit the target , the good ones hit them faster. I have used long barreled shotguns and they work okay, you put more pellets on the target and it goes down faster. My suggestion is go to a club match and see what others are using and what is working for them. Be prepared to have fun and not win at your first match because there a others who have been doing this for longer than you. But if you keep your ears and mind open to what the others tell you, in a little while you will be nipping at their heels.

 

[hunter64]

Found the range masters guide book and you are right, very short distances. Pistol is min 7 and max 10 yards. Shotgun I think was max 16 yards and rifle was 50 yards. I think a 30" shotgun is a bit long but it is better than nothing.

 

[VICIOUS]

HOWDY . 30 inch is a bit tough if you encounter props ,windows , doors , fences, 20 inchs is the common length. I like 22 to 24 inch. Improved cylinder is a good choke or cylinder with 1 1/8 ounce of shot to get enough lead on target to knock it down.
Use what you got and enjoy. Lots of time to get out the hack saw later.