Looking to get into Cowboy Action looking for gun store advice
- Thread starter mmeechan
- Start date
I don't yet as I stated earlier in the thread. Are you suggesting the firearm will function differently when "competing" then it has for the last 800 rounds practicing?
You go see Del and be prepared to get screwed. One of the guys on my posse in the saskatoon match today, has been waiting for over 2 years for Del to deliver pistols he promised. I don't know a Cowboy shooter in Alberta or Saskatchewan that will deal with him. I've been screwed around by him as have at least 4 friends. Buyer BEWARE!
I've also shot in matches with Del in the old Fort Kusk north of Stettler and Rocky Mountain House, if I have my choice I would prefer not to shoot on the same posse with him again.
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I shot a match in Medicine Hat last weekend and on my posse 2 people were using the Henry, one guy shoots about 4-5 club matches a year and the other shoots at least one local match a year. It does good service for novices, but don't expect to place with it.
I'm shooting a match in Saskatoon this weekend and 2 people on my posse are sharing a Henry (its their 3rd match), they have taken excessive time "loading on the clock" compared to the rest of us. The lady and I both accidently ejected a live round on 1 stage today, I was able to load 1 rd off my belt, she wasn't.
I've shot a number of major matches in the last 12 months including Winter Range in Phoenix, Wyoming & Montana State Championships and I seen nobody using a Henry, i don't believe that there is a gunsmith that specializes in that rifle, nor are there aftermarket parts available. When your shooting "on the clock", most rifles and their owners behave differently than they do when they are just plinking. Go with a Uberti, in competition the gun generally runs better than the shooter!
Been thinking about getting set up to take a crack at cowboy action as well. Have looked at the uberti rifles on the Internet( can't seem to find one locally yet) and have handled a new manufacture winchester 92. Just wondering if anyone is using a new model 92 for cowboy action.
I've been shooting Cowboy Action for 15 years now with a .44 Marlin M1894S and I've just changed to a Uberti M73 in .38 Special, cause my wife shoots .38 Spl pistols and this gives me one less caliber to reload for. Rusty Woods Trading Co. in BC sold me and slicked up my M73 for around $2,200. It is worth every cent, I'll never need another Cowboy rifle. As for the M92 clones, I have 3, a 1906 Winchester, a Rossi and a Browning B92 (wifes rifle). They work well but are very sensitive to overall cartridge length. Too short and they will stovepipe of accidently eject when you don't want them to, still setup properly they are very good guns.
Ruger New Vaquero - Uberti 1866 YellowBoy - Stoeger Coach SxS.
I have been using this combo for 2 years, shooting 10 or 12 matches each summer and plenty of practice and have not had a single issue with any of them. I run .38sp in both the lever and the revolvers. All great guns IMHO.
This pair now sport a new set of custom walnut grips - much better than the factory plastic.
I have been using this combo for 2 years, shooting 10 or 12 matches each summer and plenty of practice and have not had a single issue with any of them. I run .38sp in both the lever and the revolvers. All great guns IMHO.
This pair now sport a new set of custom walnut grips - much better than the factory plastic.
lol, understood it was fantasy, but given that there are specifics about the kinds of equipment that can be used ie. stuff that is "comparable" to what was available in the time period, I was curious how a modern shotgun could be used. Your post explains that, ie ejectors are disabled.
I also agree with your Ruger statement. I've settled on a pair of new vaqueros in .357. Still deciding if I buy 2 randoms or if I get the SASS kit.
Cheers
I also agree with your Ruger statement. I've settled on a pair of new vaqueros in .357. Still deciding if I buy 2 randoms or if I get the SASS kit.
Cheers
Exactly the setup I am looking to put together.
Where did you buy the rifle and shotgun?
There seems to be lots of places that sell the Rugers, with Ellwood Epps being the cheapest with the SASS dual package, and a few other cheaper with singles.
Cheers
Where did you buy the rifle and shotgun?
There seems to be lots of places that sell the Rugers, with Ellwood Epps being the cheapest with the SASS dual package, and a few other cheaper with singles.
Cheers
Ruger New Vaquero - Uberti 1866 YellowBoy - Stoeger Coach SxS.
I have been using this combo for 2 years, shooting 10 or 12 matches each summer and plenty of practice and have not had a single issue with any of them. I run .38sp in both the lever and the revolvers. All great guns IMHO.
This pair now sport a new set of custom walnut grips - much better than the factory plastic.
I think it'd be worth the trip to Waterloo and go to Shooters Choice. They have a nice website, and stock of IGA, Uberti and Perdesoli, many others.
If you're there ask if Gary Howe is in. He's an accomplished gunsmith with a lot of Cowboy "slick em up jobs" under his belt. I've seen him shoot a match with a Spencer rifle!
ht tp://www.shooterschoice.com/catalogue_front.htm
htt p://www.shooterschoice.com/garyhowe.htm
If you're there ask if Gary Howe is in. He's an accomplished gunsmith with a lot of Cowboy "slick em up jobs" under his belt. I've seen him shoot a match with a Spencer rifle!
ht tp://www.shooterschoice.com/catalogue_front.htm
htt p://www.shooterschoice.com/garyhowe.htm
The Vaqueros were from the EE, the Uberti from Shooters Choice and the Stoeger from Bass Pro.
Thanks so much. Thats the first place I've seen all the Uberti models for sale and they say they keep stock. I'll give them a call tomorrow.
I think it'd be worth the trip to Waterloo and go to Shooters Choice. They have a nice website, and stock of IGA, Uberti and Perdesoli, many others.
If you're there ask if Gary Howe is in. He's an accomplished gunsmith with a lot of Cowboy "slick em up jobs" under his belt. I've seen him shoot a match with a Spencer rifle!
ht tp://www.shooterschoice.com/catalogue_front.htm
htt p://www.shooterschoice.com/garyhowe.htm
Make sure they are in stock. The ones they normally stock I think have an asterix by them. I'd still call and make sure before I do the drive, you know how things are.
Cariboo Lefty
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kamloops BC
I was in Wild West in Edmonton Friday. Ken has Uberti 73s in stock that have I believe the 3rd gen Cowboys and Indian short stroke kit installed by C&I and are under 2 grand. He did not have any sxs, but he did have rugers. I have been a CAS competitor for quite a while, and have never seen anyone stay with the new Henry very long. They are prone to losing ejectors and while very smooth they have a very long lever stroke. They are very slow to shoot and awkward to load. I would stay very far away. If you shoot 3 to 10 thousand rounds of match and practice ammo a year they do not stand up. The modern Henry has no relationship with the old 1860 Henry rifle. Some shooters use and love the 66 however it has no lever safety (which will not allow the trigger to be pulled until the lever is closed)this was a feature Winchester added to the 73 to porevent out of battery discharge. Most of the top CAS shooters now use tricked out 73s.
What "tricking out" do they do on the 73's?
I found a guy on GunNutz in my province with a SxS, and just closed the deal on it tonight. So I have my shotgun.
If I might ask, what caliber do you shoot in? I'm hearing a lot of people recommending 357/38 because the ammo is economical. I was originally leaning to 45LC for more authenticity, but am rethinking that. Esp since I don't reload. At least at this time.
I found a guy on GunNutz in my province with a SxS, and just closed the deal on it tonight. So I have my shotgun.
If I might ask, what caliber do you shoot in? I'm hearing a lot of people recommending 357/38 because the ammo is economical. I was originally leaning to 45LC for more authenticity, but am rethinking that. Esp since I don't reload. At least at this time.
Cariboo Lefty
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kamloops BC
There are many ways to trick out a Uberti 73. Most action packages include, short stroke kit (3rd or 4th generation), stainless steel mag spring, wire lifter and lever springs, either a lightened brass carrier, or an aluminum one and judicious polishing of any and all moving parts. You will not believe how slick a 73 can be.
Well, 38s are super cheap and have much less recoil but think long and hard about what you want to get out of Cowboy Action shooting. If you want to game and score well, then go for 38s. If you want to have fun and be more period correct I'd save go for the 45 colt. If you are a massochist go with the 44-40. I did and it's a lot more finicky than reloading straight wall, but at the time I really wanted a 44-40 because it's the original metallic cartridge and it was first manufactured 100 years before my time so I'll take my lumps and keep at it.
Either way, I say you should get into reloading. It doesn't take a lot of money as you don't really need a good scale. Hell, you could double your cowboy charge up and more than likely still be under maximum pressure for 357 magnum. A lee anniversary kit will be about all you need plus a tumbler, dies and components. Once you get into a CAS group, then a bullet caster will usually be revealed who will sell most lead projectiles for 10 cents a piece or under. Most cowboy loads can be made for about 15-17 cents a piece which is very affordable.
If you go 38 and don't reload, keep a close eye on SFRC, he has Wolf 38 cowboy bullets show up that are reasonably priced. If they're in stock, buy it cheap and stack it deep.
You should really find when the Barrie club gets together and go show some interest. Guys and gals will likely be shoving guns into your hands so you can try them. See if the recoil of a 38 will keep you happy or not. For me not, and I later sold my long gun and two pistol 38s to my uncle so he could start out and I went to 44-40.
If you have any other questions fire away.
Either way, I say you should get into reloading. It doesn't take a lot of money as you don't really need a good scale. Hell, you could double your cowboy charge up and more than likely still be under maximum pressure for 357 magnum. A lee anniversary kit will be about all you need plus a tumbler, dies and components. Once you get into a CAS group, then a bullet caster will usually be revealed who will sell most lead projectiles for 10 cents a piece or under. Most cowboy loads can be made for about 15-17 cents a piece which is very affordable.
If you go 38 and don't reload, keep a close eye on SFRC, he has Wolf 38 cowboy bullets show up that are reasonably priced. If they're in stock, buy it cheap and stack it deep.
You should really find when the Barrie club gets together and go show some interest. Guys and gals will likely be shoving guns into your hands so you can try them. See if the recoil of a 38 will keep you happy or not. For me not, and I later sold my long gun and two pistol 38s to my uncle so he could start out and I went to 44-40.
If you have any other questions fire away.
Called them today. Seems their web price for the cowboys and indians version is wrong and is actually $2400. A little too steep for me at this point.
Called Shooter choice and ordered a stock uberti 73 short rifle from there. I'm sure I can get it tuned at a later date once I've put some lead down range.
Called Shooter choice and ordered a stock uberti 73 short rifle from there. I'm sure I can get it tuned at a later date once I've put some lead down range.
