[Henry big boy...yea or nay? (I already know the answer)]

Henry = Jamomatic. Run, do not walk away

[Where have they gone]

I really miss Bisley Joe.

Is this a joke? Maybe we have been transported in time to 1 April.

[.22 LR division]

It's true that this is not a particularly inexpensive pasttie. The starup costs ar not as bad as being in the vintage car community, or IPSC or a lot of other hobbies but we understand it can be substantial. However I think we mus remain true to the original concept of the sport. Competetive shooting with Old West firearms. That's what drew most of us here. It was difficult for me to get geared up years ago. But I was determined. The "new category" suggestion comes up frequently from new shooters. Sometimes they want to use only one pistol, or no shot gun, or double actions or some other method to make it more affordable.

Many clubs offer 22 side matches at their bigger shoots. But to create another catregory besides what we already have would, in my opinion, be impractical for the reasons mentioned by other experienced members.

 

You wouldn't join a Harley club riding a Moped.

Yup shooting 45 ACP in semi auto 1911s and shooting 97s really fit the original concept of the sport.

[.22 LR division]

SASS has to do something to increase the number of shooters. All good ideas should be explored.

[Poly Coated V.S. Lubed]

deleted, wrong thread

[Poly Coated V.S. Lubed]

I'd like to hear your opinion (pros and cons) in regards to Polymer Coated (Hi-Tek) Bullets

What are experiences with them. Both Positive or Negative.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,

Ringer

Biggest pros and a real plus is that the missing lube does not plug up dies. If you wear thin latex or other gloves pick up of bullets is easy. Should be doing it anyway to eliminate lead in your body.

[.22 LR division]

With SASS numbers dropping it might be a good way to get new family shooters. Invite the family to all shoot the same caliber guns, ie 22s. Several 22 caliber rifles avail. Lots of 22 revolvers avail.

[Where have they gone]

Doc S was an author. I believe he did a rewrite of the three SASS handbooks into one handbook that was very good and the Wild Bunch would not even consider it. He left after that, and that may have been the reason. He wrote a great color printed book on getting started in CAS. It may be available digitally now.

[What length 1873 on most using?]

Most shooters on the various posses at different matches shoot 20 inches or less length 73 barrels. Between son and I we have 6 73s all 20 inch barrels in 357. Son has a couple other 73s, 44-40 and 45 LC with longer barrels he does not shoot.

[What length 1873 on most using?]

The majority of the shooters at matches I attend are shooting 20 inch barrels on their 73s.

[Rifle Ammo on Shotgun Loop]

deleted

[Rifle Ammo on Shotgun Loop]

Really??

 

Ammo belts must be worn so all ammo is positioned at or below the belly button.

SHB p. 11

Has that always been in the rules or did it used to say just shotgun belts? I have clearly missed that. How does that relate to belts worn over the shoulder?

[Rifle Ammo on Shotgun Loop]

It would be perfectly legal to put a slide containing say 10 rounds on a shotgun belt. This slide could then be positioned anywhere on the belt including over empty shotgun loops. I have two slides, one for pistol belt, other for shotgun belt. I also have 10 pistol/rifle loops at top of my shotgun belt sewn in place. For a stage with no shotgun targets and 10 reloads on either pistol or rifle, I can move my empty shotgun belt (but has pistol/rifle loads) as high as it will go on my body.

[What guns/gear would you buy if you had a $4500 budget?]

Ruger Vaqueros 4 5/8 inch barrels, 73 20 inch barrel, SKB double, both pistols and rifle in 357 to shoot 38 spls. Leather from Kirkpatrick. Have shotgun belt set up with double loops and 10 loops of 357/38 sewn so shells are half above the belt. Look closely at the Longhunter LH-05 Kirkpatrick rig with the metal reinforced body and loop over the belt to give some good separation from body to draw. This rig keeps it's shape forever. I had mine made so the top of the grip is at the top of the belt so I could also shoot B western if I wanted to. Have slide for pistol belt made to hold 357/38s just in case. Do not put any loops on back of belt or anywhere else, just on belt slide and shotgun belt as noted.

[Easy-Fast Way to Load Federal Primers into the Dillon Tubes]

When I am loading, I load several hundred a day. I have 10 primer tubes so I can load a brick of primers in them. I turn a 100 box of Federals upside down over a Dillion flip tray, and very slowly move the outer slide cardboard box over the flip tray allowing primers to land on the flip tray. Make sure the rings inside cover of the flip tray are on the table with rings up and other flip tray top is off. While sliding the outer box off, keep the primers falling into the flip tray. rapidly ove the flip tray back and forth on a flat surface until all primers are faced one direction. Put cover on flip tray and slowly holding flip tray together, turn over the flip tray and set it back on flat surface. Remove top of flip tray and all primers are ready to pick up manually in a primer tray. I can load 1000 primers in 10 tubes in about 15 to 30 minutes depending on interruptions.

 

Loading only 3 to 5 hundred at a time and maybe a thousand a day, I can get my maximum of 10,000 rounds for a years shooting or more in a couple of weeks. After loading my rounds my wife runs every single one through a case checker and sorts the rounds by manufacture into separate boxes of 100 which I label. My brass is about 70% Starline, 25 % Winchester and rest 5% mixed bag for practice.

[What information do you put on the labels of your bullet boxes?]

KISS. I use bullet wt in g and mfg. I use powder mfg and weight in g. I identify whether new or used brass and mfg of brass (I sort it before loading). I put the date I made the rounds and check mark that every round went through a case checker. Why identify anything more about the bullet ie hardness, diameter, etc?

[Purchase and Proper Fit for New Holster]

This may not be fast draw as you suggest but being a timed event, you do not want a slow draw either. No one has suggested putting your trigger finger inside the trigger guard, but outside the trigger guard. This is a timed event so the faster and safer one can transition their pistol from their off hand to their other hand does save time and is safer than trying to juggle a grip frame from one hand to the other. Who said anything about a drastic cutting down of the holster, just leave the trigger guard exposed. That leaves the cylinder in the holster, the barrel in the holster, and most of the frame in the holster. Most of us like the holster to hold the gun so that as we move it does not come out accidentally but still allows an easy draw. Many of the best holsters for our sport made today use some form of plastic or metal between layers of leather inside and out to hold the holster shape almost forever. May not be period but it works. Rifles in 38 special, 357 mag or even 45 LC are not period correct either and that covers about 95% of our rifles.

First of all, speed- or fast-draw is NOT part of Cowboy Action Shooting! No, the gun should not stick in the holster, but cutting away lot of the holster to "speed" your draw isn't necessary, and if it decreases security beyond a certain point, a drastically cut down holster gains nothing and IMHO decreases safety. Personally, I don't care that much for exposed trigger guards on holsters. Your trigger finger should never go inside the trigger guard until the gun is pointed safely downrange!

[Purchase and Proper Fit for New Holster]

Funny, my trigger guards are completely covered and I haven't dropped a gun, ever, since 1999 when I went to my first shoot. But then I'm not that fast, shooting Frontier Cartridge Duelist/Classic Cowboy I usually run in the high 30's. If I wanted to go faster, well, never mind, I'm just here to look good and have fun with my family. And there is a middle ground between cheap junk holsters and high end leather.

If you look at the better shooters in our sport only a few have their trigger guards covered in the holster except for cross draw shooters, gunfighters or double duelists, as they can grab their grips of both pistols with no hand transfer needed. There are a few shooters that are two handed that draw with their hands on the grips and then use a different thumb depending on which hand they drew with.

[Purchase and Proper Fit for New Holster]

Straight hang holsters work in all the categories you mention. For ease of transfer for drawing your weak hand pistols, many if not most use the thumb and one finger to draw that weak hand gun with finger on outside bottom of trigger guard and and thumb on the rear sight. That eases the strong hand to have a open grip frame to grab in the transfer between hands. As a result have your holsters made with the gun trigger guard completely outside and on top of the holster. Other holsters have the trigger guard covered in the holster making it very difficult to transfer hands on the grip, to get your strong hand on the grip without dropping your pistol.

 

In my opinion the best bang for the buck is not cheap junk leather but leather from some of the high quality CUSTOM leather makers such as Kirkpatrick. That allows you to get very high quality custom leather at a competitive price and in a very timely manner.