New to SASS: Advice for Navigating the Gear Maze

[KatfishKid]

21 minutes ago, Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667 said:

If you want to make room for an RCBS Lockout Die you can use a Hornady PTX insert in the powder measure in Station 2, or you can combine seating and crimping in Station 5.

I was actually just looking at that. I bought the 4pcs die set without really researching and I also bought a powder cop without realizing I didn't have enough room for all of that in the press. I'm gonna just keep rolling with what I have until I need to replace something, then I'll change it up. I like the idea of the lockout die. 

[KatfishKid]

Got the last few pieces of the puzzle put together this week. Went and visited with Persimmon Dan to get my holsters and belts made. Got my pistols ordered from Jimmy Spurrs. And bought a beautiful cowboy ready SKB 400. 

[watab kid]

thats a nice looking piece - congrats 

[KatfishKid]

Went and picked up my leather today. That officially makes me all set for my first season! Absolutely love this rig. Murphy Custom GunLeather does incredible work. 

[Whitey James]

Wow,

That is a beautiful rig!

[Eyesa Horg]

Very nice Katfish 👍. That's some mighty fine looking leather. 🤠

[Sheriff Dill]

All looking very good Katfish. My son got into CAS two years ago and we bought all his gear after navigating the gear maze. Fast forward two years and after many many no I’m good buddy talks. I’m getting into it and back to the gear maze. Lucky for me I already have everything. Getting the new rifle within the next few weeks. 

[KatfishKid]

4 minutes ago, Sheriff Dill said:

All looking very good Katfish. My son got into CAS two years ago and we bought all his gear after navigating the gear maze. Fast forward two years and after many many no I’m good buddy talks. I’m getting into it and back to the gear maze. Lucky for me I already have everything. Getting the new rifle within the next few weeks. 

That's great! I'm sure your son is excited you're getting into it with him. My dad seems to think it's all a bit silly, but I think he's just jealous 😂 

[Sheriff Dill]

6 minutes ago, KatfishKid said:

That's great! I'm sure your son is excited you're getting into it with him. My dad seems to think it's all a bit silly, but I think he's just jealous 😂 

He’s very very excited. But like you I couldn’t just take baby steps. I went all in with press and complete setup lol 

[KatfishKid]

15 minutes ago, Sheriff Dill said:

He’s very very excited. But like you I couldn’t just take baby steps. I went all in with press and complete setup lol 

Only way to do it! I don't mind spending money, never have. But I don't like buying something then having to upgrade or replace something shortly down the road. 

[Roland Thunder]

Dang that's nice

[Shawnee Hills]

Their work is not only beautiful but very well made and functional as well.  I love the rig Dan built for me last year but it was a sad day when I got the first scratch.

[watab kid]

very nice equipment and gear , looks like your set , enjoy it 

[The Revenuer]

19 hours ago, KatfishKid said:

That's great! I'm sure your son is excited you're getting into it with him. My dad seems to think it's all a bit silly, but I think he's just jealous 😂 

Your dad is just scared of the competition, let him know I said so! 😂

[KatfishKid]

37 minutes ago, The Revenuer said:

Your dad is just scared of the competition, let him know I said so! 😂

🤣 You know my dad well enough to know that I have no desire to say anything of the sort to him.🤣

[Dapper Dave]

Beautiful gear, sir. I finally get to try out my complete setup this afternoon at the Rio practice match. I am looking forward to the old hands do that, "Whaddya think you are doin', boyo, that' ain't gonna work!" And you know what? They're probably right, so I will listen patiently and politely. 

Also a good time to find out if my shotgun black powder loads will knock over the steel!

[KatfishKid]

47 minutes ago, Dapper Dave said:

Beautiful gear, sir. I finally get to try out my complete setup this afternoon at the Rio practice match. I am looking forward to the old hands do that, "Whaddya think you are doin', boyo, that' ain't gonna work!" And you know what? They're probably right, so I will listen patiently and politely. 

Also a good time to find out if my shotgun black powder loads will knock over the steel!

Thank you! Have fun at the practice match! Have you shot in a match yet? My first match will be Saturday. I can't wait for all my hours and hours of practice to be forgotten as soon I hear that first buzzer goes off 🤣

[Captain Bill Burt]

Good luck with your first match.

[Dapper Dave]

Not my first, thank you, but my third. Not much better.  I had a great time, of course. Tried out my new rig, my new rifle, and the full brass black powder shotgun shells, which worked perfectly. 
I shot the Annual match in November, came in third in my division, (easy, there was only three), and one in January. I haven't really found any other matches close by, but our Territorial Governor, Colt Laredo, said there are many matches around me I can shoot. I'll have to look into that. I did what I think is the right thing - I listened to the old hands and paid attention, and things improved by the end of the match indeed. Being a practice match cowboy clothes weren't required, but some of us had something cowboy on anyway. 

There wasn't many people there, but it was grand fun, and as the last two matches, I learned valuable lessons. Oh, yes, the 12 ga shells with 40gr of Olde Eynsford 3F and 1 1/8oz of #8 knocked down the bounce back targets easily, so I can "move to full production". 

Edit to add, that muddy pink camo rifle case is mine, the one thing I forgot, enough rifle cases, so I had to borrow the wife's case - it was funny to pull my shotgun out of a case emblazoned, "Girls With Guns". 
 

 

[Dapper Dave]

17 hours ago, KatfishKid said:

Thank you! Have fun at the practice match! Have you shot in a match yet? My first match will be Saturday. I can't wait for all my hours and hours of practice to be forgotten as soon I hear that first buzzer goes off 🤣

You are gonna do great. Just remember we're here to have safe fun, relax, and smile, amigo. Don't forget pics!

[Windy City Kid]

On 3/19/2025 at 6:04 AM, KatfishKid said:

Thank you! Have fun at the practice match! Have you shot in a match yet? My first match will be Saturday. I can't wait for all my hours and hours of practice to be forgotten as soon I hear that first buzzer goes off 🤣

BEEP - (How many rounds was that? What was the order? Where am I?) Have fun! Expect that grin when you leave to take hours to die down. 

[KatfishKid]

1 hour ago, Windy City Kid said:

BEEP - (How many rounds was that? What was the order? Where am I?) Have fun! Expect that grin when you leave to take hours to die down. 

 

[watab kid]

we all live with this its what its all about just try to keep track and enjoy the moments 

[watab kid]

Just now, watab kid said:

we all live with this its what its all about just try to keep track and enjoy the moments 

im going to correct this , i have recently become aware there are a lot of posters here that are not members or shooters in this sport , im ok with that but ill refrain from saying "we all" anymore as that is far from accurate , just like me 

[KatfishKid]

My first match is in the books. I had a fantastic time and left with the same amount of holes I arrived with, so definitely a win. I started rough but finished pretty strong. I had a few Ps and unfortunately a minor safety. miscounted my rifle shots and left one in the mag tube. I'll get there eventually. I knew I would struggle with understanding the sweeps and that proved to be a fact. But I had a great time and I'm still amazed at how friendly and helpful everyone is in this game. 

[Eyesa Horg]

Congratulations, glad you had a great time! YeeHaw 🤠

[Shawnee Hills]

Congrats on finishing your first match.  You chose well by picking West Side as the place to start.  Bunch of great cowboys and cowgirls there.  No doubt that hook is firmly set now. 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Now you probably understand what we meant about when the buzzer goes off.  

[Dapper Dave]

Well done, sir!, Well done indeed!

[Griff]

On 3/22/2025 at 7:49 PM, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Now you probably understand what we meant about when the buzzer goes off.  

And why it takes hours for the smiles to fade!

[KatfishKid]

On 3/22/2025 at 7:49 PM, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Now you probably understand what we meant about when the buzzer goes off.  

Oh for sure. My biggest issue was that it was taking me more time then it should to understand the sweeps. I would think I understood them, then I would figure out how I was gonna stage, then go over it all in my head at the loading table, then completely forget everything as soon as I was called up to shoot 😂 I am slow with my pistols and not as accurate as I want to be. I have never been good with pistols regardless of type and single action revolvers were alien to me up until a few months ago. I probably shouldn't be shooting duelist, but that's the category I liked the most when I first started researching cowboy action shooting, so I am determined to get it down. For the next match my goal is simply to shoot clean. Time is no longer a concern. It frustrates me that I have such a hard time understanding the stages, but I am sure it will eventually click. This is one of the stages I shot, I believe it was the second stage of the morning. The only stage I was proud of was the very last stage, and that only went well because I slowed everything down.  I believe I shot the last stage at 30 seconds and clean. 

 

[KatfishKid]

I did get second in my category. I don't know how many shooters were in my category..I'm assuming only 2 😂 If that's the case they probably should have entered one of the trash cans into that category so I would have got 3rd.

My wife was able to attend with me, she did not shoot the match, but she was able to see her first match and I think she had just as much fun as I did.  She was even able to get a bit of coaching after the match and I think it gave her a much needed confidence boost. She says she isn't comfortable yet, so it may be a bit before she actually starts shooting in a match. 

[Eyesa Horg]

Until the stages set in with the brain, shoot later in the Posse and watch several other shooters anticipating what they will do next. Don't fret it will all come together! Your video looked excellent! Good job!

[The Revenuer]

4 hours ago, KatfishKid said:

Oh for sure. My biggest issue was that it was taking me more time then it should to understand the sweeps. I would think I understood them, then I would figure out how I was gonna stage, then go over it all in my head at the loading table, then completely forget everything as soon as I was called up to shoot 😂 I am slow with my pistols and not as accurate as I want to be. I have never been good with pistols regardless of type and single action revolvers were alien to me up until a few months ago. I probably shouldn't be shooting duelist, but that's the category I liked the most when I first started researching cowboy action shooting, so I am determined to get it down. For the next match my goal is simply to shoot clean. Time is no longer a concern. It frustrates me that I have such a hard time understanding the stages, but I am sure it will eventually click. This is one of the stages I shot, I believe it was the second stage of the morning. The only stage I was proud of was the very last stage, and that only went well because I slowed everything down.  I believe I shot the last stage at 30 seconds and clean. 

 

It will all click soon.  The first match is always rough!   Keep you head up and just keep going.   I am 4 years in and have nothing good to say about my match on Saturday... 

[KatfishKid]

After my first match, I couldn’t help myself, I put together a training plan. I’m not trying to be the best in class or win any awards. I just want to be the best me I can be. That’s how my brain works. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, or shooting, I stay engaged by tracking progress, improving over time, and really understanding what I’m doing.

Cowboy action shooting is no different. If I’m going to do it, I want to do it right. And I’ve already realized it’s not just about the shooting...it’s the people, the energy, the whole experience. That’s what’s going to keep me around for the long haul.

The added bonus? It’s competitive. And I get a real kick out of seeing progress...cleaning up a stage, tightening transitions, smoothing things out. So, I came up with a weekly training plan that I’m genuinely excited about.

I thought about creating a new topic for this, but decided to just keep it in my original thread. I figured it’d be cool to have one place where I can look back and see how far I’ve come...good, bad, and everything in between.

Let’s see where it goes.

 

 

Weekly Training Plan

Objective: Improve stage times and eliminate penalties

 

✅ Week 1: Accuracy & Penalty Elimination Focus

• Drills:
  • Slow-fire runs on small targets to reinforce clean hits
  • Movement + shoot scenarios with target confirmation
• Goals:
  • Zero misses on all runs
  • Full walkthrough rehearsals before each stage

---

✅ Week 2: Movement Efficiency

• Drills:
  • Stage flow exercises
  • Weapon movement dry runs from one shooting station to the next
• Goals:
  • Reduce wasted movement (backsteps, hesitation)
  • Maintain sight picture while on the move

---

✅ Week 3: Speed & Transitions

• Drills:
  • Split-time reduction with timer
  • Engage double-taps on multiple targets with safe movement
• Goals:
  • Sharpen weapon transitions
  • Develop instinctive target engagement pacing

---

Daily Quick Drill (5-10 mins)

• Weapon transitions (pistol to rifle to shotgun)
• Dry fire two-shot transitions between targets
• 3-position walkthrough (low pressure)

---

Review & Adjust:

• End of Week 4: Time a full run of all six stages (Monthly match)
• Compare with original match performance and raw time goals
• Adjust following month’s training based on weakest stage

---

Stretch Goal:

• Finish match clean (0 misses, 0 procedurals)
• Achieve 45th percentile or better in overall standing
• Transition from Duelist to Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter for 2026 if all other goals have been met(Category goals subject to change)