Jose Wales, Doc Holiday and Lucan McCain.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I have never shot Jose Wales, but I would really like too.   The only reason I've not tried it is that non of the local clubs offer it.

Now, as we all know, Jose Wales substitutes two revolvers for the rifle part of the scenario.   Sometimes, the shotgun is also replaced with a pistol.   In other words, it's all (or mostly) pistol event.

Well, what about an all shotgun, or an all rifle match?
 

For the shotgun version, let's call it the "Doc Holiday" style of shooting, you would need 5 shotguns.  1 SxS for the shotgun targets that is used according to normal SASS conventions.  For the rifle and the pistols, you would need two repeating shotguns, 97's, and 87's or even a 93/97, each loaded with 5 rounds at the loading table and then staged at the place where the rifle and pistol targets are to be engaged.  You could, I suppose, use multiple SxS's but that would put you at a real disadvantage.

For the rifle version, let's call it "Lucas McCain," you'd need a rifle for the rifle targets, 1 rifle for each 5 pistol targets, and one for the shotgun targets.  For safety, you might need to put some alternate "shotgun" targets a little father away.

 

Just a random thought.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

H.K., That random thought just had to be some PAINFUL 🙃

[Cholla]

Just so I’m clear, each shooter would need four rifles for the Lucas McCain version? From what I’ve seen on TV, the rifle should be used the entire match without reloading. 

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

In the Lucas McCain scenario, you'd have to twirl the rifle and the end, so you'd get a SDQ for sweeping.

 

And who is Jose Wales? Is that Josey's Mexican cousin? 

[Krazy Kajun]

I don't know that some clubs would let you shoot their pistol targets at close range with the shotgun.

 

Kajun

[Captain Bill Burt]

Umm. How many shooters have 5 Cowboy shotguns including doubles, 97s and 87s?

 

I anticipate a response that others will loan guns…how many shooters will want to shoot an all shotgun match with guns they’ve never shot before?

 

This might make an interesting side match, but as a main match I would expect attendance to be pretty low.

 

No disrespect intended.

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

20 minutes ago, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

In the Lucas McCain scenario, you'd have to twirl the rifle and the end, so you'd get a SDQ for sweeping.

 

And who is Jose Wales? Is that Josey's Mexican cousin? 

 

Maybe he lived near Mexico, Missouri ?? 

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

3 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

I have never shot Jose Wales, but I would really like too.   The only reason I've not tried it is that non of the local clubs offer it.

Now, as we all know, Jose Wales substitutes two revolvers for the rifle part of the scenario.   Sometimes, the shotgun is also replaced with a pistol.   In other words, it's all (or mostly) pistol event.

Well, what about an all shotgun, or an all rifle match?
 

For the shotgun version, let's call it the "Doc Holiday" style of shooting, you would need 5 shotguns.  1 SxS for the shotgun targets that is used according to normal SASS conventions.  For the rifle and the pistols, you would need two repeating shotguns, 97's, and 87's or even a 93/97, each loaded with 5 rounds at the loading table and then staged at the place where the rifle and pistol targets are to be engaged.  You could, I suppose, use multiple SxS's but that would put you at a real disadvantage.

For the rifle version, let's call it "Lucas McCain," you'd need a rifle for the rifle targets, 1 rifle for each 5 pistol targets, and one for the shotgun targets.  For safety, you might need to put some alternate "shotgun" targets a little father away.

 

Just a random thought.

Is it still winter in New England? 😂🤣

[Alpo]

1 hour ago, PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L said:

 

Maybe he lived near Mexico, Missouri ?? 

 

So all his gun gear came from Midway?

[Rye Miles #13621]

I can see 2 rifles and a shotgun, but the targets would have to out there.

[Warden Callaway]

I've shot Josey Wales with 4 handguns and shotgun a couple of times. Black powder.  I clearder it with match director before match.  Went through what I planded to do before each stage with TO to avoid confusion or problems. Last time with 5 Colts.

Edited May 26, 2025 by Warden Callaway

[Stump Water]

I have shot some all-shotgun stages.  Only one shotgun required.  Given belt capacity some SG shells may have to be staged, so there were allowances for that.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

3 hours ago, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

And who is Jose Wales? Is that Josey's Mexican cousin? 

I hear he's a real pussycat...

Sorry, my bad spelling haunts me wherever I go.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

3 hours ago, Captain Bill Burt said:

Umm. How many shooters have 5 Cowboy shotguns including doubles, 97s and 87s?

 

I anticipate a response that others will loan guns…how many shooters will want to shoot an all shotgun match with guns they’ve never shot before?

 

This might make an interesting side match, but as a main match I would expect attendance to be pretty low.

 

No disrespect intended.

 

I'd not be surprised if a lot of us have the needed guns.    That being said, I'll be honest and say that the shotgun version was an afterthought.   After thinking of the rifle version, I imagined people say, "How about a shotgun version?"

 

(But yeah, I'll agree that the shotgun variant would probably grab the least amount of interest.)

Since Josey (note the corrected spelling) Wales in an unofficial, and you could say novelty, category, sidematch, scenario, whatever, the rifle and shotgun version would be as well, and could clearly be tweaked to make them as practical as possible.  

Target placement could of course be modified for safety reasons.   Since I've never done Josey Wales, I have no idea how it is typically done, but I'd assume some target adjustment is the norm.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

2 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Is it still winter in New England? 😂🤣

Well, it has still been dipping into the low 40's at night of late...

[Mister Badly]

Just one rifle

 

 

[Pat Riot]

I remember back in the early 00’s when SASS was more fun. I was at The Cowboys monthly match in Norco, CA we had one stage that was 34 or 36 targets and could be shot with any guns you wished in any manner you wished. 
Some chose all pistols, some chose their regular SASS guns plus a rifle. Some chose all rifle to shoot the stage. There was a lot of lending of guns that day. 
I chose to shoot the entire stage with my Stoeger Coachgun. I had on my shotgun belt with 24 shells and my shotgun shell slide and I had a bunch of shells in my possibles pouch. 
That was one fun stage! Recall knocking some targets over and I I got a P but no misses. 
Man, that was fun! 

 

 

Edited May 26, 2025 by Pat Riot

[Warden Callaway]

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

3 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I can see 2 rifles and a shotgun, but the targets would have to out there.

We can have the shooter shoot only rifle targets so 2 rifles would work. Just shoot the sequence twice once with each rifle! 🤠

[Warden Callaway]

I've seen video of guys shooting Josey Wales using only strong hand an smokeless.  Of course, I shot gunfighter and black powder.  I'd like to shoot it with cap guns and I have enough but I'm not a glutton for punishment.  

[Blackwater 53393]

2 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

   Since I've never done Josey Wales, I have no idea how it is typically done, but I'd assume some target adjustment is the norm.

NOPE!! When we shoot Josey Wales, we shoot the same targets and the same sequences that everyone else shoots.  Sometimes five revolvers and sometimes four revolvers and a shotgun, depending on what those shooting the category agree on.

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

4 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

I hear he's a real pussycat...

Sorry, my bad spelling haunts me wherever I go.

"Long tails and ears for hats."  Josey and the Pussycats could rock.

[Waimea]

Sometimes folks can't remember to reset 4 SG targets.

[Sedalia Dave]

I would love to shoot an all shotgun match.

 

Problem is, that match would cost about $150.00 in ammo. 

[Dapper Dave]

1 hour ago, Waimea said:

Sometimes folks can't remember to reset 4 SG targets.

That's me, last match I was a spotter and half the time I'd be watching someone and forget to pull those ropes. My bad. 

I've seen a couple shoot Josey Wales at our matches, but four revolvers and shotgun only. 

I like that idea of that long stage, "shoot whatever you brung!" Not saying I would DO well, but it would be fun. 

[Dapper Dave]

16 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

I would love to shoot an all shotgun match.

 

Problem is, that match would cost about $150.00 in ammo. 

I wonder how well that would work with black powder...cleaning between stages would be required, but I could reload the brass back on the tables. Just gotta bring the hand tools. 

[Sedalia Dave]

6 minutes ago, Dapper Dave said:

I wonder how well that would work with black powder...cleaning between stages would be required, but I could reload the brass back on the tables. Just gotta bring the hand tools. 

 

A SXS should run just fine for the entire match as long as the shells generate enough pressure to seal the chambers and prevent blowby.  Just in case, I'd swab the chambers with a 10 ga bore mop with some PAM or Moosemilk on it. 

 

An 87 or 97 would need to be run wet with a good washout between stages. 

 

One problem will be managing the barrel heat. BP really warms up the barrels. 

[Kid Rich]

My 97 runs just fine with BP. Just use enough powder to seal the chamber and run it. It really doesn't get the action dirty.

kR

[watab kid]

we thru an all shotgun match based on three gun back when - got good response but ill be honest im not as intrigued with those types of matches , i get the interest in the josey whales , after watching the movie my interest in those polder wheel guns stepped up ive add a lot to my accumulation , 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Aw Cummon Warden 🤪

 

Live LARGE!!  My main shooting partner and I have both shot Josey Wales with Cap Guns!!  FIVE Cap Guns, (Josey didn't have a shotgun).  It is CAPITOL FUN!!  I will admit however, ye be busier-n a three legged kitty inna sand box loading between stages, but still way FUN.  I personally shot four three-n-half inch barrel SNUBBIES and a seven-n-half inch for the shotgun.  Those shooting pistols for the shotgun didn't have to knock down the poppers, just hit 'em.  All targets were at common distance for CAS.

[irish ike, SASS #43615]

Our club shoots a lot of single shot big bore long range and cowboy stages. For Josey we shoot 2 pistols holstered, 2 staged, and big bore rifle 3 to 5 shots, no shotgun.  Regular shooters shoot shotgun and lever rifle targets 2 pistols. We also shoot Tom Horn using big bore lever action.  Big bore targets are out at 30+ yards.