Cowboy 45 Special Range Results (OEM, 165grn LRNFP & 130 grn Barnstormers

[Tall John]

I got my Sass new model Vaquero 45 Colts back from Boomstick Jay and took them to the range yesterday with my Athlon Chronograph.  It was a very breezy 75 degree day.

 

 

American Cowboy OEM 180grn

  506fps, 91 PF with a Std dev of 24.0 (15 rounds 

 

165grn home cast/PC Lee RNFP &        
  3.9grns of TiteGroup, w/ Fed LP  
  primers

  1.097” OAL

  608fps, PF 100.3, SD 25.0 (20 rnds)

  min/max fps 537:641

 

130grn Barnstormer, 3.6gr TiteGroup

  w/ Fed LP Primers, 1.0685” OAL

   602fps, 78PF, std dev 41 (35 rnds)

   Min/max fps: 447/653

 

I load on a XL650 and my powder measure is very consistent rarely varying more than 0.1 grain but I’m guessing that is the likely cause for the large Std Dev on the Barnstormers.  I loaded a hundred rounds and randomly grabbed a handful for this test.  
 

I’ll have to repeat this test but will likely increase my load to 3.8grns as the PF is too low and a number of rounds had un-burned green powder residue.
 

FWIW I DO perform test weights about every 10-15 rounds and do more frequently if I find variance.

 

  

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

How was the accuracy? 

[Tall John]

I was able to hit the 24” Cowboys and tickle the 6” plates on the tree at 25 yards with pretty good consistently from a seated and rested position.  
 

my next trip will be to shoot for accuracy at 15-45’ on paper.  Using the  Athlon chrono requires positioning the device under or beside the muzzle with no movement and like a shot timer, you can’t use it in close proximity to other shooters else it will pick up their shots and screw up your data.

 

These NMV’s are brand new-to-me and I just installed Eagle extended Gunfighter grips and Yankmachain’s slip on brass sights  which are taller than the OEM sights.  Plus, the distance I was shooting was 3x further than we shoot at SASS matches.

 

 

Edited April 6 by Tall John
Spelling

[Griff]

Either a heavier bullet or more crimp will aid powder consumption.  Simply adding more powder, will just leave more unburnt powder behind.  

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Common for such light powder load too vary a good bit.

 

[Tall John]

On 4/6/2026 at 2:00 PM, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

How was the accuracy? 

went back to the range again today..  first two groups of five at 20 yards

 

Four groups of five at 15 yards… they definitely shoot low so at this distance, I’ve got lots of my front gold On-Target sight blade visible.  

Edited April 9 by Tall John
Word choice

[Needle-Nose-Tom]

Nice! How you liking those pistols? What all did he do? He's got a set of montados he short stroking for me now. Pretty excited to get them back. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Pretty high ES in fps.

Try magnum primers. 

[Jack Spade]

You do realize you have to fit those sights to your gun.  They come tall so you can file them to adjust your point of impact.  

[Tall John]

1 hour ago, Jack Spade said:

You do realize you have to fit those sights to your gun.  They come tall so you can file them to adjust your point of impact.  

 

Not sure it matters at the close ranges we shoot, but once I settle on the load I will use most, I’ll take my file with me to the range.

[Griff]

2 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Pretty high ES in fps.

Try magnum primers. 

Not really for thrown charges & a short case in the 45 Colt chamber, plus... using cut down 45 Colt cases adds another slight variable...  Unless I weigh each charge, weigh each bullet, that's in line with what I'm seeing when loading on my Dillon.  

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Actually, for what we do at Seven Yards - - - - - - - ? ? ? ?

 

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

5 hours ago, Griff said:

Not really for thrown charges & a short case in the 45 Colt chamber, plus... using cut down 45 Colt cases adds another slight variable...  Unless I weigh each charge, weigh each bullet, that's in line with what I'm seeing when loading on my Dillon.  

I would be try'n WW231/HP38 in that case.

 

5 hours ago, Tall John said:

 

Not sure it matters at the close ranges we shoot, but once I settle on the load I will use most, I’ll take my file with me to the range.

Take your calipers with you and only remove .005in at a time.

[Tall John]

you mean this stuff????? 🤠🤠🤠. Think I’ll start with Magnum primers and then try W231.