COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING
Cowboy Action Shooting is a multifaceted amateur shooting sport in which contestants compete with firearms typical of those used in the taming of the Old West: single action revolvers; lever action rifles; and side by side double barreled, pre-1899 pump, or lever action shotguns.
The shooting competition is staged in a unique, characterized, Old West style.
Contestants shoot in several four gun (two single action revolvers, lever rifle, and period shotgun) stages (courses of fire) in which they engage steel and/or cardboard targets. Scoring is based on accuracy and speed.
The truly unique aspect of Cowboy Action Shooting™ is the requirement placed on authentic period or western screen dress. Each participant is required to adopt a shooting alias appropriate to a character or profession of the late 19th century, or a Hollywood western star, and develop a costume accordingly.
Typical Monthly Match
- 6 stages (courses of fire)
- 60 rounds of revolver ammunition
- 60 rounds of rifle ammunition
- 24 – 30 shotgun shells
- Usually 3 to 4 hours depending on the number of competitors (competitors are broken into posses ranging from 12 to 18 participants so that everyone isn’t on the same stage at the same time causing a slow down).
Firearms Requirements
Firearms must operate as intended by the original pre-1900 designs they depict. Firearms must function in a safe manner.
Rifle Requirements
Rifles or carbines used in the main and team matches must be original or replicas of lever or slide action rifles manufactured during the period from approximately 1860 until 1899, incorporating a tubular magazine and exposed hammer. Rifles with box magazines may not be used. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of rifle and ammunition to be used. Please see the shooting categories for further information
Rifle Calibers
- Must be centerfire of at least .32 caliber and not larger than .45 caliber.
- Must be in a caliber commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. The only allowed exceptions are the .25-20 and .56-50.
- No rifle calibers such as .30-30 or .38-55 are allowed.
- Buckaroo/Buckarette Category competitors choosing to utilize .22 caliber firearms must use standard velocity .22 caliber rimfire ammunition only.
Revolver Requirements
Original single action revolvers manufactured prior to 1899, their approved replicas, and the
SASS approved single action adjustable sight revolvers are the only revolvers approved for use in SASS main match competition. The rules relative to SASS approved revolvers depend upon the competition category in which one participates. Sights are a major factor for determining in which category a revolver may be used. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of revolver and ammunition be used. Please see the shooting categories for further information.
No more than two main match revolvers may be carried to the firing line.
Revolver Calibers
- Must be centerfire calibers of at least .32 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber or percussion calibers of at least .36 caliber and no larger than .45 caliber.
- Must be in a caliber commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum, .44-40, and .45 Colt.
- Standard velocity .22 caliber rimfire ammunition is allowed within the Buckaroo Category only.
- Although the .32 caliber revolvers and .36 caliber cap and ball revolvers are legal, they may not be powerful enough to handle all reactive targets.
Shotgun Requirements
Any side-by-side or single shot shotgun typical of the period from approximately 1860 until
1899 with or without external hammers, having single or double triggers is allowed. Automatic ejectors are allowed on single shot break action, lever, and pump action shotguns ONLY. Sideby- side shotguns may not use automatic ejectors. Lever action, tubular feed, exposed hammer shotguns of the period are allowed, whether original or replicas. The only slide action shotgun allowed is the Model 1897 Winchester shotgun, whether original or replica. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of shotgun and ammunition to be used. Military configurations are not allowed (i.e., trench guns). Please see the shooting categories for further information.
Shotgun Gauges
- Side-by-side, single shot, and lever action shotguns must be centerfire of at least 20 gauge and no larger the 10 gauge.
- Slide action shotguns must be centerfire of at least 16 gauge and no larger than 12 gauge.
- Side-by-side, single shot, and lever action centerfire shotguns in .410 are allowed within the Buckaroo Category only.
Ammunition
The minimum standard for center-fire ammunition used in all smokeless categories in all SASS matches State, Regional, National, International, and World Championship Competitions is not less than a minimum power factor of 60 and no velocity may be less than 400 fps. The maximum velocity standard for revolvers is 1000 fps. The maximum velocity standard for rifles is 1400 fps. Pocket pistols, derringers, and long-range rifles are exempt from the power factor and velocity requirements.
Power factors are simply calculated by multiplying the bullet weight times the velocity and then the resulting number is divided by 1000.
Some examples are as follows:
100 gr bullet traveling at 600 fps has a power factor of 60: (100x600)/1000=60.00
77 gr bullet traveling at 800 fps has a power factor of 61.6 (77x800)/1000=61.60
200 gr bullet traveling at 400 fps has a power factor of 80 (200x400)/1000=80.00
Revolver and rifle ammunition may not be jacketed, semi-jacketed, plated, gas checked, or copper washed. It must be all lead. Molydisulfide coated bullets or equivalent are acceptable.
Shotgun shot size must be number six lead birdshot or smaller for all events.
Safety
SAFETY IS OUR #1 PRIORITY
EVERYONE is a Safety Officer
All SASS Rules apply.
All shooters are expected to be familiar with SASS rules. The only thing more important than having fun is a safe shoot. Each shooter is also a Safety Officer. If you see something unsafe, speak up.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed while guns are out.
No one will be allowed to shoot if they are impaired.
Gunpowder Creek is a cold range. That means that firearms can only be loaded at the loading table under the supervision of a Safety Officer. Firearms must be inspected at the unloading table prior to leaving the stage. If you arrive at the next stage and there are spent or live rounds in any firearm, it will be a stage DQ for the previous stage. Cap and ball pistols are considered loaded only if there is a cap on the cylinder.
Safety rules include;
- The 170 rule is in effect at all times. Please watch you muzzles.
- Only registered shooters may wear firearms.
- A round over the berm is a Match DQ.
- Once the first round goes down range, you are committed to the stage. If you have a firearm or ammunition malfunction, declare the malfunction and hand it off to the Timer Operator. Then continue with the rest of the stage.
- Stage Re-shoots will only be allowed for the following reasons:
>>>>>>Prop or match equipment failure
>>>>>> Range officer impeding the progress of a shooter
>>>>>> Timer failure or unrecorded time.
- Shotguns may be loaded on the move, however once the action is closed, the basketball traveling rule is in effect. One foot must remain stationary. No drive by loadings. You cannot load a live round into a shotgun and then proceed to shoot another firearm.
- Unsafe firearm handling – or rude behavior will not be tolerated.
- Eye and Ear protection is required at all times in the shooting bays. If you forgot your eye or ear protection, we can fix you up.
- All disputes must be addressed before the Posse leaves that stage. If a problem should arise, take it away from the firing line and have the Timer Operator contact the Posse Leader. If the dispute cannot be rectified, the Posse Leader will contact the Match Director. Decisions are final at this point. Be safe and have a good shoot.
New Cowboy in Town
We love to have new cowboys join us at our Monthly matches.
You must know basic firearm safety and be able to operate a single action revolver, lever action rifle and a shotgun. We will help you every step of the way to learn how to safely shoot a SASS match, however, if you need basic firearms training, this is better suited for one-on-one lessons which we will be happy to help you schedule.
Most new shooters, and many experienced shooters, get nervous. This is nothing to be scared or embarrassed about.
Come and join us or any other SASS club and see what all the fun is about.