[wolfcreek]

I'm planning on getting a Ruger SA revolver. I'm trying to avoid introducing new calibers into my collection. I have other revolvers in .38, .357 and .44 magnum. I also have a .44 magnum lever action rifle.

I would like what I buy to be suitable for possible cowboy action type shooting, backcountry shooting and possibly as a trail gun.

If I got .44 special I could shoot the ammo from my lever action rifle. It seems like cowboy action is focused on .41 and .45LC though... like I said, I'd like to avoid introducing a new caliber.

In your opinion, what is "the" SA revolver to have? Thanks.

 

[FrogSwatter]

Well, with the .357 you'd be able to shoot .38spcl. through it. I don't know much about cowboy action shooting or what calibers they allow. I'm sure someone else knows. Anybody?

 

[VAPatriot]

Can't help on cowboy rules, but I love the Blackhawk in .357. Being able to throw .38 at the range save a few bucks.

 

[greyhawk50]

As for the Cowboy Shoots, I'm not involved. However I have 2 close friends that are SASS members. You can reference the link to find the allowable calibers. See page 9-10. It's a pretty liberal list including 38/357 & 44 cals.
http://www.sassnet.com/Downloads/2011ROMaterials/SASSHandbook-17-2011.pdf
I hope this helps.

Grey

 

[FrogSwatter]

This is from cowboyactionshooters.com's website.

Select*ing Cow*boy Action Shoot*ing Revolvers

You need to have two revolvers, and most com*peti*tors pre*fer matched pairs. While the most pop*u*lar cal*ibers are the .45 Colt and .38 Spe*cial, most 1800’s-type cal*ibers are allow*able. Revolvers with 7½” bar*rels are eye-catching and easy to sight, but they can be weari*some to use in long com*pe*ti*tions. 5½” and 4¾” bar*rels require less effort to han*dle through extended matches.
Cow*boy Action Shoot*ing revolvers are deter*mined by their sights and the type of pro*pel*lant involved. In the Mod*ern cat*e*gory, shoot*ers can use Ruger Black*hawks or other single-action revolvers of the period that have adjustable sights. Firearms in the Tra*di*tional cat*e*gories, which includes Tra*di*tional, Gun*fighter, Duelist, and Black Pow*der, should have tra*di*tional non-adjustable sights.
Black Pow*der revolvers may either be the muzzle-loading type like the Colt 1851 Navy, or cartridge-type revolvers that use black pow*der rounds. When choos*ing revolvers, visit a gun store and test their firearms. Rugers are ter*rific guns but they are too sophis*ti*cated and can be rather heavy for some people.
Ladies and some men with smaller hands pre*fer to use Bis*ley grips or birds-head grips. Men with very large hands may choose older Rugers which are slightly big*ger than the con*ven*tional Colts. The Colt Dra*goon replica is an extremely large revolver that can also be used by peo*ple with larger hands.

This is a link to the SASS handbook PDF. Page 9 talks about calibers.

http://www.sassnet.com/Downloads/SASSHandbook-v18.2-2012Highlighted.pdf


Hope this helps.

 

[FrogSwatter]

Not sure where all the *'s came from. they weren't there in the post preview. Sorry!

 

[wingspar]

New Model Blackhawk in .357.

The New Model Super Blackhawk in .44 mag. Can still shoot .44 special and share ammo with your .44 mag lever action rifle. If I already had the .44 mag in a lever action rifle, that would be my choice.

 

[Terminatorret]

...and the .357 Blackhawk Convertable will chamber .357, .38 and 9mm. 9mm's are even cheaper than .38's, but with a trade-off of possibly being less accurate at longer ranges during range practice. You gotta' ask yourself, am I trying to stop a bear or a 350 lb homicital maniac who just picked me out? Any size round will stop a human with proper shot placement and decent penetration...bears? I dunno.

 

[Yoda]

I shoot Cowboy action and use .44 Mag. Since we download our ammo to less than 1000 fps for pistol and less than 1400 fps for rifle, the .44 spl will work just fine. However, I prefer to shoot mag cases, just down load them to about 800 fps. I was concerned that after shooting spl cases in a mag rifle and pistol, one could build up enough carbon in the chamber that you couldn't load mag brass. A friend of mine found that out in his .357 pistols and rifle. He managed to get the pistol cylinders clean enough, but he's still working on the rifle.

BTW, sometimes for fun, I'll load the ammo with black powder (pyrodex actually) and shoot in the frontier cartridge category. Love the smoke and the boom!

 

[Railbuggy]

As a reloader,I was already casting lead for my 1911s.So it was easy for me.I went with 45colt in my Readhawk and Blackhawk.

 

[SHOOTER13]

I own a Ruger Bisley Vaquero chambered for .357 magnum... it's nice to be able to practice with the .38 wadcutters.

 

[wolfcreek]

Thanks for suggestions, all. I've been watching some NSSF instructional vids on youtube and it appears that the Vaquero is the one (two) to get. I guess there's a lot more to SASS than I realized in terms of equipment... pair of revolvers, rifle, shotgun, costume, gun leather, cart, etc.

Also, those guys look too damn good - I couldn't believe the speed.