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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 1:47 am
by clovishound
I toyed with the idea of it a few years back. Went to an event. They were very friendly. I enjoyed it, but was a little too rich for my blood at the time. I could probably swing it now, but don't have the time. I'm not a huge fan of "how fast can you shoot" either. Ironically, I now have have everything I would need to legally shoot, except my revolvers are DA. Of course, the Henry is not the best choice for SASS. At least, mine doesn't seem to like being cycled really fast, and they can't be short stroked. I think I would like the dressing up. No snide comments now! I would have liked to put together an outfit to match my grandfather's in this picture.
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I've got another with a lynx skin hanging on the cabin wall, and a Winchester by the door. I was going to use the nickname he had working as a cowboy in Wyoming, and then pair that up with the name of the ranch he was working at there.



IIRC they allow rimfire for the kids who compete.

I reload, so centerfire wouldn't break the bank.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 6:27 am
by Mistered
I'm not a huge fan of "how fast can you shoot"
Neither am I. I don't quite understand why speed became the cornerstone of the competition part of CAS. It dosent make sense really.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:40 am
by dddrees
I'm by far no expert because I don't even compete nor have I even gone to a SASS event. However when trying to research various information on lever guns when deciding whether to get a Winchester Miroku or Uberti I discovered with regards to SASS Winchester 1866s and 1873 reproductions were the the number one choice when it comes to SASS. I never intended to get in the sport but I figured I would gain some valuable information for making my decision. As it turns out there wasn't a whole bunch of information but there was a enough out there and it helped me make my choice.

Although I got the impression that the Winchester Miroku was the better made gun when compared to the UIberti and I saw the comment more than a few times that the Winchester Mirokus were the smoothest action out of the box but the Uberti is far and above the first choice. They simply have been around a lot longer than the new Winchester reproductions. There's simply more parts and more people who supply short throw kits and perform action jobs on the Ubertis. With regard to parts I have seen a number of comments where these guns take a lot of punishment and abuse and replacement parts are extremely important.

After these two it seems the Marlin is the next choice with Henry tending to be the last option mentioned. In fact at one point Henry's weren't even allowed in SASS competitions. Keep in mind Henrys tend to be fairly heavy guns and I am sure this also factors into it as well. Rossi's are used too but I couldn't tell you for sure where they ranked but they were an option of course as well. Basically a Rossi gives you a great economical choice although it may not be the best in category. But basically it seems that for those who are real competitor's they would typically choose a 1866 or a 1873 and of course both of these use the same toggle link action. 357 did seem to be the caliber of choice.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:55 am
by BrokenolMarine
In response to the original question.. No 22s....

Years ago I was chatting with a friend who shot cowboy action and told him I might like to try it. He was shooting in a local group. I told him I had a Ruger Single Action, but when he found out it was a 22, He said he would loan me one of his guns, no 22s.

There were a couple reasons, as he understood it. One was the calibration of the plates. They were set to fall with a solid hit from a 38 loaded to the minimum power factor. A 38 lightly loaded to reduce recoil wouldn't reliably drop the plates, even with a solid shot.

The second was tied to the first, recoil. The lower recoil of the 22 would offer an advantage to the shooter over those shooting center fire.
They did sometimes run fun gun 22 matches on paper targets, but they were a separate class.

I know that many of the other shooting sports require a power factor or put 22s in s separate class as well.

Note:

I was already shooting high power rifle and service pistol with the Corps... So I never did get the open weekend to try Cowboy Action with my friend. ;)

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:59 am
by jkrijt
The Dutch SASS (DWSA) does not want .22's either. Fortunately there is also the WLASSH (Winchester Lever Action Shooters Society Holland) who organise shooting matches for lever actions, including .22's.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:08 am
by North Country Gal
I like Dan's comment about using cowboy action shooting to research which guns are holding up and/or performing under the kind of use that most of us will never be experiencing with our guns. In fact, I've been using all the action shooting sports, not just cowboy, to do this very thing when contemplating a new gun purchase. You can learn a lot about which brands, designs and models are holding up to the punishment and bringing home the trophies.

I have a great amount of respect for all the top competitors in all the action shooting sports. The reason I declined several offers to join these sports is that I grew up shooting under the tutelage of instructors who pounded into me the concept of giving every shoot your best effort, whether it be at the range or hunting. I lived by the one shot, one kill, principle in my hunting days and even though I no longer hunt, this thinking still very much influences my choice in guns. No coincidence at all, then, that the vast majority of the guns in our collection are single shots. Again, can't say enough about the skill level it must take to win in actions shooting sports, but I just can't shake a lifetime of teaching and shooting habits, nor do I really have any interest to do so.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:47 am
by dddrees
North Country Gal wrote:I like Dan's comment about using cowboy action shooting to research which guns are holding up and/or performing under the kind of use that most of us will never be experiencing with our guns. In fact, I've been using all the action shooting sports, not just cowboy, to do this very thing when contemplating a new gun purchase. You can learn a lot about which brands, designs and models are holding up to the punishment and bringing home the trophies.

I have a great amount of respect for all the top competitors in all the action shooting sports. The reason I declined several offers to join these sports is that I grew up shooting under the tutelage of instructors who pounded into me the concept of giving every shoot your best effort, whether it be at the range or hunting. I lived by the one shot, one kill, principle in my hunting days and even though I no longer hunt, this thinking still very much influences my choice in guns. No coincidence at all, then, that the vast majority of the guns in our collection are single shots. Again, can't say enough about the skill level it must take to win in actions shooting sports, but I just can't shake a lifetime of teaching and shooting habits, nor do I really have any interest to do so.

I do alot of research with regards to what gun or anything I'm going to purchase on the internet. I often search numerous forums and conduct a good number of google searches as well. One thing can often lead to another. For me it's all a part of the fun but it's also a good way of gathering a lot of information about various products before actually purchasing them. I have found there are a good number of people with a vast amount of knowledge such as NCG that I don't have. There are fan boys as well but people like NCG always standout and those people are extremely helpful. Even with these people some people have different experiences and different perspectives and this is extremely valuable as well. I call all of this hanging out with the geeks. In no way do I mean any disrespect in fact it's a term of endearment to me and actually it signals that these are the experts and I hope to gain just a bit of knowledge from them. I'm a BIG believer in not actually having to bloody my knuckles all of the time when others who have much more knowledge and experience have gone before me. I also feel a whole lot more comfortable by the time I make my decision as to what I decided to purchase vs those I choose not too. Sometimes I will choose deferently than some I get guidance from but I'm making the choice that I believe will fit me best.

Often I will spend hours searching forums and still find that I have questions or doubts. Although the SASS site was helpful the 1911 forum was where it was all put together for me. This forum too had a number of gun enthusiasts with a vast amount of knowledge. The issue here was the SASS forum did not welcome any new members or at least the ability to request to join was not possible or was broke. I just recently did some of the same reffrence 22 bolt guns. Just as the good folks on the 1911 forum put it together for me so has the RimfireCentral folks help me out greatly as well. I post the thread and like a BIG Dummy I post my stupid questions. As time goes by I try to even ask smarter questions but like a BIG NEWB I still have no problem asking BIG STUPID QUESTIONS if need be. I've actually have done this more than a few times and it's been extremely helpful. It's amazing but not surprising how helpful enthusiasts are more than willing to help as long as you ask.


Details as mundane as they maybe to some are extremely important to me.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:54 pm
by BrokenolMarine
North Country Gal wrote:I like Dan's comment about using cowboy action shooting to research which guns are holding up and/or performing under the kind of use that most of us will never be experiencing with our guns. In fact, I've been using all the action shooting sports, not just cowboy, to do this very thing when contemplating a new gun purchase. You can learn a lot about which brands, designs and models are holding up to the punishment and bringing home the trophies.

I have a great amount of respect for all the top competitors in all the action shooting sports. The reason I declined several offers to join these sports is that I grew up shooting under the tutelage of instructors who pounded into me the concept of giving every shoot your best effort, whether it be at the range or hunting. I lived by the one shot, one kill, principle in my hunting days and even though I no longer hunt, this thinking still very much influences my choice in guns. No coincidence at all, then, that the vast majority of the guns in our collection are single shots. Again, can't say enough about the skill level it must take to win in actions shooting sports, but I just can't shake a lifetime of teaching and shooting habits, nor do I really have any interest to do so.
I admire your dedication to accuracy and to your ideals, but there are sports and competitions for everyone, with goals in mind. Benchrest comes to mind. Slow pace, groups are the key and measured in fractions. :) Always tweeking, never satisfied, and meticulous to a fault.

Police Pistol had it's place, there were some rapid fire stages, but winning groups were ragged holes with twelve shots in them. Winning fifty yard groups at state level matches were all 10s and Xs; mostly Xs. :lol:

Bullseye, a yawn for most, but skillsets to win at higher levels required hours and hours of practice and thousands of rounds down range. The good thing about many of these formats are that good shooters with physical challenges could still be competitive. No running and jumping involved. Those with gray hair weren't automatically looked upon with contempt. 8-) Often those more seasoned shooters were the most feared in Bullseye and Benchrest. ;)

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 3:54 pm
by North Country Gal
To be sure, the sport of shooting is a big umbrella. Something for everyone. It's what I love about it.

Re: Anyone here know why SASS is against 22s?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 4:49 pm
by BrokenolMarine
North Country Gal wrote:To be sure, the sport of shooting is a big umbrella. Something for everyone. It's what I love about it.
When the new batch of young officers showed up at each PPC match with a wad of singles in their pockets, I knew it was time for me to move on. I had no one to impress and I had met my personal goals. (To explain, a shooter scores the target beside him, and can challenge the scoring of any stage on his target during the match. He pays the judge a fee to do so, which is returned if he wins the challenge. Each match director sets the fee, usually a dollar or two.

The new attitudes changed the tone for me. They became less fun and more like work. :(

I had my range at home, and no match fees, no long drives. Much more relaxed. I missed the gang... Not the stress.