Snuffy

When I first got started shooting Cowboy action I really didn't know which class I wanted to shoot at first then decided I wanted to classic cowboy. I have soon found out that I am not going to place any where near the top 10 at a big match in this class. But there is a senior dualest class and i have a pretty good chance of placing higher in that class. As I only have to shoot against shooters 60 years of age and older. With the rising cost of lead prices the amount of money I have to pay out for 45 bullet is a little higher than I want to pay these days. I can order new pistols in the 357 mag from Ruger ( I know said I wasn't going to do that ok there its been said.) And have them short stroked like I am my 45's The whole cost of doing this will run close to $3,000.00 maybe a litte less. But I would have the same basic triger pull and sights and grips as the 45's. But way cheaper reloading cost as I have hundreds of thousnads of bullets as I bought a man out years ago and just about every lead bullet is 38 brass I have tons of it and also many thousands of primers. I wouldn't break even on this deal until I loaded 3,000 rounds most of that I already have loaded from when I first started. I could use the 357's for practise and be where I could put several 1,000 rounds down range a month lots more ammo to practice with. Any how its starting to sound much better to me still just thinking it over in my mind. Thanks for the help men.

gunman42782

I have never shot a cowboy match in my life, but here is my 2 cents. From everything I have read about it, and watching the SASS matches on TV, it is my understanding that about all the top finishers in these matches use very low recoiling .38 Specials in their .357s. This is exaggerating a bit, but just enough powder in them for the bullet to barely clear the barrel! I guess it all boils down to how bad you want to win, vs. how authentic you want to be.

XLCH

If you decide to do this could you not find some used 57s to ease the pain, your just going to have them worked over anyway. If its going to make you happy go for it, life is to short.

44s Rock

+1!!
Sounds like you've got it worked out!!

Snuffy

Thanks for the input men, as far as lite loads yes we do shooot lite loads. Several reasons 1 we are shooting as steel target you hit one of those witha full load and someone is going to get hit by bullet fragments. At one match I got hit in the eye wasn't bad got me in the eye lid close to the nose bone and it sure hurt. My glass's had slided down and I didn't notice it I did with the bullet fragment got me. We do have a power fact of 60%. sothere is a power factor involved. Yes I know life is short and there is no need inwasting time thinking about if I am or if I am not. I have since this posting made several calls as to see what the cost would be so far it from 1250 to 1300. that is just the cost of the guns. I can save some money by only having 2 of the 45's worked on and having the 357 worked on after i get them 45's back. Still it all sounds like a go to me thanks for your help in this matter. Best pat the one place has them in stock 20 % down and they order them. great news.

Snuffy

ok another up date, best price 1250.00 bad part got to drive 30 miles one way to ge them if they have them in stock. The next best price 1290.00 and I can walk there to get them. The nest best price 1300.00 and I have to drive 35 miles one way to get them. So far the home town Snuffy's place has the best deal going. Have thought about buying some used ones but its been my experance having done that the guns we well used and were prone to breakage. After having that happen with in an hour of buying them didn't set to well with me. Then it was one thing after the next that went wrong with them. So I am of the mind that starting out with new I am better off. Yes ruger does still have some problems with their production guns, I am going to send them off to have the custom work done on them I was going to send both sets of the 45's but now I can send one set of 45's and then the 357's in the work is the same and of course the same price. I will just have the other 45's as back ups for the race ready 45's.
Having never really been in compation before but have had several friends that raced cars. They always had plenty of motors and tires and body parts all over the place never really understood why they needed all the parts. Starting to understand more why they had plenty of spare parts lol because they were at one or another need them lol. Pretty soon I might be smarter than sheepdog lol naw that anien't gonna happen is it?

Bountyhunter

Snuffy my local has a pair of Stainless 357 Mag Ruger Bisley's in right now. They are sweet guns. They are $450 each out the door. You need to find a deal like that.

Do you have any 45's you can trade in on the 357's?

sheepdog

...my choice would be find two OLD Vaqueros and have them worked over...you couldn't give me the new ones...the old Bisley Vaquero 4 5'8" feels like sex...

Snuffy

No don't have anything that I am willing to trade and no old ones to have worked on that I want to part with. Have decided to go with the Suffer's place tradin post at 1290.00 will do that in the am .

deputy125

are you changing rifle caliber as well?

Snuffy

No I only need to improve on the six guns right now but I still have use of a 66 if I need too. how about you have you shot a match yet?

Snuffy

sheepdog

...dagnabbit, you don't listen to NOBODY...just DO what you want, then!!! it's your damned money, anyways, don't know why I even BOTHERED THINKIN' about it....... :P :P :P :P :P

44s Rock

Snuffy

Now there ya go sheepdog gettin back hair all in an up roar, we was just talkin about. this and that and such yea see sd?

sheepdog

WELL ALRIGHT, THEN......remembered to take my happy pill...

Snuffy

Now there ya go again we was just gee and haain ya see, and not to worry much I am hopin to have your food bowl out of the pawn shop soon. trust soon.

sheepdog

...no hurry...it's in good company...

Snuffy

Nice of you to let the cats use it a while.