Bought my first cowboy gun

[biologicole]

Hi All,

I finally bought my first cowboy action gun and am ready to get started shooting.  I got a Ruger Bisley Vaquero 45 LC in stainless with a 5 1/2 inch barrel.  I put 24 rounds through it last weekend and it shoots well, but maybe a bit to the left. 

I just got in some brass today and am looking for some advice on the type and weight of bullets to reload.  I will probably be using Titegroup because I have several pounds already.  What is everybody using?  Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

I also have lots of other questions.....like what is the best entry level rifle (45 LC) and shotgun to use?  I'm sure I will ask other questions in the future, but all in due time.  I hope not to be too bothersome or ask too many newbie questions.

Many Thanks and Best Regards

[Blackpowder Burn]

Biologicole,

Ask away - that's how we all got started.  

There are lot's of different opinions on which rifle to start with, and a lot of it centers around how much money you have to spend.  The least expensive will be a Winchester Model 92 reproduction from someone like EMF or Taylors.  They are a strong rifle, but are not as fast as Winchester '73's.  They are also more prone to jams due to the nature of the action design, particularly when trying to shoot fast with straight walled cartridges like the 45LC.

Marlins are next in line for price.  They are rugged and reliable.  They are less prone to jams, but not totally immune.  They are not quite as fast as the '73's, but close.  Many think they are a great overall compromise.

The Winchester '73's are most expensive, and also the most commonly used.  The Winchester '66 and the 1860 Henry are functionally very similar.  With proper tuning they are almost immune to jamming and are as fast as lightning.  Their drawback is that they are not as strong as the Marlin or Winchester '92.  However, they are more than strong enough for any CAS loads you will be shooting.

There are also rifles like the Colt Lightning reproductions.  These are fun to shoot, but are a little finicky as well as expensive and not really the best idea for a beginning shooter.

I have one of each of the above rifles.  My favorite is a tuned Model '73.  I shoot the others occasionally.  I love the Lightning for the fun factor.

As for shotguns, I'd stick with a good side-by-side double.  Cimarron, EMF and Taylor import a really nice reproduction of the Colt 1878 outside hammered shotgun.  The price is very reasonable and it is well built and sturdy.

If you have more specific questions....let 'er rip.  We love to chew the fat about our favorite cowboy guns.

[Danny Bear Claw]

Good choice Bio.  You can't go wrong with a Ruger.  Is it the old model or new?  Mine is the old model, also with 5.5 inch barrel and caliber 45 Colt.  Mine, however is the blued version with white pearl grips.  I really like mine!

[biologicole]

It's a new model.  I hope to shoot it some more this weekend if the weather allows.  Probably won't do much shooting until I get some cartridges reloaded, store bought ammo is too expensive ($37 for 50).  What bullet weight and style works best for cowboy action shooting?  Also, where is a good place to buy some lead cast bullets? 

I've been looking at Rossi 92 and Marlin 1894 rifles but have not handled or shot either one.  I shoot long guns left handed, would the Marlin side-eject throw brass in my face?  I have not had this problem with other lever actions but it is a consideration. 

It looks like most people are going with "standard" rigs instead of drop style (Buscadero?) rigs.  What are the pros and cons of each?  I have a drop style rig for my single six but I am leaning more towards a standard rig for the 45 Colt. 

Many Thanks and Best Regards

[Regret Chancy]

Pard there was a real kindly older model feller that gave me some real good advice when i was about 12. (Along with a good place to deer and squirrel hunt and lots of old old hand me down guns that had been in his family since the civil war era to handle and admire) The advice was there is no such thang as a dumb question if you learn something from the answer. I have lots of favorite western guns and while all may not be the best choice in a quest for championships they are still fun to shoot and imagine with. I deer hunted this year with a Uberti 1860 Henry replica in 45 Colt and a 1875 Uberti Schofield in 45 Colt. Didnt have the best weather for rifle season so most of the big bucks pictures we have in trail cam photos didnt show up I got a respectable 4 does and 1 button buck over the 10 days of hunting and a deep freeze full of venison. Enjoy the lifestyle it is something really special. I envy you the Bisley I have had my eyes open for one but circumstance just hasnt put me in the right position to get one yet.
                       Regret Chancy

[Daniel Nighteyes]

I shoot long guns left handed, would the Marlin side-eject throw brass in my face?  I have not had this problem with other lever actions but it is a consideration.  

I'm a true southpaw.  I've shot a lot of rounds thru a lot of Marlins and never had a single piece of brass hit me.  Wish I could say the same thing about some other right-slinging rifles...

It looks like most people are going with "standard" rigs instead of drop style (Buscadero?) rigs.  What are the pros and cons of each?  I have a drop style rig for my single six but I am leaning more towards a standard rig for the 45 Colt.  

Buscadero rigs are largely a fabrication of the movie industry, as are most other drop-style rigs. In fact, a lot (if not most) of the photos of the era show the pistol butt riding as high as, or higher than, the top of the belt. I don't believe they're legal in NCOWS.  They are usually permitted in SASS, with exceptions of Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl and a couple of others.  If you choose to shoot in the SASS category called B Western, a buscadero rig is mandatory.

In short, if you're going for reasonable historical accuracy, leave the drop-rigs at home.  Otherwise, have at it!

-- Nighteyes

[Blackpowder Burn]

Your least expensive option for cast bullets is to find a local manufacturer.  Otherwise you'll have to pay shipping charges.  For national companies, try outfits like Desperado Cowboy Bullets, Lasercast, etc.  You can also purchase them from retailers like Midway USA, Natchez Shooter Supply, etc., etc.  A google search will yield a lot of sources.