What is Cowboy Action Shooting?
Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) is not only a
shooting competition, but a
gathering of people with similar interests celebrating
the American cowboy way of life.
It is as much a social event and celebration of American history as it is a
competitive shooting sport. Cowboy Action Shooting was first
introduced in the early 1980's and has become since one of the most popular
shooting sports today.
Men and women, boys and girls are encouraged -but not
forced-to dress in authentic period correct frontier or cowboy clothing and as
you progress through different shooting stages you gather points based on the
success of your aim and fire points. You choose your
own personal "alias" or cowboy personality when you apply for a SASS membership.
Dressing in authentic cowboy gear and period correct clothing can be as much fun
as the shooting.
Progressions are made through different shooting
stages that are built in a manner of the old west
with targets placed in strategic
locations. Some "stages" may be a re-enacted scene out of an old west
movie or authentic American Cowboy frontier experience. Everyone registers an
alias name that is protected by SASS which allows you to develop the character
that you would like to portray as a unique individual in the sport.
What is SASS?
The Single Action
Shooting Society
is the organizing group behind the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) and is
integral in its continuing development. The exciting news is that it's growing
at an incredible rate. SASS has a monthly news magazine (The Cowboy Chronicle)
that is in itself worth the price of a membership. Follow the link to SASS to
visit and join the Cowboy Action Shooting family.
What kind of guns do I need?
You need two handguns which are usually single action revolvers.
Common calibers are .357 and 45 Long Colt. You also need a rifle, usually a
lever action, in a pistol caliber. It's a good idea to have it in the same
caliber as your revolvers. Many
leading gun manufacturers
have come out with a line of rifles and pistols dedicated to the sport of cowboy
action shooting. Shotguns may be a double barrel or a pump with an external
hammer. Keep in mind, if the double barrel has automatic ejectors, they must be
disabled.
How does the scoring work?
A match consists of a series of stages which are timed separately.
Each missed target is a five second penalty. There are also additional penalties
if you fail to follow instructions or do something which may be unsafe.
Safety is always considered the most important item in any shooting sport. At
many competitions your times are simply added at the end and the fastest total
time wins.
At most SASS recognized events, a system called Rank Scoring is
used. In each stage you are given rank points for your place of finish. The
first place shooter gets one rank point, the second gets two and so on. The rank
points are totaled at the end of the match and the person with the least points,
wins. Rank points can, and often do have a different outcome than total time.
What are the rules for Cowboy Action
Shooting and SASS Matches?
You can read the
SASS cowboy
action shooting handbook available here in pdf format. You also receive a
SASS Shooters Handbook and Rules with your membership. You might also want to
find a local club and can research
SASS
Affiliated Clubs in your area. You don't have to be a SASS member to Cowboy
Action Shoot. Check for local clubs in your area and go out and watch a match.
Don't be surprised if you are signed up for the next match before you leave. It
is a ton of fun.
