Cowboy Fast Draw

Participated in my first Cowboy Fast Draw event today. Rode over with the Richmond, Chesterfield gang.

I placed number 13 out of 17 shooters for my first time out.

Reloading

I have a reloader for my shotgun and a reloader for my brass. Pictures and details will follow.

Safety Mechanism

The safety on my shotgun caused it not to fire several times on the range. According to one forum this is common with the safety feature on Uplander. Nothing a 12" straightblade screwdriver, philips screwdriver and punch cannot slow.

I am not the best gunsmith so it took me an hour to complete this project. Remove the butt plate and unscrew the rear stock, which exposes the saftey mechanism. You punch out the pin; leaving the saftey switch for cosmetic reasons, but removes the lock over the trigger.

Cowboy Action Shooting requires the shotgun to be breached, unloaded and pointed down range at all times, so there is no need for a safety. It also slow down your match time each time you have to undo the safety.

Reloading

I purchassed an Ultrasonic Cleaner (pictured above) from Harbor Freight for wet cleaning of brass. It was on sale for $25.00, I thought it was good alternative.

I returned to Harbor Freight to purchase the tumbler cleaner picture above. Again on sale for $49.95, I am very pleased with the results.

I purchased fine walnut shell media, so I can immediately start cleaning my brass after a cowboy match. The length of time when I hand spent brass to my person doing my reloading is getting longer now that I have more brass. I was told to clean my brass as soon as possible, so I am doing it my self now.

Also I am considering purchasing a used MEC, 12 guage reloader from a friend.

Many things to consider in reloading brass and shotgun ammo, especially if the prices continue to rise and the difficulty associated with finding 45 LC ammo on the shelf. Cowboy loads vary too much when you commercially purcase, so I want to engineer my own.

I continue to talk with people and read forums to get ideas.

New Shotgun

My backup set is now complete. I purchased a used Stoeger, Uplander side by side, 12 gauge shotgun Saturday. The only real difference I see is that the Coach gun has a 20 inch barrel compared to the Uplander's 26" barrel, so I can still use it for trap shooting.

It has taken me roughly 9 months to complete the purchase of the basics needed to particiapte in Cowboy Action Shooting matches without having to borrow something from another shooter.

Sometime in July I attended a reloading seminar at Pro Bass Shop near Ashland. Got a few ideas about reloading my own ammo.

While it has been a slow process, I recommend newcomers take their time to choose guns, clothes and other accessories for CAS. Other players are happy to let you try their guns to see they meet your needs, so take advantage of it, I am glad I did.

I found out I do better with a double barrel rather than a pump, smiply because I have a natural tendence to load ammo with my left hand.

I think things are coming along nicely, I really enjoy this game. For me I just enjoy the game and do not have expectations of becoming competitive, just in it for the fun.