Reloading Ammo

Starline Brass is a relatively new supplier of high quality cartridge cases. Jeff Quinn used Starline's .45 Colt brass in a pair of Ruger Vaqueros. He says the appearance and finish of the brass is excellent and has uniformity. The brass from Starline is very consistent in both measurement and weight. Flash hole uniformity seems near perfect.

The Starline .45 Colt brass is heavier, that means it is thicker. Thickness near the head of a cartridge case gives it the strength needed for heavy loads. Primer pockets stayed tight throughout the tests, indicating good strength and reloadability. The Starline cases hold up well and should last a long time.

I like the Colt .45 even though they are more expensive and hotter for cowboy action shooting I feel it is accurate and more authentic. I plan to purchase 1000 unprimed brass shells for future use. The Gun Show was sold out when I attended, so I purchased 500 brassings from Starline. The delivery time was amazing, but they could only promise 500.

First Cowboy Action Shooting Match

Today I visited the Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club in Montpelier, Virginia. What a first impression! I was not sure if the weather conditions would allow a match today; that would soon be put to rest because it appears CAS’s are die hard people and shoot no matter what. My purpose for the visit was to fully observe and ask better questions. I though it best to consult with experienced people on the range before making any more purchases of firearms, clothing, ammo and accessories.

Friendly, courteous, hospitable, warm, not enough words to describe the great reception I received. I believe these people would give you the shirt off their back. I did not intend to participate in the shooting match this day, but they insisted. I was overwhelmed and did not know what to say.

Participation requires 1 rifle, 1 shotgun, 2 handguns, holster, ammo, and some accessories. To-date I only have a holster, 2 handguns, cowboy hat & boots, some ammo. I sold most of my weapons years ago. Within what seemed like minutes shooters collectively provided me with EVERYTHING I needed to participate in the shooting match. One member let me use his rifle and shotgun, another member loaned me a shotgun belt, other members loaned me various ammo and so on. It was like one-stop shopping of all the things I did not have and did not know I needed. They asked only that in the future I do the same for someone in my position. A philosophy I live by so I was happy to see it exists here.

A better lesson I could not have had because experiencing it answered in a personal way the questions I came to ask. The personal attention I received you could not pay for. My questions were answered; my mistakes and errors were graciously pointed out to me. Safety was the first priority. I thought I had been taught sa

fety, but CAS places an entirely different spin, on having fun, while being extremely conscious of how to protect yourself and the shooters around you in this group setting. If I learned nothing else today it was I need a gun cart. I have now begun with lots to learn and a long journey ahead of me.

Cowboys and cowgirls, because I met two of the nicest ladies you will ever meet; this is the most fun you could ever have inside the legal city limits. My thanks to everyone for a wonderful and fun day.

Gun Leather

Finally, the long awaited western gun belt and holster has arrived. Now all I need is a rifle and shotgun and I am ready to go. Now all I need is a rifle and shotgun to participate in Cowboy Action Shooting matches.

Hat Purchase

You should never shop for hats or boots without making several visits to the western store. First impressions or choices are not always your best. I made four visits to Myrna's Boots and Bits to purchase my cowboy western hat for Cowboy Action Shooting. My mistake was going after work dressed for business. Final on the fourth visit dressed in jeans and not a business suit I made the choice you see in this photo. Not even close to my prior visits.

Kenny was patient on every visit and understood that spending time with me might not pay off until later. Guess it finally paid off this time I purchased a Stetson, 7 1/8 size oval with 3 1/2 brim, Teague style, ID# SW01110734.

Cowboy Hat Choice

I tried the bone color cowboy hat today and I really like it. I thought it looked good on me, but it was really hard to tell, because for one thing I was dressed in a business suit. Maybe I will go back when I am wearing jeans and cowboy shirt.

The hat band matches the color of my gun belt and holster. The gunleather maybe a little lighter even.

Online they have it in a black color, but I think black hats make me look old and sinister. Sagebrush Coyote cannot be a sinister character. A fun loving cowboy he is.

So I can remember; Resistol , Hondo, size 7 1/8. I grew up around gentlemen who wore the cattleman style hats (little fancier than this one), must be their influence on me.