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What
is Cowboy Action Shooting?
"It’s the fastest growing shooting sport in North America!"
This activity is known for its friendly participants, good
sportsmanship, and wholesome fun. Cowboy Action Shooting has a variety
of classes and can be enjoyed by anyone. Juniors and women are not only
allowed - they are encouraged to participate! Whole families are known
to get involved.
CAS revolves around the clothing and equipment reminiscent of the
1800’s. Period dress is encouraged, and aliases are a must! To some,
the costuming is as important as the shooting.
Contestants are divided into "posses" of 10 to 15, and everyone pitches
in to help run the stages. Some of the duties required are Loading
Table Range Officer, Timer, Spotters, Unloading Table Range Officer,
Brass Pickers, Score Keeper, etc. Everyone can help out with some
activity to make the event run smoothly. As you get more proficient and
comfortable with CAS, you can take on the various duties.
Each match consists of several stages, each different from the other.
Usually 4 firearms are required in the scenarios for the stages. A
rifle of pistol calibre of .25 or greater, with external hammer; a
shotgun of 20 to 10 gauge, either lever or pump action with exposed
hammer, or double barrel with or without external hammers, and
extractors / not ejectors; and 2 revolvers of 1800’s vintage that are
single action of .32 calibre or larger. Lead bullets only, no jacketed
bullets allowed. Vintage originals in safe condition or reproduction
firearms are used.
Targets are metal, cardboard or thrown targets. (Example: clay pigeons,
tin cans, etc.)
Each competitor is timed and scored for hits or misses (5 second
penalty per miss) on each stage.
Besides the main match stages (usually 4 or 5 per day), side matches
are usually offered. These can be long range "buffalo rifle" targets,
pocket pistol or derringer targets, speed rifle/pistol/shotgun targets,
team shoots, etc.
As one competitor said, "this is the most fun you can have
with your boots on!"
There
are lots of photos on the Photos
page that show
the period costumes, the targets, the stages, and the firearms.
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