Cowboy Action rifle calibers

[CAVEMAN]

Evening all, does anyone have much knowledge on what calibers are allowed for cowboy action for rifles. From what i can tell 357/38, 45LC are the main stays. But are 44 or 30-30 acceptable.

Just toying with the idea of a lever gun, but trying to think of a useful choice as i don't mind the bigger rounds. But would like something that i could also possibly use for some cowboy action fun.

I wont mention 45/70, if i want a bruised shoulder ill go run slugs through my coach gun.

[No1Mk3]

G'day CAVEMAN,
44/40 and 38/40 are also allowed along with just about every handgun calibre from 32 to 45 including 44 Special and 44 Magnum but not 454 Casull , with 4440 being easier to get and reload, 30/30 is not allowed for SASS close range being a rifle caliber but for long range rifle comp is common. For main comp I seem to recall 25/20 was also allowed, Cheers.

[CAVEMAN]

Thanks for that info, i might ponder on 44 vs 357 now. Cheers

[Shootermick]

Thanks for that info, i might ponder on 44 vs 357 now. Cheers

Save yourself the pondering, just get both.

[CAVEMAN]

I've supported the economy too much lately, or maybe just enough. But the wallets giving me a stern look.

[womble]

357 / 38 is cheapest ammo

[linkoln]

30-30 It's the epitome of the cowboy cartridge; it was developed in 1895 specifically for leaver action so if you want to be a cow boy then that is the one to get. You can get a box of 20 for $25 so it isn't that expensive to run when you compare it to 45-70 The other cowboy round which will set you back something like $50 a box of 20.
357, 38, 44, are pistol calibers so saved them for handguns and shoot a round wild bill would be proud of.

[CAVEMAN]

30-30 It's the epitome of the cowboy cartridge; it was developed in 1895 specifically for leaver action so if you want to be a cow boy then that is the one to get. You can get a box of 20 for $25 so it isn't that expensive to run when you compare it to 45-70 The other cowboy round which will set you back something like $50 a box of 20.
357, 38, 44, are pistol calibers so saved them for handguns and shoot a round wild bill would be proud of.

I like the look of cowboy action but it does also seem watered down, I know pistol caliber carbines were the thing of the 1860's but they got beefy by the end. And they weren't shooting low recoil but full black powder boomers. But i guess in the name of fun its probably better, dysentery wasn't really fun either

[CAVEMAN]

357 / 38 is cheapest ammo

I'm thinking ill find a 357/38, then maybe a nice second hand 94 in 30-30. Or maybe the other way round.

[InisBineest]

Evening all, does anyone have much knowledge on what calibers are allowed for cowboy action for rifles. From what i can tell 357/38, 45LC are the main stays. But are 44 or 30-30 acceptable.

Just toying with the idea of a lever gun, but trying to think of a useful choice as i don't mind the bigger rounds. But would like something that i could also possibly use for some cowboy action fun.

I wont mention 45/70, if i want a bruised shoulder ill go run slugs through my coach gun.

I don't shoot cowboy action matches, but i do shoot 45-70 for hunting and for fun. I load my own and load them light, no bruised shoulder here, and i'm a skinny as dude:P

[womble]

357 / 38 is cheapest ammo

I'm thinking ill find a 357/38, then maybe a nice second hand 94 in 30-30. Or maybe the other way round.

I have a 357 marlin. But it's for fun. I wouldn't bother hunting anything with it.
30 30 you can hunt ferals with.

[womble]

454 casull I just want one. Grizzly stopper.
Realisticly 45/70 would be a better choice

[mickb]

357 / 38 is cheapest ammo

I'm thinking ill find a 357/38, then maybe a nice second hand 94 in 30-30. Or maybe the other way round.

I have a 357 marlin. But it's for fun. I wouldn't bother hunting anything with it.
30 30 you can hunt ferals with.

357 takes a lot of big pigs here in QLD. Quite a popular option. Stiff reloads knock at the door of moderate 30-30 power, but it doesnt have the legs past 150.

[mickb]

30-30 It's the epitome of the cowboy cartridge; it was developed in 1895 specifically for leaver action so if you want to be a cow boy then that is the one to get. You can get a box of 20 for $25 so it isn't that expensive to run when you compare it to 45-70 The other cowboy round which will set you back something like $50 a box of 20.
357, 38, 44, are pistol calibers so saved them for handguns and shoot a round wild bill would be proud of.

. The lever gun that probably 'won the west' was 20 years earlier, the winchester 1873 which was chambered in pistol size calibres, 44-40, later 38-40, 32-20 etc.

[perentie]

You have to use a pistol calibre carbine on the firing line anyway on most of the scenarios, along with the shotgun. As has been said the 30.30 is for a different side match . Long Range. So you need a carbine and a rifle if you are doing it all.

[CAVEMAN]

Settled on a Marlin 44, should have some thump factor but also allowed if i decide to throw.my hat in the ring.

[boingk]

Settled on a Marlin 44, should have some thump factor but also allowed if i decide to throw.my hat in the ring.

Nice one mate!

Incidentally I picked up the identical model in 357. Really nice little gun, just watch your case overall length as mine doesn't like shorter rounds... fairly common issue apparently.

- boingk

[womble]

Very nice.
Just wait to you see how dirty that barrel is new. Oh you will be busy.
Please keep us updated if or when any mods.

[wrenchman]

Nice

[Rwd22]

Settled on a Marlin 44, should have some thump factor but also allowed if i decide to throw.my hat in the ring.

Mrs just put a deposit on the same model chambered in 357 the other day, nice looking rifle on the over-all, but not too pretty to give a hiding

[womble]

I’ve got the 357. It likes 38 better. From what I’ve tried feeds better. And that’s enough knockdown for what i want. And a fair bit quieter.
The sights are awful but still can’t decide which way to go and i don’t want a scope on it.
The action and ejection is sweet From new. I like the trigger as it is. The loading gate is super stiff, but that’s just new. I left a shell casing in there for a while and some improvement.
Overall it’s a bucket of fun. Light and fast straight stock. It’s not super flash like you’d get for top dollar (maybe) but it’s built for fun.

[Rwd22]

I’ve got the 357. It likes 38 better. From what I’ve tried feeds better. And that’s enough knockdown for what i want. And a fair bit quieter.
The sights are awful but still can’t decide which way to go and i don’t want a scope on it.
The action and ejection is sweet From new. I like the trigger as it is. The loading gate is super stiff, but that’s just new. I left a shell casing in there for a while and some improvement.
Overall it’s a bucket of fun. Light and fast straight stock. It’s not super flash like you’d get for top dollar (maybe) but it’s built for fun.

Thanks for the heads up mate, I think 38 will be the choice to start with. Will likely start playing with some reloads for it, so will open the door for all sorts of fun.

I wasn't a real big fan of the sights, but figure we could add an optic to it, haven't looked into it too far yet.