LAMOILLE VALLEY FISH & GAME CLUB
A PLACE TO SHOOT
Cowboy Action Shooting 101
by Andy Squires a.k.a. "Doc McCoy"
Cowboy Action Shooting is an attempt to relive the time of the "Old West." Shooters negotiate scenarios based on real or imagined incidents from the history of the 19th century American West or the silver screen of the Saturday matinee.
In the scenarios, Props, aliases, and period clothing are all utilized to help establish the feel of the
American West of over 100 years ago.
You’ll often see such props as a saloon, fences, wagons or jail cell used in a scenario.
Each shooter is expected to adopt a particular "alias" such as Ol’ Beaver Tooth, Doc McCoy, Eyesa Horg, Sweet Mariss, Ranger Sgt. Jake McCandles, Chelsea Kid, Emma Goodcook and others.
They then dress in clothing appropriate for the persona they have chosen whether it be a cowboy, schoolmarm, blacksmith, gambler, saloon girl, banker, Indian, or lawman. You won't find baseball caps, sneakers or T-shirts at a CAS event! Minimum dress can be as simple as a long-sleeved shirt, jeans and boots.
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Unlike many modern "high tech" shooting matches, Cowboy Action Shooting takes pride in the use of firearms available between the Civil War and 1899. The technology of this sport is limited to what can be found in original or reproduction firearms of the period. While many shooters will have action jobs on their guns, that is not necessary for new shooters. Out-of-the-box is fine!
Firearms needed include two single action revolvers, a lever action rifle in pistol caliber, and a side-by-side pre-1899 pump or lever action shotgun. Young shooters under age 14 may use .22 and .410 guns.
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Shooting competitions utilize reactive steel targets and live ammunition in their scenario reenactments. Ammo must be lead bullets only with pistol velocity under 1000 fps and rifle velocity under 1400 fps. Shotgun ammo must be lead shot, #4 or smaller.
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Shooters are grouped in categories based on the way the pistol is held when shooting (one or two-handed), the ammo used (smokeless vs. black powder), their age or their costuming.
But above all, Cowboy Action Shooting emphasizes FUN rather than all out "win at any cost" competition. This is an opportunity to make friends and to share an appreciation for the lore and legend of the most well-known and unique period in American history, its equipment, dress and lifestyle.
For further information contact "Doc McCoy" (Match Director) at
802-363-7162 or
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