357 vs 45 Long Colt in SASS

C Broad Arrow

C Broad Arrow

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This may be a little out of the norm, but I am looking for some feed back on which calibre to shoot in SASS.

I have a number of Smiths that are 38/357. However, none of them are suitable for SASS. I am require to buy a SA revolver and lever gun and am trying to decide between staying in the 38/357 realm where any load I make could be used by all of my Smiths, or moving more toward historical accuracy by plunging into the 45 colt world for a SAA and a matching lever gun. The guns will be used primarily for SASS, although I want the flexibility of using the lever as a deer rifle when dogging or in heavy cover.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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The .38 Spl is one of the top choices in the world of SASS and is a lot cheaper to shoot. The .45 Colt is also very popular. Were I to be just starting again in SASS would probably stay with the .38.....I am using 44-40's in SASS right now and having a blast.

Many will start with a pair of Ruger Vaquero's or Uberti clones of the 1873 Colt, a Marlin 1894 lever gun or even more popular are the Uberti clones of the 1866/1873 Winchester's.

Shotguns are most often a SxS coach type of shotgun. The Winchester 1897/Norinco clone are the only pumps allowed.

As far as using your lever gun for hunting you should have it chambered for at least the .357 Mag. I would have no qualms using my 44-40 with a jacketed bullet...a .45 Colt with a good jacketed bullet would work well also just be mindful of your maximum distance.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Randy

SASS member 62920
 
45 Colt is king and more traditional.

357 (38 spl) is faster for follow-up shots, and cheaper to shoot.

Don't forget 44mag (44 spl) The special is also a classic round.

All three are equally easy to reload.

I have Vaqueros in 357/38, 44, and 32-20 (don't have a 45SA) and a lever action companion for each. You can't go wrong with any of them.
 
The 45 Colt is more traditional but all the SASS ppl I know shoot the 38 spl. And they also complain about the recoil of the 45! Real cowboys!
 
I shoot SASS with four grandkids. We all shoot Vaqueros except for Rhinestone Rachel who shoots birdshead single sixes in .32, .38 for her rifle. She also shoots a 12 gauge double that almost bigger than she is. Oldest grandson & I shoot .45, rifle & pistol. Middle grandson shoots the .38 in rifle & pistol. Whatever they shoot they have to reload for it, if it's for Cowboy or ripping off whole magazines at a time from my Bushmaster. The .38's are cheaper to reload but only by a little bit. If you are set up to reload .38's don't change. If it ain't broke don't fix it. You know the loads, you have the experience so use it. As many shoot .38 as shoot .45 in the two clubs I shoot with each month. Some bring out the .44 magnums and other sometimes odd calibers, but it's all about looking good and having fun. Just have fun with it.

The Legendary
Cherokee Slim
World Famous Cowboy Action Shootist
 
Which is why I shoot 44-40........as correct as it gets and is probably the first centerfire cartridge to do double duty in handgun and rifle.


Randy

Agent Smith said:
The .45 Colt in a lever gun isn't historically accurate anyway, so go for the .38/.357, cheaper to load and shoot.
Click to expand...
 
The goal is to hit the target and/or knock it down. I like big, slow bullets. 'Nuff said there. If you aren't getting accuracy from a .45 in a lever gun, then the load or gun needs changing or help. I do not shoot SASS, but know a few ladies and gents that do. They seem to gravitate towards the .45, but they are also duplicitous and live in Alaska. The bigger round makes more sense. I own and shoot .45 SA, double-actions, and a bevy of lever guns in the afore mentioned caliber with no issues of accuracy. My little 16" take-down 92 is often shot at a steel gong at 300 yards. I'm holding a full sight at that range but it is not hard to hit the 3' h x 2' w steel at that distance. These are 300 grainers at @ 1400 out of my 92. My favorite 255's at an even thou. command more sight for that distance. Nothing wrong with the .38/.357 other than it not being a .45............JMO Best of luck in your choice. Shoot safely.........
 
Another consideration on .38 Spl is that on a bigger matches it is a "Lost Brass" match meaning all brass on the ground is Lost or belongs to the club. .38SPL is far less costly to loose than 45 Colt or my 44-40's for that matter.

Randy
 
Haven't shot for a few years, but I used a Marlin and Vaquero combination with .44 mag brass loaded to .44 spl specs. That way it didn't foul the revolver chambers. My daughter had a similar set up in .38/.357. She managed to win the NH Junior Championship two years running. I reloaded for both of us and the cost of 44 over 357 wasn't that drastic. At those specs I almost never threw away any brass.
 
I went with 38/357 when I started due to having the equipment to reload it. If you reload the cost between 38 and 45 is not enough to lean one way or another. If you're competitive the 38 should be quicker due to less recoil. If you wanting to have fun, do what ever you like. Either way, you will have a good time. If you are ever in Etna Green Indiana, come see us at Cutters Raiders Paradise Pass. We shoot the first Saturday of the month year round.

Slipnotz
Sass# 82217
 
I started with a Colt .44 Special, then had a .44-40 cylinder fitted to match my Winchester.
Period correct but expensive to buy and a bit tedious to load.

The main advantages of .38 Special are cheap ammo and low recoil.
The main disadvantage is a heavier, less well balanced gun with the smaller holes in barreland cylinder.
 
I started in SASS with .45 Colt. When I went to Cowboy Mounted Shooting, that's the only caliber that's allowed, so that's what I've stayed with. If I was planning on only shooting SASS, I'd probably go with .38 Special.
 
I shoot 45LC Vaquero revolvers, Uberti 1873 rifle and Winchester 1897 (made in 1914) shotgun. I also shoot Ruger Security Six Birdshead revolvers in 32 H&R mag when I want something different. The top gamers, such as Lead Dispenser shoot 38 spcl but I have seen many rifle failure to feed reloads during competition while there are very few problems with the 45LC. 45LC can be down loaded so there is minimum recoil.
 
The 38 Special is more competitive and the 45 is more cowboy. What is drawing you to SASS? Do you want to be a cowboy or win the game? There are subtle differences, but everything about your choices in caliber, guns, footwear, holsters, etc take you down one of those two paths.

I started shooting in SASS in the 1980s. In the 90s the fork in the road became clear and I gave it some thought....decided that I was there to be "Henry McKenna" and to shoot the guns of the old west and wear historic clothing while hanging out with interesting folks. Started loading my 44's with real gunpowder (called "black powder" nowadays) and never looked back. Still having fun, but so are my friends who shoot little tiny calibers in modified guns to win trophies. Your call.

Take a look at 44 Special/magums. I shoot traditional 44 Russians in the handgun and pretend the 44 Special (FFg packed)rifle is a ballistically similar 44 WCF. The rifle, a Browning 92, doubles as an excellent deer rifle with modern 300 gr 44 magnums. These are all good calibers to handload. I have also enjoyed actual 44 WCF guns, although a bit slower to handload.
 
What is slow and tedious about loading the 44-40? I've loaded thousands of them in my Dillon 550B with NO problems. You need to make sure the casing is going straight into the die but we do that anyway don't we?

Randy
 
Marlin made a .38 Cowboy rifle for awhile that was already tuned up, with an octaginal barrel. I have a friend that has two and they are shooters. If you can find one of those you will be in business. I started with a couple of Ruger Vaqueros and a Marlin in .44 mag, becuase I have been loading .44 for years. I use a 200 grain bullet that seems to be fairly accurate, and it has less recoil than a 240 grain bullet. My objective is to shoot as fast as I can, under control, withoug missing, and have a good time. Mostly, just have a good time. i started out in bullseye and then PPC, so I do not like to miss those big targets at close range/!!
 
It really doesn't matter which you choose....usually it ain't long before we're all looking for excuse to get another gun/caliber/model/etc.

I started without a even a caliber-matching pair. Within a few years I had generated enough excuses for multiple calibers, barrel lengths, grip configurations, etc that it was almost embarrassing if I wasn't busy having so much fun.

Then if are drawn by the Dark Side and the Holy Black takes root, you've got another whole galaxy of choices.....don't ask how I know this.....
 
shoot 38 spl ,the brass is cheap and it takes 1/2 the powder that 44 takes and the bullets are cheaper by 1/2 .if you want to be good youll have to practice,youll load alot of ctgs
westsyde mike
sass#92609
ps i do want to get some 45s too lol
 
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