SASS caliber questions

sgtar15 · May 30, 2000, 11:08 PM

I was thinking of purchasing a Rugar Vaquero pistol. If I get it in 357 magnum will I be able to use it in SASS compition later??
How about 357/38 cal. in rifles??

Thanks
sgtar15

San Francisquito Bill · May 31, 2000, 12:48 AM

sgtar15,

The Vaquero is one of, if not the most popular revolvers for SASS.
.357 Mag. Caliber is just fine for competition as long as you use .38's in lead at Cowboy velocities. There are several rifles made in .357, including Marlin, Winchester and Rossi (I believe marketed through Navy Arms) Several Ammunition makers offer .357 "Magnum" Cowboy loads which are loaded to low "Cowboy" velocities but use the longer magnum cases to facilitate reliable functioning in lever guns. These would also be appropriate, and your ammunition would be interchangeable.

Ned Roundtree · May 31, 2000, 08:10 AM

I have a Ruger Vaquero Bisley in .357. shooting 125 grain 38 specials from it. Also use a Navy Arms 1873 Winchester Border Rifle in .357. I shoot 158 grain 38 specials from it. We took a survey at our club. By far 45LC most popular caliber. Second most popular here is .38 special. Followed by .44 and then 44-40. My sis-n-law shoots 125 grain,.38 specials from her Cimarron Lightnings and 158 grain,.38 specials from her Marlin Cowboy in .357. My wife shoots .38 specials from her Third Generation 7 1/2" Colts in .357. Wife also shoots .38 specials from her 38 sp/.357 Rossi. It's just easier on me if everyone shoots same caliber. Plus .38 specials a lot cheaper than 45LC. Good move!

Malpaso · June 1, 2000, 02:02 PM

Just bought my daughter a .357 SS Vaquero as a reward for finishing her first two day shoot. My load for it is a 158gr RNFP over 4.0gr Universal in .357 brass.

You'll probably find that .357 brass feeds better than .38 brass in the various lever action rifles. My personal choice is the Marlin.

Ned Roundtree · June 2, 2000, 09:28 AM

Never had problems with 38 specials feeding from lever rifles. Just the opposite. Have had folks complain that the .357 brass is tempermental. Shoot 38 special from Marlin Cowboy, Rossi, and Uberti. Never any feed problems. Great guns!

May 30, 2000, 11:08 PM	#1
sgtar15 Member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Sac,Ca,USA Posts: 68	I was thinking of purchasing a Rugar Vaquero pistol. If I get it in 357 magnum will I be able to use it in SASS compition later?? How about 357/38 cal. in rifles?? Thanks sgtar15

May 31, 2000, 12:48 AM	#2
San Francisquito Bill Member Join Date: May 27, 2000 Location: Newhall, CA, USA Posts: 78	sgtar15, The Vaquero is one of, if not the most popular revolvers for SASS. .357 Mag. Caliber is just fine for competition as long as you use .38's in lead at Cowboy velocities. There are several rifles made in .357, including Marlin, Winchester and Rossi (I believe marketed through Navy Arms) Several Ammunition makers offer .357 "Magnum" Cowboy loads which are loaded to low "Cowboy" velocities but use the longer magnum cases to facilitate reliable functioning in lever guns. These would also be appropriate, and your ammunition would be interchangeable.

May 31, 2000, 08:10 AM	#3
Ned Roundtree Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 1999 Location: Lexington, KY,USA Posts: 738	I have a Ruger Vaquero Bisley in .357. shooting 125 grain 38 specials from it. Also use a Navy Arms 1873 Winchester Border Rifle in .357. I shoot 158 grain 38 specials from it. We took a survey at our club. By far 45LC most popular caliber. Second most popular here is .38 special. Followed by .44 and then 44-40. My sis-n-law shoots 125 grain,.38 specials from her Cimarron Lightnings and 158 grain,.38 specials from her Marlin Cowboy in .357. My wife shoots .38 specials from her Third Generation 7 1/2" Colts in .357. Wife also shoots .38 specials from her 38 sp/.357 Rossi. It's just easier on me if everyone shoots same caliber. Plus .38 specials a lot cheaper than 45LC. Good move!

June 1, 2000, 02:02 PM	#4
Malpaso Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: MA Posts: 177	Just bought my daughter a .357 SS Vaquero as a reward for finishing her first two day shoot. My load for it is a 158gr RNFP over 4.0gr Universal in .357 brass. You'll probably find that .357 brass feeds better than .38 brass in the various lever action rifles. My personal choice is the Marlin.

June 2, 2000, 09:28 AM	#5
Ned Roundtree Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 1999 Location: Lexington, KY,USA Posts: 738	Never had problems with 38 specials feeding from lever rifles. Just the opposite. Have had folks complain that the .357 brass is tempermental. Shoot 38 special from Marlin Cowboy, Rossi, and Uberti. Never any feed problems. Great guns!