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FlyFish · September 3, 2010, 08:31 AM

SASS has so many different divisions and categories that it's difficult to wrap it all up in a response of reasonable length, but pretty much the only requirement on caliber is that it be centerfire between .32 and .45 and "commonly available" (whatever that means). The revolver has to be of a "style" that was around prior to 1899 - so, for example, Ruger Vaqueros are both acceptable and very common even though there was nothing exactly like a Vaquero at that time. Smokeless powder loads have to meet a very low minimum power factor (60) and velocity (400 fps) and cannot exceed 1000 fps.

I don't know of anyone shooting full .357 Magnum, which could exceed the 1000 fps and would recoil enough to be non-competitive, but there are plenty of competitors shooting revolvers chambered for .357 Mag, either with .357 brass downloaded to weak .38 Special equivalent, or with .38 Special brass loaded the same.

There are some CAS categories - e.g., "Classic Cowboy" - that have more restrictive rules regarding allowable cartridges (as well as allowable clothing, but that's a whole 'nother thing.)

ETA: I enjoy watching the black powder competitors at our CAS matches, but it's usually a significant disadvantage (depending on wind direction and velocity) because the smoke can obscure the targets.

September 3, 2010, 08:31 AM	#2
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	SASS has so many different divisions and categories that it's difficult to wrap it all up in a response of reasonable length, but pretty much the only requirement on caliber is that it be centerfire between .32 and .45 and "commonly available" (whatever that means). The revolver has to be of a "style" that was around prior to 1899 - so, for example, Ruger Vaqueros are both acceptable and very common even though there was nothing exactly like a Vaquero at that time. Smokeless powder loads have to meet a very low minimum power factor (60) and velocity (400 fps) and cannot exceed 1000 fps. I don't know of anyone shooting full .357 Magnum, which could exceed the 1000 fps and would recoil enough to be non-competitive, but there are plenty of competitors shooting revolvers chambered for .357 Mag, either with .357 brass downloaded to weak .38 Special equivalent, or with .38 Special brass loaded the same. There are some CAS categories - e.g., "Classic Cowboy" - that have more restrictive rules regarding allowable cartridges (as well as allowable clothing, but that's a whole 'nother thing.) ETA: I enjoy watching the black powder competitors at our CAS matches, but it's usually a significant disadvantage (depending on wind direction and velocity) because the smoke can obscure the targets.