Shooting Categories

The Wisconsin Old West Shootists like to offer something for everyone and therefore has several non-SASS/non-NCOWS sanctioned categories in addition to the traditional SASS and NCOWSS categories.  These additional categories are detailed below.  If you have any questions regarding any of these categories, please contact a range board member.

For information about SASS categories please refer to Section 2 of the SASS Shooters Handbook, which can be found at http://www.sassnet.com or by following this link: http://www.sassnet.com/Downloads/Shooters%20Handbook%20%20Vers%2022_3.pdf

  • Lite Cowboy Category  **New
    • Ammunition:  .22 caliber rimfire (no magnums)
    • Revolvers: 2 – .22 cal. rimfire revolvers (no magnums).  Revolvers can be shot any style (traditional- two handed, duelist, or gunfighter)
    • Rifle:  Lever or pump action rifle with exposed hammer, .22 caliber rimfire (no magnums)
    • Shotgun:  Any SASS legal shotgun
    • Dress and accoutrements: Any SASS legal costuming
  • Big Bore Category
    • Ammunition: All revolver and rifle ammunition must be of pistol caliber .40 rimmed or larger (examples: .38-40, .44-40, .44 Russian, .44 Colt, .44 Spl, .44 Mag, .45 Scholfield, .45 Colt).  Shotgun ammunition must be 12 gauge or 10 gauge.
    • Revolvers: Any SASS legal fixed-sighted revolver.  May be shot Traditional style or Duelist.
    • Rifle:  Any SASS legal main match rifle.
    • Shotgun:  Any SASS legal shotgun
    • Dress and accoutrements:  Same as for Traditional category.
  • Pale Rider Category (Black Powder version of Big Bore)
    • Ammunition:  All revolver and rifle ammunition must be of pistol caliber .40 rimmed or larger (e.g. .38-40, .44-40, .44 Russian, .44 Colt, .44 Spl, .44 Mag, .45 Scofield, .45 Colt). Shotgun ammunition must be 12 gauge or 10 gauge.
    • Powder and charges:  All ammunition must be loaded with black powder or approved black powder substitute.  Minimum powder charge, rifle and pistol – 25 grains (or equivalent in BP substitute).  Minimum bullet weight – 180 grains for .38-40, 200 grains for .4 and .45.  Minimum powder charge for shotgun – 60 grains (or equivalent in BP substitute).  Minimum shot charge – 1 1/8 ounces.
    • Revolvers:  Any SASS legal fixed-sighted revolver.  May be shot Traditional style or Duelist.
    • Rifle: Any SASS legal main match rifle.
    • Shotgun: Any SASS legal shotgun, but double-barrel preferred.
    • Dress and accoutrements:  Same as for Traditional category.
  • Grubline Rider Category
    • Ammunition:  Any SASS legal ammunition
    • Revolver:  This category requires only one SASS legal main match revolver.  May be shot Duelist or Traditional style.
    • Rifle: Any SASS legal rifle.
    • Shotgun: None.
    • Dress and accoutrements:  Same as for Traditional category.
    • Note:  Since no shotgun is used, shooters in this class would not be eligible for overall awards, such as Top Gun.
  • Military Category
    • Ammunition:  Any SASS legal pistol caliber ammunition of .38 (.357) caliber or larger.
    • Revolvers:  Any SASS legal fixed sighted revolver of .38 (.357) caliber or larger.  Must be shot Duelist style.
    • Rifle:  Any SASS legal main match rifle of .38 (.357) caliber or larger.
    • Shotgun: Any SASS legal shotgun.
    • Uniform and Accoutrement Requirements:
      • Holster belts:  Canvas “Prairie” belts, leather cartridge belts, or military style holster belts with cartridge pouches.  Cartridge or “Prairie” belts may have both cartridge and shotgun shell loops.  No shotgun slides.  No separate shotgun shell belts.
      • Holsters:  Military flap holsters (full or half flap) are required.  butt of revolver must be at or above the belt.  No drop-loop, buscadero, or fast draw holsters.  Holster must fully cove at least half the revolver trigger guard.
      • Hats/Caps:  Kepis, Foragers’ caps, or campaign hats in black or tan, with or without service branch cords or insignia.
      • Jackets/Shirts:  Dark blue shield-front shirt, dark blue shell-jacket (19th century version of the “Ike” jacket), dark blue military sack coat (4-button), dark blue uniform blouse (5-button), or dark blue military frock coat.  With the exception of the shield-front shirt, jackets and coats must have brass military-style buttons.  Kepis, hats, shell jackets or sack coats in gray or butternut are allowed.
      • Trousers: Sky-blue Kersey (with or without service branch out-seam stripe), or black or tan (wool, canvas, or cotton ducking) civilian-style trousers.
      • Footwear; Cavalry boots (or anything in black that looks like Cavalry boots), half-boots, Wellingtons, or brogan.  If in doubt, wear the trousers over them!  No “cowboy” boots.
  • Josey Wales Category
    • Ammunition:  Any SASS legal ammunition
    • Revolvers: Any SASS legal revolvers.  Four (4) required; two staged on table or other prop as described in the scenario, two holstered.  Second pair of revolvers will be fired at the rifle targets.  Revolvers must be shot Gunfighter or Duelist.  If fewer then 10 rifle rounds are specified, second set of pistols will be loaded accordingly.
    • Rifle:  None
    • Shotgun:  Side-by-side shotgun, hammered or hammerless
    • Note:  Since no rifle is used, shooters in this category will not be eligible for any Top Gun awards.
  • Double Deuce Category
    • Ammunition:  Standard .22 long rifle (no hi-speeds), lead bullet only.
    • Revolver: One SASS legal .22 caliber single action revolver.  Ruger Single-Six, Ruger Bearcat, Uberti full-sized, etc.  If the revolver will hold more than six rounds, only five will be loaded.  No reloads required.  May be shot Duelist or Traditional style.
    • Rifle:  .22 caliber lever-action rifle, or pump action, with exposed hammer.  Marlin Model 39, Winchester pump or Taurus pump action, etc.
    • Shotgun:  Any SASS legal shotgun, such as side-by-side, model ’87 lever, model ’97 pump, single shot with exposed hammer.
    • Dress and accoutrements:  Must meet SASS requirements for costuming.  Newcomers have a year to comply with costuming requirements, but no ballcaps nor running shoes.
    • Note:  There are no age limitations or requirements.  There will be a single category.  Shooters in this category are not eligible for Top Gun awards.
  • Town Marshal Category
    • Ammunition:  Any SASS or NCOWS legal ammunition
    • Revolvers: Any SASS or NCOWS legal revolvers.  May be shot in any SASS or NCOWS legal style.
    • Shotgun:  Any SASS or NCOWS legal shotgun.  Shotgun targets will be engaged TWICE (if shotgun target goes down at first shot, shoot where target was).
    • Rifle: None.
    • Gun Carts are NOT allowed:  Use saddle bags, carpet bags, etc. for ammunition
    • Dress and Accoutrements:  Dress shirt, vest, dressy tie or dressy neckerchief, frock or gunfighter or “townie” coat and hat must be worn during entire match.  Shooter must also choose at least two from the following list: pocket watch, badge (SASS badge OK), sleeve garters, spurs.
  • Range Detective Category
    • Ammunition:  Any SASS legal or NCOWS legal ammunition.
    • Revolvers:  Any SASS legal or NCOWS legal revolvers.  Two (2) required.  Must be shot duelist.
    • Rifle:  Any SASS legal or NCOWS legal main match rifle.
    • Shotgun:  None.  Shotgun targets will ne be engaged.
    • Gun Carts are NOT allowed: Use saddlebags, carpet bags, etc. for carrying ammunition.
    • Dress and Accoutrements:  Must meet SASS Traditional or NCOWS general requirements.  Vest and neckerchief strongly recommended, but not required.  B-Western dress is not allowed.
    • Note:  Since no shotgun is used, shooters in this category are not eligible for any Top Gun awards.
  • Homesteader Category
    • Ammunition:  Any SASS legal or NCOWS legal ammunition.
    • Revolvers:  None.
    • Rifle:  Any SASS legal or NCOWS legal main match rifle.
    • Shotgun:  Any SASS or NCOWS legal shotgun.
    • Gunbelts and Cartridge belts are NOT allowed:  Use leather, cloth, or canvas shoulder bags, carpet bags, or pocket, etc. for carrying ammunition.
    • Dress and Accoutrements:  Must meet SASS Traditional or NCOWS general requirements.  Bib overalls for men and prairie dresses for women would be quite appropriate.
    • Procedure: Shooters shoots the stage with the required number of rifle rounds, then reloads 5 rounds on the clock.  Shooter then starts rifle sequence over from the beginning with the five reloaded rounds.  Rifle is then staged open and empty where stage requires.  Shooter proceeds to shotgun as stage requires.  Shooter stages rifle rounds in pocket or shoulder bag.  Shotgun shells may be stage on table or in bag/pocket as stage requires.
    • Note:  Since no pistols are used, shooters in this category are not eligible for any Top Gun awards.