Golden Heart Shootist Society

What is Cowboy Action Shooting?

What is the Format of CAS Matches?

What Do I Wear?

What Do I Shoot?

Where Can I Shoot?

Must I Shoot?

SASS Shooter's Handbook

What is Cowboy Action Shooting?

Cowboy Action Shooting is just that: a multi-firearms competition that focuses on the clothing and firearms in use during a specific time period in American history, 1850-1900 and/or "B" western movies; the shooting stages involve movement; and participants are judged on their ability to engage targets safely with speed and accuracy. The fastest growing shooting sport in the country, The Single Action Shooting Society, Cowboy Action Shooting's international sanctioning body, presently has over 50,000 members and is growing by 4,000 members a year. Locally, the Golden Heart Shootist Society has over 90 members on the rolls and is also growing steadily.

What is the Format of CAS Matches?

Cowboy matches can be one-day or multi-day affairs. Each occasion involves shooting various stages in which shootists may use single-action revolvers, rifle and shotgun or any combination of all three. At each stage, competitors are timed while shooting at a variety of targets in a particular order. Scoring is a function of speed, accuracy, compliance with procedure, and conformity with specific safety rules.
Shooters are eligible to compete in a variety of categories based on gender, age, fixed or adjustable sights, smokeless or black powder, metallic cartridge or percussion, and shooting style: one handed, two handed, or "smoke wagons" in both hands.
In addition to the main match stages, Cowboy matches can also have a variety of side matches which may call for the use of single-shot buffalo rifles, tomahawks, lariats, bull whips, derringers, pocket pistols and .22 caliber rifles and pistols.

What Do I Wear?

To add enjoyment to this shooting game, cowboy action shooters should adopt an old-west persona complete with alias. As a consequence, each person's wardrobe will develop in support of the role they are portraying whether it be a gunfighter, lawman, vaquero, cattle woman, doctor, cavalry trooper, saloon girl or judge. "B" western attire is also appropriate.

Because gathering up a wardrobe can be a challenge and expensive, new comers to the sport are welcome to participate as long as they are making an effort to dress appropriately. A cowboy hat, a western shirt, denim trousers, and boots will do to get you started. Eye and ear protection are required for safety reasons. Tennis shoes, shorts, baseball caps and "Tee" shirts are not allowed.

What Do I Shoot?

Period firearms or their reproductions are required and consist of percussion or metallic cartridge single action revolvers; a lever action rifle of a pistol caliber; and a double, lever or pump, external hammer, shotgun. Pistol ammunition is limited to flat point, lead bullets at no more than 1,000 fps, while rifle ammunition is capped at 1,400 fps. Scattergun bores can be no larger than 10 gauge or smaller than 20. Shotgun fodder must be #4 lead or smaller. Magnum and high-velocity loads are not allowed. All shotguns must have a barrel over 18" in length.

Where Can I Shoot?

The Golden Heart Shootists' home range is located on the grounds of the Chatanika Gold Camp north of Fairbanks. The range is comprised of five bermed shooting bays complete with old west store fronts. There is plenty of space on the grounds for modern or primitive camping and comfortable cabins are available.

Monthly matches are held on the second Saturday and last Sunday of each month, May through September, weather permitting. Normally, registration starts at noon and shooting starts at 1:00 p.m. A modest $10 shooting fee is assessed. The GHSS range is also the site of a yearly three-day Cowboy Camp held over the Memorial Day weekend; a Summer Solstice Shoot on a date/s near June 21; and the Alaska State SASS Championship match held annually on the first weekend of August.

Must I Shoot?

No. While the society is fundamentally a shooting club, there are a number of members who are non-shooters and who have joined simply because they want to learn more about this period in our history and enjoy participating in the society's non-shooting activities.

Traditionally the society has taught firearms safety in our community with the Eddie Eagle program; has raised money for the Salvation Army during the Christmas holidays; entered a prize-winning float in the Golden Days parade; made contributions to many local charities; participated in the Safari Club's annual Kids' Safety Day and the Fish and Game Department's Kids' Fun day; and provided atmosphere for tourists visiting Pioneer Park.
Non-Shooting members have been invaluable support to the society's shooting activities in the areas of registration, site construction, hospitality and serving as stage officials.
Given the welcoming atmosphere and pace of the society's matches, many non-shooters have become active competitors.

	Golden Heart Shootist Society Fairbanks, Alaska
GHSS Range \| Cowboy Action Shooting \| Calendar \| Events \| Membership \| Community Focus \| Affiliations & Resources \| Auroral Territorial

Cowboy Action Shooting FAQs What is Cowboy Action Shooting? What is the Format of CAS Matches? What Do I Wear? What Do I Shoot? Where Can I Shoot? Must I Shoot? SASS Shooter's Handbook What is Cowboy Action Shooting? Cowboy Action Shooting is just that: a multi-firearms competition that focuses on the clothing and firearms in use during a specific time period in American history, 1850-1900 and/or "B" western movies; the shooting stages involve movement; and participants are judged on their ability to engage targets safely with speed and accuracy. The fastest growing shooting sport in the country, The Single Action Shooting Society, Cowboy Action Shooting's international sanctioning body, presently has over 50,000 members and is growing by 4,000 members a year. Locally, the Golden Heart Shootist Society has over 90 members on the rolls and is also growing steadily. What is the Format of CAS Matches? Cowboy matches can be one-day or multi-day affairs. Each occasion involves shooting various stages in which shootists may use single-action revolvers, rifle and shotgun or any combination of all three. At each stage, competitors are timed while shooting at a variety of targets in a particular order. Scoring is a function of speed, accuracy, compliance with procedure, and conformity with specific safety rules. Shooters are eligible to compete in a variety of categories based on gender, age, fixed or adjustable sights, smokeless or black powder, metallic cartridge or percussion, and shooting style: one handed, two handed, or "smoke wagons" in both hands. In addition to the main match stages, Cowboy matches can also have a variety of side matches which may call for the use of single-shot buffalo rifles, tomahawks, lariats, bull whips, derringers, pocket pistols and .22 caliber rifles and pistols. What Do I Wear? To add enjoyment to this shooting game, cowboy action shooters should adopt an old-west persona complete with alias. As a consequence, each person's wardrobe will develop in support of the role they are portraying whether it be a gunfighter, lawman, vaquero, cattle woman, doctor, cavalry trooper, saloon girl or judge. "B" western attire is also appropriate. Because gathering up a wardrobe can be a challenge and expensive, new comers to the sport are welcome to participate as long as they are making an effort to dress appropriately. A cowboy hat, a western shirt, denim trousers, and boots will do to get you started. Eye and ear protection are required for safety reasons. Tennis shoes, shorts, baseball caps and "Tee" shirts are not allowed. What Do I Shoot? Period firearms or their reproductions are required and consist of percussion or metallic cartridge single action revolvers; a lever action rifle of a pistol caliber; and a double, lever or pump, external hammer, shotgun. Pistol ammunition is limited to flat point, lead bullets at no more than 1,000 fps, while rifle ammunition is capped at 1,400 fps. Scattergun bores can be no larger than 10 gauge or smaller than 20. Shotgun fodder must be #4 lead or smaller. Magnum and high-velocity loads are not allowed. All shotguns must have a barrel over 18" in length. Where Can I Shoot? The Golden Heart Shootists' home range is located on the grounds of the Chatanika Gold Camp north of Fairbanks. The range is comprised of five bermed shooting bays complete with old west store fronts. There is plenty of space on the grounds for modern or primitive camping and comfortable cabins are available. Monthly matches are held on the second Saturday and last Sunday of each month, May through September, weather permitting. Normally, registration starts at noon and shooting starts at 1:00 p.m. A modest $10 shooting fee is assessed. The GHSS range is also the site of a yearly three-day Cowboy Camp held over the Memorial Day weekend; a Summer Solstice Shoot on a date/s near June 21; and the Alaska State SASS Championship match held annually on the first weekend of August. Must I Shoot? No. While the society is fundamentally a shooting club, there are a number of members who are non-shooters and who have joined simply because they want to learn more about this period in our history and enjoy participating in the society's non-shooting activities. Traditionally the society has taught firearms safety in our community with the Eddie Eagle program; has raised money for the Salvation Army during the Christmas holidays; entered a prize-winning float in the Golden Days parade; made contributions to many local charities; participated in the Safari Club's annual Kids' Safety Day and the Fish and Game Department's Kids' Fun day; and provided atmosphere for tourists visiting Pioneer Park. Non-Shooting members have been invaluable support to the society's shooting activities in the areas of registration, site construction, hospitality and serving as stage officials. Given the welcoming atmosphere and pace of the society's matches, many non-shooters have become active competitors.

GHSS Range \| Cowboy Action Shooting \| Calendar \| Events \| Membership \| Community Focus \| Affiliations & Resources \| Auroral Territorial