What is "cowboy ammo"

beantole

June 02, 2003 13:11

Maybe woodsrunner can answer this or someone else here. I have a .357 magnum AWA Longhorn single action six shooter. In the instruction manual that woodsrunner so kindly sent me it says to use only commercially
manufactured "cowboy" ammunition. I know that there is some ammo that is advertised as cowboy ammo but I have all commercially manufactured
.357 magnum ammo from Federal, Corbon, Hi-Vel etc. Is this ammo OK to use? I have already used it with no problem. Anyone know? Thanks.

Bruce

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  SilverBox

  June 02, 2003 13:32

  You put non cowboy ammo in your cowboy gun!!! Your a evil evil man.. Better watch out or the cowgirls might put a hex on ye!!
  
  [;)]
  
  The pressures and the muzzle velocity and energy are a bit lower on all the cowboy loads I've looked at the ballistics for, and typically they are a lil bit cheaper as well. I don't really know for sure if thats a "cowboy" feature or they just load them a lil light and cheap so that cowboy action shooters can get ammo for a reasonable price for cowboy action shooting..

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  gskyhawk

  June 02, 2003 15:27

  most cowboy loads only run about 800 fps give or take , in other words are pretty mild , if your owners manual says to use only cowboy loads then that is what i would do , if you do decide to use full house 357 mag loads don't be surprised to see your guns shoot loose [V]

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  Throckmorton

  June 02, 2003 18:06

  I would stop using non-cowboy ammo right away until you contact AWA and the ok it......which I don't believe they will.All of the improted "cowboy" guns,or colt "clones",are very thin-walled in the chamber area compared to ,say,a Ruger Vaquero.
  I know that my .45 clones won't take high pressure rounds,and I seriously doubt that your AWA's will take em for long in .357 mag.
  Most cowboy loads are lead bullets under 1000 fps......dont' HAVE to be lead unless your shooting a cowboy match actually.
  Again,I strongly urge you to not use the factory stuff without contacting awa.
  
  give CAS a try,it is a hoot!!

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  woodsrunner

  June 02, 2003 20:19

  Now this is my oppinion, not what AWA might say. The .357 cylinder is the same outside diameter as the .45 cylinder. But, with the smaller holes there is alot more meat there. As far as I know these are uberti parts assembled here in the states. Uberti uses modern steels. I would have no problem shooting factory full horsepower 357's in your gun. The real Colt's were chambered for the .357 almost from the cartridges conception. And the .45 Colt round was the most powerful handgun cartridge up until the .357 came along. As for accuracy, if your .357 is anything like my AWA 32/20, it's got some pretty deep rifling. It will probably be more accurate with lead bullets at 1000fps or less.
  
  I think AWA is pretty much watching out for the lawyers and the lawsuit aspect of things. That is why the "commercially manufactured" clause.
  
  If it were me. I'd shoot it alot with lead bullet 38 or 357 loads, but not be affraid to use full power jacketed loads when the situation called for it, i.e. self defense or hunting.
  
  Woods
  
  

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  beantole

  June 02, 2003 20:43

  woodsrunner: I agree with your assessment. I have been using regular 38 special because .357 magnum is too expensive for plunking. I did use commercial .357 magnum a few dozen rounds with no problem. It says..."357 magnum" on the barrel. Legally speaking this means to me that it is OK to use .357 magnum at least occassionally. Otherwise they'd be setting themselves up for a products liability lawsuit if it didn't shoot regular .357 magnum safely.
  
  I read all the comments here and appreciate everyone's input. Thanks to all.
  
  Bruce

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  Sunray

  June 03, 2003 09:03

  Hahaha!!! You guys are daft. Quit pulling the guy's leg. 'Cowboy' loads are just target loads marketed to the CAS shooters. If it says .357 mag on the barrel it's ok. However, using any .357 load in cowboy shoots isn't fun. Use .357 cases, but load to .38 Spec target velocities. 2.7 of Bullseye would do nicely, under a 148 grain swaged wadcutter. PPC shooters do the same thing only they're even slower.

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