About Wild Bunch Action Shooting

In Wild Bunch™ Action Shooting, contestants compete with firearms typical of those used in the taming of the Old West just after the turn of the 20th century: 1911 semi-automatic pistols, lever action rifles, and shotguns. The shooting competition is staged in a unique, characterized, Old West style.

Vintage firearms, costuming, and fast action make Wild Bunch one of the most interesting of all shooting sports. Sanctioned matches are built around more pistol and shotgun rounds per stage, plus reactive targets such as plate racks, dueling trees, moving targets, and rifle/pistol knockdowns.

Wild Bunch is a fun, fast-paced action shooting sport designed for the shooter. At Willow Hole we shoot it every 5th Saturday — whenever the calendar has one.

What You Need

1911 Pistol

SASS calls for .45 ACP. At WHC, any 1911 chambering is welcome.

Pistol Caliber Rifle

Any main-match cowboy rifle — lever or pump in a pistol cartridge

Pump Shotgun

Any pump, any gauge. Winchester 1897 and Model 12 preferred.

If you’re not a cowboy shooter, “main match cowboy rifle” means any lever or pump rifle chambered in a pistol cartridge — .38 Special, .357 Mag, .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .45 Colt, and similar.

Expect 28 to 42 rounds of pistol ammo (4 to 6 magazines), 10 rounds of rifle, and 4 to 6 rounds of shotgun per stage. A match is 5 or 6 stages.

How WHC Relaxes the SASS Rules

Official Wild Bunch uses 1911s in .45 ACP, plus lever rifles and shotguns under the Wild Bunch Shooter’s Handbook. At Willow Hole we relax a few of those guidelines so more folks can come shoot:

Any 1911 chambering — not only .45 ACP
Any gauge shotshell in a pump-action shotgun; any pump is allowed (Model 1897 and Model 12 preferred)
Any main-match cowboy rifle (lever or pump, pistol cartridge)

Quick Facts

When: 5th Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM (safety meeting 8:50)
Where: WHC Range
Affiliation: SASS Wild Bunch
New Shooters: Welcome!
Fees: $15 members / $20 non-members

Also shoot Cowboy Action?

Wild Bunch is the sister sport to CAS. Same range, first Saturday of the month.

Cowboy Action

Governing Body

Single Action Shooting Society (SASS): About Wild Bunch
Official Wild Bunch match rules: Shooter’s Handbook

Individual clubs may vary their own rules and shooting categories for everyone’s enjoyment. These are the rules for official sanctioned matches.

Match Schedule

Wild Bunch is held on the 5th Saturday of months that have one (typically four times a year).

Friday (day before the match) — Noon: RV dry camping opens

Saturday (day of match)

8:00 am: Range opens for target set up and shooter check-in
8:45 am: Shooter check-in and walk-up registration closes. No exceptions.
8:50 am: Mandatory safety meeting
9:00 am: Match starts

Match Fees: $15 for members, $20 for non-members

Registration: On-site day of match.

Advance information: Email sent the weekend prior to the match. CLICK HERE to send a message requesting to be added to the email list.

Willow Hole Wild Bunch Action Shooting