The last time I was at a CAS shoot it seemed like everyone was shooting .38 Spec out of a .357 mag gun with 110g bullets at around 600fps. Some of them almost looked like a pellet when they would bounce off the targets.

About the time I left CAS was when the loads were that light and seemed to me to defeat the original purpose of the sport in trying to duplicate some of the Old West. It would be interesting to see the competition broken down by caliber and for example have a .45 class where you need to shoot 240+g bullet at at least 900fps. And then adjust for the other calibers in a like fashion.

Are those light .38 Spec loads still the common one used ?

classic cowboy has the caliber stipulation but really needs a power factor to go with it. and yes light 38 loads are common. so are medium loads and decent big bore loads. everyone can play for their own reasons.

Wild Bunch specifies large calibers and has a minimum power factor.

Many of the top competitors in my Cowboy group shoot 38 Special loads while others shoot 38 Short Colt, 44 Magnum, 44/40, 44 Special, 32 S&W, 32/20, and 45 Colt. The black powder folks generally shoot 44/40 or 45 Colt. I usually shoot 45 Colt, 44/40, or 44 Magnum in both rifle and revolver even though I am set up for 357. I frequently shoot a Marlin 32/20 rifle made back in the 1800's and would have a hard time making much of a power factor with it.

We shoot for fun and bragging rights (nobody wins a new car) and welcome folks shooting a variety of chamberings in a variety of categories. Someone generally brings a 22 rig in case any youngsters want to give it a try.

44/40 case filled with bp and topped with a serious hunk of lead.
It's the most popular with bystanders and gets people off the fence and keen to have a go.

I shoot both 45LC and 38. Almost all the "Gamers" shoot 38 and some use 32. They seem to like 105gr in the revolver and 125gr in the rifle. At our club we chronograph for power factor compliance. If you shoot a lot of ammo reloading 38 will save you a lot of money and components are readily available.

Very common are '73 clones in .357 using .38 Spec brass and 125 gr. bullets. .38 Spec pistols or .38 ammo in .357 pistols are seen a lot.

After the .38 Spec., you see a variety of rounds.

Here's my set of .38 Spec Gen. 3 Colts.

DF

.357 '73's in which I shoot 147 gr. Moulton Lead Truncated Cone bullets to maintain the .357 COAL in .38 Spec. cases. Correct COAL makes the '73 run a lot smoother.

DF