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Steel Challenge .22 Cal Only
October 3 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Steel Challenge shooting is a speed shooting competition where participants use .22 handguns and rifles to shoot arrays of steel targets as quickly as possible. The sport is governed by the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), an organization of the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), and emphasizes speed, accuracy, and consistency.
Core Rules and Format
- Objective: The primary goal is the lowest overall time. Competitors are scored solely by the time it takes to complete each stage.
- Stages: There are eight standardized stages, each featuring five steel targets (circular and rectangular) set at various distances. A match typically consists of multiple stages.
- The Stop Plate: On each stage, one designated target, often marked by a red post, is the “stop plate” and must be shot last to stop the electronic timer.
- Scoring: Competitors shoot each stage five times (called “strings” or “runs”), with their slowest time dropped. The times of the remaining four runs are totaled for the stage score. At the end of the match, all stage scores are added together to determine the winner.
- Penalties: Only one hit per target is required. If a shooter hits the stop plate before hitting all other primary targets, a 3-second penalty is added for each missed target. The maximum time for any string is 30 seconds.
Key Features
- Accessibility: Steel Challenge is a simple and fun sport for shooters of all skill levels, from beginners to Grand Masters. The standardized stages allow for consistent practice and comparison of skills.
- Minimal Movement: Unlike other practical shooting sports, most Steel Challenge stages involve shooting from a single, stationary position within a designated shooting box. Only one official stage, “Outer Limits,” requires movement between shooting boxes during the run.