Glossary of Shooting Sports Terms

180 Rule: Refers to the 180-degree plane that follows competitors as they move on a stage. For more details on the 180 rule and Safe Angles, Click Here.

A Zone: This is the highest-scoring area used on USPSA cardboard targets. For more details on Scoring Zones and Power Factor, Click Here.

Appearing Target: A target that is not visible until activated or revealed.

Array: A grouping of more than one target.

Barrier: A wall or other range prop that helps define a course of fire, typically serving as "vision barriers" either by construction or rule. For more details on Course Types, Click Here.

Berm: A dirt mound that serves as a safety backstop.

C Zone: This is the second-highest scoring area used on USPSA cardboard targets. For more details on Scoring Zones and Power Factor, Click Here.

Caliber: Refers to the diameter of a firearm’s bullet, measured in millimeters or thousandths of an inch.

Carry Optics: a competitive division that permits the use of pistols with slide-mounted optical or red dot sights.

Cartridge: Assembled ammunition that includes a bullet, case, powder charge, and primer. It is also referred to as a round.

Centerfire: Firearms designed to shoot cartridges where the primer is located in the center of the cartridge’s case head.

Chronograph: Instruments used to measure the velocity of ammunition fired from a gun.

Classifications: Defines a competitor’s performance and skill level.

Classifier: A standard course of fire used by USPSA to assess a shooter's skill level and classify them into categories for competition.

Cold Range: Refers to where all firearms must be kept unloaded until a competitor is operating under the direction of the range officer.

Comstock Scoring: allows competitors to fire as many rounds as they wish on each target, with the final score being determined by the total points hit divided by the time it took to shoot. For more details on course types, Click Here.

Course of Fire (COF): A design that defines the shooting challenge in terms of scoring method, targets, rounds, starts, and procedures. It is also referred to as a stage.

D Zone: This is the lowest scoring area used on USPSA cardboard targets. For more details on Scoring Zones and Power Factor, Click Here.

Decibels (dB): A unit of measurement used to determine the intensity of sound or sound pressure levels. 

Disappearing Target: A target that, once activated and after completing its movement, is no longer available for engagement.

Divisions: Define the equipment and firearm used in a competition. For more details on Division Groups, Click Here.

Dominant Eye: The eye your brain trusts to process sight information.

Dominant Hand: The strongest hand that supports your preferred trigger finger. 

Dot Sights: Optical sight that uses a laser to project a sighting point onto a glass window or reticle. These sighting systems allow for fast target acquisition. For additional information on Dot Sights and Red Dot Sights, Click Here.

Double-Action (DA): A trigger type that performs two actions for each trigger pull. For more details on trigger types, Click Here.

Double Tap: The practice of firing two shots quickly at the same target, emphasizing speed and control.

Downrange: The 180 degrees of safe shooting direction toward the targets.

Dry-Fire and Dry Firing: The practice of manipulating a firearm without any live ammunition. This is used in training to improve gun handling skills. For additional information on Dry-Fire, Click Here.

Ear Protection: Essential equipment in shooting sports to safeguard hearing from the loud sounds produced during shooting.

Engaging: Actively aiming at and firing at least one shot at a visible target.

Eye Protection: devices designed to shield the eyes from debris, shrapnel, and potential projectiles that can occur during shooting.

Fault Line: A physical ground reference line in a course of fire defining the limits of the shooting area.

Freestyle: Competitors are allowed to solve the challenge presented within the rules and engage targets as they become available for engagement.

Fixed Time Scoring: the total time to complete a stage is predetermined. Competitors must finish the stage within this set time frame, and scoring is based on the accuracy and number of targets hit within that fixed period. Penalties are awarded for extra shots, extra time, and extra hits. (It’s similar to Virginia Count but with a time limit.) For more details on course types, Click Here.

Grain: Used to measure the weight of bullets and the size of a powder charge in a cartridge.

Hang Fire: When a round has a delayed discharge.

Hard-Cover Targets: Targets that do not incur penalties or points when you shoot them.

Hit Factor: A scoring method calculating the score per second based on the points earned from hits on targets divided by the time it takes to complete the stage. For additional information on Hit Factors, Click Here.

IDPA: The International Defense Pistol Association. They focus on sport-based defensive pistol techniques and simulated self-defense scenarios. For additional information on IDPA, Click Here.

IPSC: The International Practical Shooting Confederation. They offer world-class competitive pistol shooting competitions that take place every third year and are hosted by participating countries. For additional information on IPSC, Click Here.

ISSF: The International Shooting Sports Federation. They focus on Olympic-style shooting using air rifles and pistols, and shotguns for trap and skeet. For additional information on ISSF, Click Here.

Live-Fire: Refers to shooting a firearm with live ammunition.

Major Power Factor: indicates higher energy ammunition. A round is Major if its power factor is 165 or more, calculated by multiplying bullet weight (in grains) by velocity (in fps) and dividing by 1000. For additional details on Power Factor and how it works, Click Here.

Match: A series of stages in a competitive shooting event under USPSA rules, where shooters accumulate scores to determine rankings.

Minor Power Factor: indicates lower energy ammunition. A round is Minor if its power factor is LESS than 165, calculated by multiplying bullet weight (in grains) by velocity (in fps) and dividing by 1000. For additional details on Power Factor and how it works, Click Here.

Minutes of Angle (MOA): A unit of measure used to align POA with POI. One MOA represents 1.047 inches at 100 yards. For additional information on MOA, Click Here.

Muzzle: The barrel of the gun where the bullet exits.

No-Shoot (NS) Targets: Targets that incur penalties when you shoot them.

Penalty: Points deducted from a shooter's score for infractions like misses, procedural errors, or safety violations during a stage.

Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC): rifles chambered in standard handgun calibers. (9mm, 40 S&W)

Point of Aim (POA): Where the sighting system appears on the target as you aim the firearm. For additional information on POA, Click Here.

Point of Impact (POI): Where the bullet impacts the target using a consistent aiming point. For additional information on POI, Click Here.

Power Factor: a calculation that measures an ammunition's relative performance to a competitor's firearm and groups them into Major and Minor categories. The calculation uses your bullet's weight in grains, multiplied by the velocity in feet per second, then divided by 1,000. For additional details on Power Factor and how it works, Click Here.

Practical Shooting: Shooting sports that focus on point scoring using the balance between accuracy and speed.

Prone: A position where the competitor lies on the ground with the front of the chest closest to the ground.

Range Commands: are essential instructions given by the Range Officer (RO) to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient shooting environment during competitions. Understanding these commands will help competitors follow the flow of the event and adhere to safety protocols.

Range Official (RO): An individual officially serving at a match in the capacity of overseeing and enforcing the rules.

Reload: The action of replenishing the firearm with ammunition during a stage, which can be planned or reactive based on the shooter's strategy.

Rimfire: Firearms designed to shoot cartridges where the primer is located in the rim of the cartridge case head.

SCSA: The Steel Challenge Shooting Association. They offer an annual Steel Challenge event, a steel target, speed shooting competition that appeals to a broad audience of shooting competitors. For a Complete Overview of a Steel Challenge match and how each Stage works, Click Here.

Shooting Index: The ability to draw or transition to a target where the sights are visibly aligned and in the correct position in order to execute a shot.

Sight Picture: What you need to see on a target to execute an accurate shot.

Single-Action (SA): A trigger type that performs one action for each trigger pull. For more details on trigger types, Click Here.

Soft-Cover Barriers: Used to obscure scoring and penalty target areas.

Splits: The time recorded between shots on the same target.

Squib: A very serious condition where the bullet gets stuck in the barrel of the gun.

Stage: A single competitive shooting scenario within a match, designed with various targets and obstacles, where shooters must navigate and engage as efficiently and accurately as possible. For more details on Stages in USPSA Click Here. For more details on Steel Challenge Stages Click Here.

Start Condition: The condition of the firearm prior to the commencement of the course of fire, as defined by the Written Stage Briefing.

String: The number of shots and targets required to be executed on a stage.

Support Hand: The nondominant hand used to support your gun when using a two-handed grip.

Sweeping: When the muzzle of your firearm is aimed at yourself or a person as you move about a stage.

Transitions: The time recorded between shots on different targets.

Trigger Action: How a firearm operates with each trigger press. The trigger action releases the striker, or hammer, causing the primer on a cartridge to be struck and fire a shot. For more details on trigger types, Click Here.

Up-Range: The unsafe 180 degrees of shooting direction, away from the targets. For more details on the 180 rule and Safe Angles, Click Here.

USPSA: The United States Practical Shooting Association. They offer competitive shooting competitions that focus on a competitor's ability to manage speed, power, and accuracy. Competitors compete for the highest scores and shortest times. For additional information on USPSA, Click Here.

Unloading: The process of removing ALL ammunition from a firearm.

Virginia Count Scoring: specifies a fixed number of shots to be fired by the competitor on a stage. The total score is determined by the points accumulated from these shots, with penalties for extra shots, misses, or procedural infractions. For more details on course types, Click Here.

Walk-Through: A designated time to walk through and inspect the stage before you compete.