Steel Challenge
Match Chairman Bob Richmond, bobr52@icloud.com
Please register at Practiscore.com: http://practiscore.com/search/matches?search=PMRPC
The Steel Challenge is a speed shooting competition governed by the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) that consists of eight standardized stages with steel targets, ranging in size from 10" (25 cm) round plates to 18x24" (45x60 cm) square plates. Competitors are scored solely by the time it takes them to complete each stage, and the match winner is the competitor with the lowest overall time.
The annual World Championship called the World Speed Shooting Championships (WSSC) is held in Frostproof, Florida (since 2012), and draws shooters from around the world.
Stages
PMRPC runs either 7 stages or 8 stages with 5 steel targets on each when no conflict exists with scheduled training. Shooters get five runs on each stage. Each competitor shoots each stage five times, with their slowest run dropped, excluding the stage Outer Limits where only four runs are shot and the top three counted, Outer Limits stage is dropped when a training conflict exists. PMPRC is actively working to eradicate the resource conflict such that all 8 stages are available. The counting times are totaled for their stage score, and the stage scores are added together to establish the competitor's match score.
For each run, one hit per target is required, with an unlimited number of rounds. The last target to be shot is known as the "stop plate", which stops the timer. All primary target hits made after the stop plate has been struck, will be scored with a 3 second penalty each. The maximum time permitted for a run is 30 seconds and a competitor will be stopped and asked to reload if they reach the 30 second limit.
The Steel Challenge comprises eight courses of fire called 'stages. They are:
• Pendulum • Roundabout • Showdown • Five To Go • Speed Option • Smoke & Hope • Outer Limits • Accelerator
The steel targets used are:
• 10" round plates (approximately 25 cm) • 12" round plates (approximately 30 cm) • 18x24" square plates (approximately 45x60 cm)
SAFETY – always our first priority Hearing and eye protection is always mandatory, for all participants and guests.
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger indexed on slide or side until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use Know your target and what is beyond.
Know how to use the gun safely.
Be sure the gun is safe to operate
Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
PMPRC is a cold range: *The only time a shooter may handle a firearm is at a designated Safe Table or instructed to do so by the Range Officer [RO] in preparation for shooting a Course of Fire [CoF].
*At the Safe Table, you may take your gun out of the gun bag, put it in your holster, or perform maintenance. When not holstered, the muzzle must be pointing in a safe direction – into the adjacent berm.
*All firearms are to remain unloaded at all times until instructed by the RO to “Make Ready” in preparation for shooting a CoF.
*You may load when instructed to do so except within 10’ of the Safe Table. Under no circumstances is ammunition to be handled at the Safe Table; it is permissible to have loaded magazines or moonclips on your belt at the Safe Table, but they may not be handled.
*Range Carts used to transport firearms between stages need to secure firearm such that muzzles are pointed at the ground
STARTING COMMANDS
Range commands will proceed as follows:
“Make Ready” – Under the direct supervision of the Range Officer, the competitor must face down range and prepare their handgun. The competitor must then assume the required start position. At this point, the Range Officer will proceed.
“Are You Ready?” – The lack of any negative response from the competitor indicates that he fully understands the requirements of the course of fire and is ready to proceed. If the competitor is not ready at the “Are You Ready?” command, he must state “Not Ready.”
“Standby” – This command should be followed by the start signal within 1 to 4 seconds.
“Reload If Required And Holster.” – This command follows the completion of one of the component strings in a stage. Either the contestant has shot the stop plate, or has exceeded the maximum time.
“Stop” – Any Range Officer assigned to a stage may issue this command at any time. The competitor must immediately cease firing, stop moving and wait for further instructions from the Range Officer.
“If You Are Finished, Unload And Show Clear” – Competitor has finished shooting, he must lower his handgun and present it for inspection by the Range Officer with the muzzle pointed down range, magazine removed, slide locked or held open, and chamber empty. Revolvers must be presented with the cylinder open and empty. “If Clear, Hammer Down, Holster”
“Range Is Clear” – This declaration signifies the end of the stage. Once the declaration is made, officials and competitors may move forward to score/paint targets.
GENERAL – we need your help! A lot of effort goes into running a Steel Challenge match and it’s a volunteer sport – We need help setting up and tearing down stages. Generally we set up on the Friday morning prior to the match starting at 7 AM and running till 9AM and finish set up the morning of the match beginning at 7AM. Please come early and help set up, when possible. During the match we have both a Range Officer and Score Keeper for each squad. All participants are responsible for safety at all times. Please announce current shooter, shooter on deck and shooter in-the-hole, if you are these shooters you should be able to come to the line when called without delay. Manage the squad such that you and your squad operate safely and efficiently at all times minimizing delays and maintaining the pace of the other squads in completing stages. Contestants are to go to the line prepared with the appropriate number of magazines, or speed loaders and needed ammunition, to avoid causing unnecessary delays. When a contestant has finished, the Range Officer will call the next contestant to the line. Practice drawing or sighting must be held to a minimum and will not be allowed after the first string of fire. When match is completed each squad is responsible for participating in the teardown of all the stages, usually there is at least one more stage than squads so this means you help is needed in tearing down the last stage you shoot as well as one other completing when all materials are properly stored in the conex boxes.
Abbreviation Division Name
CO -- Carry Optica
ISR -- Iron Sight Revolver
LTD -- Limited
OPN -- Open
OSR --