how do you set up a steel challenge course of fire?

Set up on the most important shot Steel Challenge course often require a lot of twisting and shooting at wide angles. Your body has a natural point of aim, and you shoot your best at targets in that direction.

Full Answer

How do you start Steel Challenge shooting?

Steel Challenge course of fire: Stages consist of 5 static steel targets consisting of 10” and 12” round plates and 18”x24” rectangles at ranges between 7 and 35 yards. Scoring is time plus penalties. Each stage is shot 5 times with 4 best runs counted in final score. Steel challenge rules can be found at https://steelchallenge.com/steel-challenge-Rules-Home.php At least two …

What is the Steel Challenge competition?

Jun 27, 2020 · Steel Challenge Shooting. In addition, runs are cut off at 30 seconds, even if a shooter hasn’t yet hit all five targets. If a shooter hits the 30-second cut off, they must move on to the next run—no redo allowed. In Steel Challenges, stages are almost always the standard stages, meaning they are the same every time.

What is the Steel Challenge in rimfire report?

Steel Challenge rulebook ... All courses of fire will be fired from a single shooting box with the exceptions of Outer Limits and Showdown, which will each have more than one shooting box. ... warning ONLY if they see that the competitor is setting up too low or starting to creep or ‘bounce’. Failure to comply will result in a three ...

What are the hardest steel challenge stages?

May 25, 2018 · 2. There are 24 ways to shoot each stage (except Outer Limits), most don’t work. I number the plates from left to right, 1,2,3,4 and then the stop plate. The number of ways a stage can be shot is a math problem. Since the stop plate is always last, it’s the number of variations that the 4 other plates can be shot.

Targets

Targets vary from 8″ circles to 18″ x 24″ rectangles. All targets are steel, so you get that great “ding” sound when you score a hit. Generally, targets can be shot in any order (except for the stop plate) so half the fun is figuring out what order to shoot them in.

Accessibility

One of the other big advantages of Steel Challenge matches is how easily accessible it is. They have a division for just about any pistol (and some rifles) that you own. Do you have a Glock 19 you shoot in IDPA Stock Service Pistol matches? Good to go. Got a tricked out race gun you use for USPSA Open? Not a problem.

Challenge Yourself

Now that you have a little bit of info on what a Steel Challenge match is all about it’s time to go out and shoot one! Think you are a super fast gun slinger? It’s time to go find out.

How many ways to shoot each stage?

There are 24 ways to shoot each stage (except Outer Limits), most don’t work. I number the plates from left to right, 1,2,3,4 and then the stop plate. The number of ways a stage can be shot is a math problem. Since the stop plate is always last, it’s the number of variations that the 4 other plates can be shot.

What is the physical action of making a gun ready?

There is the physical action of making the gun ready, loading, racking, putting on the safety and holstering (if required). There is also getting yourself ready. After the Make Ready command, I’ll get the gun up and scan every target. This reminds my brain that all of the targets are at the same height (except Pendulum).

How many ways to shoot outer limits?

Outer Limits is different, there are only 4 ways to shoot that stage. You would never shoot Smoke and Hope or 5 To Go in the order 1,4,2,3, S so they are thrown out for those stages. When you get rid of all of the ways NOT to shoot a stage, your left with anywhere from 2 to 8 variations.

What to do after 2 strings?

After 2 strings, look at your hits, are you high, low, or right where you want to be. Every match is different - the position of the plates, plate height, temperature, wind. All of these things affect your accuracy. If after 2 strings you see you’re hitting high on the plate, make the adjustment.

Can makeup shots cost you a lot?

Over multiple strings and stages, makeup shots can cost you a lot. Many times when running shooters in practice, especially after they’ve shot a particularly bad string, I’ll say two things. Take a breath and Go 1 for 1. Most times they end up shooting a fast string.

Can you shoot a Pendulum without raising the gun?

1. Except for Pendulum, all of the plates can be shot without raising or lowering the gun once it’s in position. If you’ve ever shot with me, you’ll notice I have a routine I go through when given the make ready command. To me, there are 2 make-ready’s.

How to pick up speed on a draw?

On match day, after you have gotten into the start position, look at the plate you are about to shoot, and see your sights (or your dot) on the plate. Then listen for the first hint of sound from the buzzer. As soon as you hear the tone begin, keep that sight picture in your head until you see the gun sights match up with that picture - sort of like an overlay on a 'heads up' display. This may sound strange, but a common problem is getting fixated on the draw. Draw speed is a significant part of the time for each run, so it's important. Taking 0.1 sec off each run can save 2.8 seconds on the full 7 stage match, but a few extra shots due to missed/rushed draws and poor shooting wipe out that small advantage . The time to build draw speed is in practice, not on match day. On match day you want a relaxed draw to an optimal shooting grip, and a dead center hit on the first plate.

Why do you take up the slack in the trigger?

Taking up the slack in the trigger as the gun is moving between plates will improve your hits, because you've decreased the distance that the trigger has to move to fire the shot once you have the appropriate sight picture. Less distance means a lower chance that you'll pull the gun out of alignment before the bullet leaves the barrel.

What is the Steel Challenge course?

Steel Challenge course often require a lot of twisting and shooting at wide angles. Your body has a natural point of aim, and you shoot your best at targets in that direction. For each course, decide what shot is the most critical (the 4th plate on 5 to Go, for example, or the option plate on Speed Option) and set up on that plate.

How to draw a gun with a hip?

Punch the gun out to the target. Set up on the critical plate, then turn your hips to position yourself for the draw and other plates. Drive all the turning motion of your body from the hips, not your shoulder or waist. Bending the knees will help accomplish this action.

What does the change in point of impact mean?

Don't be surprised if your point of impact changes quite a bit when you switch from the rest to the draw. That's a signal that your trigger control needs work. The change in point of impact (usually low-left) should tell you what's going on.

What does it mean when you paint steel before you practice?

If you paint the steel before you start practicing, you'll be able to see patterns on the plates as you shoot. If the hits are all over the plates, instead of grouped together in the center, that means you are running on the ragged edge. Edge hits in practice become misses on match day.

Is smoking and hoping a formula for success?

Smoking and hoping is not a formula for success. The fastest you can shoot is the time it takes for one shot, one plate. Shooting faster and firing lots of extras may feel faster, but when the final scores are totalled, it's not faster.

What type of rifle is used in Steel Challenge?

Steel Challenge Rimfire Rifles. In Steel Challenge there is no limitation as to what type of rimfire pistol or rifle you can use. If speed is what you’re after then a semi-automatic pistol or rifle will be the best option but there is nothing stopping you from using a lever action or bolt action rifle.

How many stages are there in Steel Challenge?

There are a total of 8 official stages for the Steel Challenge competition. Each stage is the same regardless of division so rimfire shooting is a great way to introduce yourself to each stage without incurring a massive cost at the front end.

How many strings of fire do you need to shoot in a showdown?

Showdown requires the shooter to shoot from two different positions for two or three out of the 5 strings of fire. Which box you decide to shoot two or three strings from is entirely up to you and usually boils down to preference.

How many rounds are needed for each stage of the sandbox?

Each Stage will require the shooter to shoot a minimum of 25 rounds of ammunition. Each stage consists of 5 strings of fire. Although you could get away with only bringing 3 10-round magazines, it is advisable to bring one magazine for each “string” of shooting. New and inexperienced shooters especially should bring extra ammunition just in case each string takes more than 5 rounds to complete.

What is smoke and hope?

Smoke and Hope Can be looked at in one of two ways. For new shooters , this stage can be seen as a much-needed confidence booster after completely bombing some of the other stages . For some more seasoned shooters including Grand Masters, this stage can be the bane of your existence.

What is speed option?

Speed option is a long-distance stage where higher velocity ammo can come in handy for top-tier competitors. Each of the plates is spaced pretty far apart compared to other stages and they are relatively far away. This makes the sound of the steel ringing happen much later delaying any follow up shots.

What is the outer limit?

In this stage, the shooter engages the first two targets from one spot before transitioning left or right to the middle position to engage the remaining three targets. Easily considered to be one of the hardest steel challenge stages out there.

mazzer

Where I am it's not easy to set up live fire practise with the correct layouts.

GunBugBit

Very nice idea. My approach was to take phone pics of all the stages at my range, then show them on my large family room TV at home for dry fire practice.

mazzer

I've improved it recently by adding this software: https://lasrapp.com/

XDoctor

Alright, so I have a theater in my home with a 120" screen. I've built a media center PC in there, and it runs SimRange LaserShot software. I happen to have the Steel Challenge software.