Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Ammo
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Ammo
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
Enter to WIN Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle in FREE GUN FRIDAY!

Steel Challenge: The Fastest Handgun Shooting Sport

Caleb Giddings by Caleb Giddings
June 17, 2022
in Lifestyle, Steel Challenge
0
Jessie Harrison won Steel Challenge the last time it was at Piru Ranch
0
SHARES
274
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

It’s always tempting to compare the action shooting sports to various forms of car racing. However, those analogies usually don’t hold up. Except for one, and that’s Steel Challenge. This fastest of the handgun shooting sports has plenty of similarities to drag racing, as you’ll see.

the 2022 Steel Challenge championship crowned KC Eusebio as overall champion, and Jessie Harrison as the first ever female steel master
RELATED STORY

2022 Steel Challenge Results: A Year of Records

The Guns of Steel Challenge

Because it’s a division of the United States Practical Shooting Association, Steel Challenge (SC) uses the same equipment divisions, with a couple of additions. It mirrors the Open, Limited, Production, Single Stack, and Carry Optics divisions. However, SC has two revolver divisions. One is Iron Sight Revolver, and the other is Optic Revolver. Obviously, Optic Revolver is for revolvers that have optics, they’re also allowed to have compensators. Think of it as Open division but for revolvers. Like USPSA, SC allows centerfire wheelguns to hold up to 8 rounds.

Another slight difference is that Steel Challenge has two divisions for Pistol Caliber Carbine. PCCO = Optics, and PCCI = Irons. The iron sight PCC division isn’t particularly popular, but it does exist. However, what really sets SC apart while simultaneously making it very welcoming with a low cost of entry are its rimfire divisions. The fastest shooting sport in the world has four divisions for rimfire guns. Those are Rimfire Pistol Optics/Irons, and Rimfire Rifle Optics/Irons. The optics divisions for rimfire rifle and pistol are incredibly popular at both local matches as well at state, area, and the World Speed Shooting Championship. They also help make the sport very easy to get into, since all you need is a Ruger 10/22 or a Ruger MkIV and some magazines.

The Steel Challenge Rules

Steel Challenge matches feature the same 8 stages
Freeze Frame of the Steel Challenge stage Smoke & Hope

Unlike USPSA or IDPA which have a theoretically unlimited number of stages, Steel Challenge only has 8 sanctioned stages. Each stage consists of 5 steel targets in various arrangements depending on the stage. There are four main targets, and the fifth steel plate is called the stop plate. Each stage is broken down into 5 individual strings of fire, with one exception. One stage, Outer Limits, is only four strings of fire. This is because Outer Limits has the longest shots of any SC stage. Plus, it’s the only SC stage that features movement on the clock. Your score on the stage is the sum of your best four (or three) string times. For example, on the blazing fast stage Smoke and Hope, they’ll take your worst string time and toss it out. Then add the four remaining times together to get your stage score. The winner of the match is whomever has the fastest total match time.

Because of the simple scoring system, Steel Challenge shooting events are very easy to follow. They’re also quite spectator friendly. Additionally, the support equipment is simple. The rimfire pistol divisions don’t even require a holster. You will need a holster that covers the trigger guard if you want to shoot a centerfire pistol at a Steel Challenge match. Also, for the centerfire divisions, the bullet has to have a minimum diameter of .355, making 9mm or 38 Special the smallest calibers you can shoot at the match.

Shooting a Match

As mentioned above, there are only 8 official Steel Challenge stages. The World Speed Shooting Championships, which has been held the last two years in Talladega, has all 8 stages. But for a local club match expect at least 4-5 of the official stages. Major matches, such as state or area championships, must have at least 6 of the official stages. 

As a shooter, for a club match you’ll need around 200-250 rounds of ammo. If you’re going to shoot a centerfire gun like Production, Open, Carry Optics, etc you’ll need a belt and holster. It helps to have at least 5 magazines, but you can make do with 3 if they hold at least 15 or more rounds. Just make sure to change magazines between strings so you don’t run out of rounds. A reload will really kill your time. Rifle shooters, rimfire and PCC, will need a rifle bag and a chamber flag, as well as sufficient magazines.

The official Steel Challenge rules are available online, as well as an explanation of how the classification system works. If you’re new, don’t worry too much about your classification, and just focus on getting hits. But most importantly, have fun. Steel Challenge is a great sport that will provide you with a lifetime of fun, and is accessible to shooters of every age and physical cability.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life.

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life: Clint Smith Collaborations

Experience the vehicles of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Mad Max Vehicles: Witness the Once in a Lifetime Car Auction

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Load More

TACTICAL-LIFE NIGHT SHOOTER SEASON 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

The EAA Girsan MC P35 PI Pistol.

EAA Girsan MC P35 PI: Browning Hi-Power Style Gun for Carry, Duty

Once not so long ago, we all thought the Browning Hi-Power was dead. In 2018, Browning announced the end of...

Read more

TRENDING

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

The MAUSER 98 125th Anniversary Limited-Edition Series.

The MAUSER 98 125th Anniversary Limited-Edition Series

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

5 new pistols launched at NASGW.

5 New Pistols Launching for 2023

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

If you’re reading this publication, you’re most likely familiar with the “speed reload,” sometimes called the “combat reload” or “emergency...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

self-defense myths can be dangerous

Self-Defense Myths that Could Get you Killed

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Remington Ammunition Issues Recall Notice on 12-Gauge Premier Accutip Ammo.

Remington Ammunition Issues a 12-Gauge Premier AccuTip Ammo Recall

Remington Ammunition has recently discovered an issue related to its 12-Gauge Premier Accutip ammo and issued a recall notice. This...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
  • Ammo
  • Gear
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
    • Accessories
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.