Steel ChallengeRules2026-03

Overview Glossary Divisions Change Log

Chapters

1Range Rules

1.1Cold Range 1.2Safety Equipment 1.3Dress Code

2Stage Setup & Operation

2.1Target Height 2.2Layout of stages 2.3Stage Diagrams 2.4Safety Areas 2.5Uncasing/Casing Areas

3Course Information

3.1General Regulations 3.2Written Stage Briefings 3.3Applicability of Rules

4Range Equipment

4.1Plate Painting 4.2Rearrangement of Range Equipment or Surface 4.3Range Equipment Failure and Other Issues

5Competitor Equipment Rules

5.1Holsters 5.2Changing Equipment 5.3Ammunition Carriers 5.4Handicapped/Disabled Competitors 5.5Ammunition 5.6Equipment Malfunctions

6General Event Rules

6.1Competitor Status and Credentials 6.2Event Hierarchy 6.3Competition Divisions 6.4Competition Categories 6.5General Principles – Competition Divisions

7Match Management

7.1Match Officials 7.2Discipline of Match Officials 7.3Appointment of Officials

8Stage Procedures, Ready Conditions, and Range Commands

8.1Firearm Ready Conditions 8.2Start Position 8.3Range Commands 8.4Firearm Shooting Sequence 8.5Movement 8.5.1 Except when the competitor is actually aiming or shooting at targets, all movement (see Appendix A3) must be accomplished with the fingers visibly outside the trigger guard. 8.6 Assistance or Interference

9Scoring

9.1General Principles 9.2Maximum Time 9.3Misses (Standard Plates)9.4Misses (Stop Plate)9.5Scoring Methods 9.6Tie Scores (Stage)9.7Scoring Responsibility 9.8Final Scores

10Penalties

10.1Procedural Penalties 10.2Disqualifications, General Principles 10.3Safety violations – The following will be grounds for an automatic disqualification:10.4Accidental discharge 10.5Impairment 10.6Unsportsmanlike behavior

11Arbitration

11.1Right of Arbitration 11.2Time Limit 11.3Fees and Disbursement 11.4Preparing the Appeal 11.5Issues of Fact 11.6The Arbitration Board 11.7Decision Time Limit 11.8Decision is Final

12Miscellaneous Matters

12.1Appendices 12.2Language 12.3Disclaimers 12.4Gender 12.5Measurements

Appendices

A1Match Levels A2Steel Challenge Recognition A3Glossary A4Classification BStage Diagrams CEdge Hits, Example Photographs D1Open Division D2Limited Division D3Rimfire Pistol Division D4Production Division D5Single Stack Division D6Revolver Division D7Carry Optics Division D8Pistol Caliber Carbine Division D9Rimfire Rifle Division D10Limited Optics Division D11Rimfire Revolver Division (Provisional)E1Magazine Measurement

Chapter 9 · Scoring · p.27

9.5Scoring Methods

Steel Challenge events will be timed with sound-actuated shot timers. Hits on plates are scored visually.

9.4Misses (Stop Plate)Tie Scores (Stage)9.6

© 2026 United States Practical Shooting Association. All rights reserved.

Reproduced under authority of USPSA · National Range Officers Institute