Shooting

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the sole controlling body of International Amateur Shooting Sports at international and worldwide levels of competition. 

The ISSF controls the technical regulations in all the target shooting disciplines including pistol, rifle, running target and shotgun.

Australian International Shooting Limited (AISL) is the peak body for target shooting sports in Australia and is affiliated to the ISSF. 

The Olympic program of the shooting consists of 15 different events over three disciplines. These are rifles, pistols and shotguns. Other events not on the Olympic program are running target events and additional rifle and shotgun events.

Range standards for 300m, 50m, 25m, 10m rifle and pistol ranges

Outdoor ranges are constructed so that the sun is behind the shooter as much as possible during the day. There must be no shadows on the targets.

Ranges have a line of targets and firing line. The firing line is parallel to the line of targets.

Recommended features to be included in the design and construction of the range:

• If possible, the range is surrounded by walls for safety reasons.
• Transverse baffle systems to be provided between the firing line and line of targets to prevent accidental exit of unaimed shots.
• 50m and 25m are outdoors where possible, but can be indoors if required by legal or climatic conditions.
• 300m ranges are at a minimum 290m open to the sky.
• 50m ranges are at a minimum 45m open to the sky.
• 25m ranges are at a minimum 12.5m open to the sky.
• There must be sufficient space behind the firing points for the office and jury to perform their duties. A space must also be provided for spectators, separate to the athletes and officials, located at least 5m behind the firing line.
• Each range is equipped with a large time clock at either end and clearly seen by athletes and officials.
• Target frames or mechanisms are marked with numbers (starting from the left) corresponding to their firing point number. The numbers are alternating and in contrasting colours (required for 300m target numbers) and are clearly visible throughout the competition.
• On 25m targets, each group of five targets are lettered, starting with the A group on the left. They are also individually numbered using numbers 11‑­20 for the targets in groups A and B, numbers 21‑­30 for groups C and D, etc.

Wind flag

Rectangular wind flags, which indicate air movements on the range, are placed at distances from the firing lines. The colour of the wind flags contrast with the background. Dual colour or striped wind flags are recommended.

Shooting distances

Shooting distances are measured from the firing line to the target face. Below is a table of shooting distances and allowable variations.

Target centre locations

Target centre locations are measured to the centre of the ten ring. All target centres within a group of targets or range have the same height (± 1cm). 

Below is the recommended heights when measured from the firing point floor.

Firing point standards for rifle and pistol ranges

The firing point is stable, rigid and constructed so that it does not vibrate or move. From the firing line to approximately 1.20m rearward, the firing point is level in all directions. The remainder of the firing point is level or slopes to the rear with a few centimetres drop.

Range standards for running target ranges

The range is arranged so that the target runs horizontally in both directions across an open area at a constant speed. This area is called the opening. The movement of the target across the opening is called a run.

The protective walls on both sides of the opening are high enough so that no part of the target is visible until it reaches the opening. The edges are marked with a colour different from the target.

Ranges are constructed to prevent any person from being exposed to danger during shooting.

The shooting station is arranged so that the athlete is visible to spectators. It can be protected from the weather as long as the athlete is still visible to the spectators.

The 50m running target depicts a running wild boar with scoring rings printed on the shoulder. The animal is printed on a rectangular shaped target paper. Targets are printed in one colour only and show the animal running in left and right directions. Trimming the frame to the shape of the animal is not permitted.

General standards for trap ranges

Trap pit

The trap pit is constructed so that the upper surface of the roof is on the same elevation as the surface of the shooting stations. Interior measurements of the trap pit are approximately 20m from end to end, 2m from front to rear and 2m to 2.1m from the floor to the under side of the roof.

These dimensions will allow freedom of movement for working personnel and sufficient storage space for targets.

General standards for shotgun ranges

Ranges in the northern hemisphere are laid out so shooting is toward a north to north easterly direction. Ranges in the southern hemisphere are laid out so shooting is toward a south to south easterly direction. These arrangements place the sun to the back of the athlete and on the target as much as possible.

Where possible shotgun ranges are constructed with a level shot fall zone that is free of obstacles. This permits the mechanical salvage and the recovery of lead pellets. Net systems may also be installed to capture lead pellets.

General standards for skeet ranges

A skeet field consists of two houses (high house and low house) and eight shooting stations. Stations 1 through 7 are arranged on a segment of a circle with a 19.2m radius and a base chord of 36.8m. This is 5.5m from the centre point of the circle which is marked by a stake.

• The centre of the circle also marks the base of the target crossing point.
• Station 1 is located at the left end of the base chord.
• Station 7 at the right end when standing anywhere on the segment of the circle and facing the centre stake. 
• Stations 2 through 6 are located on the segment of the circle at points equidistant from each other.
• Station 8 is located at the centre of the base chord.
• Shooting stations 1 through 7 are 0.9m square. 
• Shooting station 8 is rectangular, 0.9m wide by 1.85m long, with its long sides parallel to the base chord. 
• The markers for shooting stations 1 through 7 are on the centre of the side nearest the target crossing point. The marker for shooting station 8 is on the centre point of the base chord. 
• All eight shooting stations are on the same level.

General and administrative facilities

The following facilities are provided on or near shooting ranges:

• Athletes’ areas where athletes may relax, change clothes etc.
• Changerooms near the finals and qualification ranges.
• Meeting rooms for use by officials, committees and juries.
• Rooms for offices, target scoring, production of results and storage of targets and related material
• A main scoreboard for posting official results and notices and smaller scoreboards on each range for posting preliminary results. 
• An area for secure arms storage.
• An arms and equipment control area, with changerooms.
• A gunsmith’s shop with suitable work benches and vices.
• Adequate toilet facilities.
• Wireless Internet and email communication services.
• Internet services for operations.
  

References

International Shooting Sport Federation. Edition 2013 (Third Print 01/2015. Effective 1 January 2013). Section General Technical Rules. page 201. 
http://www.issf-sports.org/documents/rules/2013/ISSFRuleBook2013-3rdPrint-ENG.pdf

Sports association details

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia WA Inc

Paul Fitzgerald
State President
PO Box D154 Perth GPO WA 6840
Telephone 0407 773 286
Email president@ssaawa.org.au
Website www.ssaa.org.au
Facebook SSAAWA

West Australian Smallbore Rifle Association Inc

Adrian La Macchia
President
Telephone 0418 900 099
Email a_lamacchia@hotmail.com
Website www.wasra.au

Sporting Clays Western Australia Inc

Sue Green
Secretary
Email secretary@sportingclayswa.org
Website www.sportingclayswa.org
Facebook Clay Target West

West Australian Rifle Association Inc

Venessa Bliss
Administration
Telephone 61 8 9302 6255
Email admin@wara.asn.au
Website www.wara.asn.au

West Australian Pistol Association Inc

Email wapa.president16@gmail.com
Website www.wapa.asn.au

Western Australian Clay Target Association Inc

Christina Alexander
DLGSC Delegate
Telephone 0428 883 468
Email christine.alexander007@gmail.com
Website wacta.com.au

International Practical Shooting Confederation WA Inc

Anne Clampett
Section Coordinator
PO Box 4, Kwinana WA 6167
Telephone 0427 199 695
Email wa.sc@ipsc.org.au
Website www.ipsc.org.au

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.