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.
Shooting distances
| Distance | Variance |
|---|
| 300m range | ± 1.00m |
| 50m range | ± 0.20m |
| 25m range | ± 0.10m |
| 10m range | ± 0.05m |
| 50m running target | ± 0.20m |
| 10m running target | ± 0.05m |
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.
Recommended heights
| Range | Standard height | Variation allowed |
|---|
| 300m | 3.00m | ± 4.00m |
| 50m | 0.75m | ± 0.50m |
| 25m | 1.40m | ± 0.10-0.20m
|
| 10m | 1.40m | ± 0.05m |
| 50m running track | 1.40m | ± 0.20m |
| 10m running track | 1.40m | ± 0.05m |
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
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