Practical shooting is an international competition that is shot on all continents with regular local, state, national, regional and international championships.
It is controlled by the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC).
IPSC Australia Inc is the body recognised by the Australian Government for the management and regulation of the sport.
Licensing & prerequisites
- H category firearm licence
- PA Holster Accreditation card
Firearms permitted
Practical competitions are most often for centre-fire pistols and revolvers of calibres from 9mm to .38.
Occasionally, competitions are held for rifle and/or shotgun.
Match details
Matches comprise all four events:
- practical
- barricades
- plates
- mover.
Several open competitions are held during the year and scores from these matches are used to select the NT Team for the Action Pistol Nationals.
Shooting stages usually require competitors to move away from a starting position to enable them to see and engage all the targets in the stage.
This adds an athletic component to the test, as well as an intellectual one in that the competitor is required to work out the most efficient manner and order of engaging the targets, taking into account his/her own shooting skills and athleticism.
Targets and scoring
A variety of target types are used:
- paper and steel
- stationary and moving
- scoring targets and penalty targets.
There are no set ways these targets are arranged, nor even how many targets are used in a single match.
These matches consist of short, medium and long courses. Short courses up to 12 targets, medium course up to 24 targets and long up to 32 targets with a maximum of 32 scoring hits. Courses of fire may incorporate standard targets and steel targets where competitors may engage targets from a stationery and or moving positions within the course of fire. There are no set ways these targets are arranged,
IPSC Scoring: The Basics
IPSC scoring is distinctive, rewarding competitors who can effectively balance speed and accuracy. The primary aim is to hit targets while minimizing the time it takes to complete a course of fire. Here is a concise overview of how IPSC scoring functions:
- Targets: IPSC targets are typically cardboard silhouettes with scoring zones, replicating potential threats. Each target is scored using a numerical value system, with the center being the highest point value.
- Scoring Zones: IPSC targets have varying scoring zones, including A, C, and D zones. The A zone, located at the center of the target, provides the highest score, followed by the C zone. The D zone yields the lowest score.
- Time: Competitors are timed from the start signal to the last shot fired. The total time is a critical component in the hit factor calculation.
Competitors are ranked for each stage by their hit factor, which is the ratio of points per second. The hit factor is calculated by summing the points (target scores minus penalties) and dividing by the time used. The highest hit factor wins the stage.