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Author Topic: Introduction to Steel Challenge  (Read 10427 times)

Offline JTH

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Introduction to Steel Challenge
« on: December 30, 2012, 08:21:44 AM »
Introduction to Steel Challenge:

Steel Challenge is a straightforward, draw-and-shoot competition where you attempt to hit steel targets as fast as you possibly can.  There is no reloading on the clock, minimal movement (you only move on the clock in one stage--the rest there is no movement at all) and best of all, there are both centerfire and rimfire divisions in which you can shoot.  (So you can come out with a .22 pistol and have a inexpensive good time.)

The following description holds for people shooting in any one of the centerfire handgun divisions--and we'll explain about the divisions later.  (We'll also talk about the differences between the rimfire division and the centerfire divisions--most of what is described below stays the same for all divisions.)

The basic idea:

On any given stage in Steel Challenge, you will start standing in a 3'x3' (or 4'x4') shooting box, with your handgun loaded and holstered, and your wrists above their respective shoulders.  (Called the "surrender position.")

A Range Officer ("RO") behind you will start a timer, making a "beep" noise, and on the beep you will draw and try to hit the five steel targets in front of you as fast as possible, taking as many shots as you need to hit them all.

One of the targets is the "stop plate"---and that means you hit it last.  Once you hit that plate, you stop shooting and your time is recorded.  Hopefully before you shot the stop plate, you had already hit all of the others---because if you have missed any, you get a 3-second penalty, and those hurt quite a bit.  So be accurate!  Hit the stop plate only when you've already hit all the others!

That completes one string of fire--so then you do it again.  And again, and again--for a total of 5 strings.  (So if you are perfect, you'll fire 25 rounds per stage.)  Each time, they'll record your total time for the string.

Once you are finished with your five strings, they'll look at your times, throw out the slowest one, and add up the other four.  And that's your score for the stage! 

You'll then head to the next stage, and do the same thing.

Official full Steel Challenge matches contain eight stages, though local matches sometimes hold less, or add extra non-official stages.  The ENPS matches held at the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club have 6 of the 8 offical SC stages, and we switch which stages we do each time so that we shoot all the 8 stages just about about equally throughout the year.

Here's a link to the stages: 
https://easternnebraskapracticalshooters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/stages.pdf

You can see in the stage designs that most of the targets you are shooting at are 12" round steel plates.  However, occasionally you'll be shooting at 10" plates or the 18"x24" rectangles (our favorites).  The targets are set at distances that range from 7 to 35 yards. 

These stages don't change--every time you come to a steel challenge match, these will be what you are shooting.  As such, you can set up the official stages (using paper plates, if you have nothing else) and practice them on your own, if you wish.

Your ending score for the match is the total time it took for all of your stages.  (Again, remember that we throw out the slowest run out of the five on each stage---so your four best runs will be added together for your stage score, and your match score is all of those stage scores added up.)  Easy to score---total time, and you either hit the targets or you didn't. 

So, what do you need to play?


For Centerfire Divisions:
  • Handgun
  • Safe holster that covers the trigger guard  (Just a hint:  if your holster is made of nylon, it probably isn't going to work.  Also, no crossdraw or thigh holsters are allowed.  None of this is from concealment, so a basic Uncle Mike's kydex belt holster works perfectly well.  Matter of fact, drawing from concealment is not allowed.)
  • Preferably 5 magazines (If you have less, it means you may have to hand one back to someone so they can load it for you while you shoot a different one, and this can certainly be done--but it works best to already have a loaded magazine for every string on a particular stage.)
  • Ear/Eye Protection

...and that's it.


For Rimfire Pistol Divisions:
  • Handgun
  • Preferably 5 magazines (If you have less, it means you may have to hand one back to someone so they can load it for you while you shoot a different one, and this can certainly be done--but it works best to already have a loaded magazine for every string on a particular stage.)
  • Ear/Eye Protection

...and that's it.

You don't need a holster for Rimfire Pistol divisions, because the start position for rimfire pistols is:  holding loaded pistol in both hands aimed at orange cone (about 12 feet downrange of the shooting box) with finger off the trigger.  Between stages you'll just carry your handgun in a bag.  (If you have a holster, you can use that to carry the gun between stages, but you'll still start like everyone else in rimfire pistol.)

For Rifle Divisions, both Rimfire and Pistol-Caliber Carbine:
 
  • Rifle
  • Preferably 5 magazines (If you have less, it means you may have to hand one back to someone so they can load it for you while you shoot a different one, and this can certainly be done--but it works best to already have a loaded magazine for every string on a particular stage.)
  • Ear/Eye Protection
  • Rimfire:  Standard or High-velocity ammunition (explanation given below)

...and that's it.  Rifle divisions are similar to rimfire pistol divisions in terms of start position--rifle loaded, aimed at orange cone with finger off the trigger.

If shooting a rifle, you need to bring a case to bag your gun between shooting stages.  We don't have a long-gun rack on every stage, so you have to case them when you are done shooting a particular stage.

Remember---rifles should have magazine well empty and chamber locked open between stages.  Chamber flags are optional, but strongly preferred.  (Especially if your rifle has a tendency to close the chamber if it gets bounced around in the bag or case.)

Additional comment about rimfire rifles:
Remember, the timers are SOUND-activated.  Without sufficient sound, they won't activate.   The timers need to be sensitive enough to pick up your shots, but not so sensitive that they pick up shots from different bays.  As such, please don't use a suppressor, and don't use sub-sonic ammunition.  Standard or high-velocity ammunition only, please.  We've done what we can to make sure the timer picks up your shots. 

Here's a link to the official rules:
http://uspsa.org/SCSARules%202013.pdf

And here's the official Steel Challenge website:
http://steelchallenge.com/

And here's a link to the official appendix to the rules with the details of the new PCC division: 
https://easternnebraskapracticalshooters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PCC-Appendix-for-SC.pdf

And here are the specifics for the different divisions (basically, what type of gun you are shooting, with what types of modifications, will tell you what division you are competing in...)

Rimfire Pistol:
Open to any pistol firing .22 Long Rifle ammunition (see "ammunition" rule 4.1.2). This event has two equipment divisions:
  • A.2.1: Rimfire Open (RFPO): This is the Rimfire race division. All legal rimfire firearms are allowed. Optics and Compensators are specifically allowed.
  • A.2.2: Rimfire Iron Sights (RFPI): Any Iron-sighted rimfire pistols without a compensator, barrel ports or optic sights. Fiber-optic sight inserts are specifically allowed.

Center Fire Pistol:
Any pistol firing (9mm/.38 Special) or larger ammunition (see "ammunition" rule 4.1.1). This event has multiple equipment divisions as follows.
  • Open (OPN): This is the race division! All legal firearms are allowed. Optics, Compensators, and any safe holster/position are specifically allowed.
  • Carry Optics (CO):  Pistols fitting into the USPSA Carry Optics division are shot in this division.
  • Limited (LTD): Any iron sighted pistol without a compensator, barrel ports, or optical sight. Fiber optic inserts are specifically allowed.
  • Production (PROD): Any double action or safe action pistol on the USPSA Production gun list. No Race holsters allowed.
  • Open Sight Revolver (OSR): Open revolver, with no restrictions for maximum rounds. Optics, Compensators and any safe holster/position allowed.
  • Iron Sight Revolver (ISR): Any iron sighted revolver without a compensator, barrel ports or optical sight. Fiber optic inserts are specifically allowed. No barrel length or holster restrictions. No restrictions for maximum rounds.
  • Single Stack (SS): Will be governed by the criteria in the USPSA handgun rule book. i.e. 1911 models only, no race holsters allowed.

Rimfire Rifle:
Open to any rifle firing .22 Long Rifle ammunition (see "ammunition" rule 4.1.2). This event has two equipment divisions:
  • Open (RFRO):  This is the Rimfire rifle race division. All legal rimfire rifles are allowed. Optics and Compensators are specifically allowed.
  • Iron (RFRI): Any Iron-sighted rimfire rifle without a compensator or optic sight. Fiber-optic sight inserts are specifically allowed.

Pistol-Caliber Carbine:
Open to any rifle or carbine firing 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W,
10mm, or .45 ACP caliber rounds with a maximum muzzle velocity of 1600 feet per second. The carbine must have a stock attached and be fired from the shoulder (AR pistols and SIG braces are specificially not allowed.)  This event has two divisions:
  • Pistol-Caliber Carbine Open (PCCO):  Optical/electronic sights, compensators or muzzle brakes, suppressors are all allowed.  This is the PCC race divisions.
  • Pistol-Caliber Carbine Irons (PCCI):  Iron sights only, no compensators, muzzle brakes, or suppressors are allowed.  Flash hiders are allowed.

Now, we said there is minimal movement---to be precise, there is only one stage (out of the eight official stages) that has any movement on the clock, and that is Outer Limits. On that stage, you shoot two targets from one box, move about 6 feet to the side, and shoot the other three from the second box.  Repeat.  (This is one of the 35-yard stages, and we actually only run this one four times instead of five--and luckily, they still throw out the slowest run.)

And that's it for movement.  There is no reloading on the clock.

In Showdown, you do shoot from two different boxes---however, you complete each string in only one box.  Basically, you shoot two strings from one box, two strings from the second box, and the last string from the box of your choice.  However, none of that box-to-box movement is done on the clock.

The ENPS matches have 6 stages per match--so if you are perfect, you can shoot the entire match in 150 rounds.

I note that I don't recall ever seeing ANYONE have a perfect match, so you'll probably want to bring more than that, just in case.  :)

The entire competition is completely straightfoward---how quickly can you draw and get hits on target?  And it is a ton of fun.

Here a video we made awhile back showing what the stages look like, and what it is like to shoot some of them.  This is several years old, now, by the way, and as I said, we now shoot six stages per match at the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club, instead of five.  Nonetheless, this is what it feels like...


In 2017, the Steel Challenge matches are on:
  • Jan 22nd
  • Feb 19th
  • Jul 16th
  • Oct 15th
  • Nov 19th

ENPS will also host a Level II Steel Challenge Championship on April 22nd and 23rd, with all eight official SC stages and the ability for competitors to shoot in up to four divisions.  (Unlike USPSA, you do not have to be a USPSA/SCSA member to shoot Level II Steel Challenge matches, so this match will be open to everyone.)

Setup and registration for ENPS matches start at 7:15am, registration closes at 8:30, new shooter/safety briefing is at 8:40, match meeting is at 9:00am, and we start shooting right after that.  $15 for the match. 

As I said, matches are held at the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club at  12200 Nebraska 66, Louisville, NE.

Google Map Link

If you decide to shoot the match, please come help set up and tear down.  We are normally done with the match and have everything put away by 1:30 or 2pm, whereupon we head into Louisville for lunch.  :)
« Last Edit: January 13, 2017, 10:52:52 AM by jthhapkido »
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Offline skydve76

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2012, 03:13:24 PM »
I am looking forward to these, is there a capacity limit on the mags?  I nloy have 3 mags for my gun hoping I can find another two in all this madness.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2012, 03:21:18 PM by skydve76 »

Offline kozball

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2012, 07:57:30 PM »
I am looking forward to these, is there a capacity limit on the mags?  I nloy have 3 mags for my gun hoping I can find another two in all this madness.

Depends on what caliber you would compete in. I believe that all 22LR is 10 rounds only, so more mags are a plus. On centerfire, say like 9mm, most mags are 15 - 19 rounds. Only need 5 to complete a run if you don't miss. You could shoot 2 runs on 1 mag depending on capacity and how many rounds were fired. If you do miss some, then more mags would still be a good idea. Or like JTH says, someone would help to reload if needed. We make it work, just let someone know if you need help.
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Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2012, 10:59:11 PM »
I am looking forward to these, is there a capacity limit on the mags?  I nloy have 3 mags for my gun hoping I can find another two in all this madness.

The only division that has a round limit for capacity is Production--in Production, you are limited to 10 rounds in the magazine after the start signal. (So 10+1 for each string.)  For everything else, load 'em up as much as you like.  (Well, technically Cowboy Action has a round limit, but that is because the guns won't hold more than six.)
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Offline Neeco

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2012, 08:09:55 AM »
I may have to shoot this competition.  After watching the USPSA match in November, that takes some serious skill. HA!  Steel looks to be a bit more my speed as a new guy.  I'll plan on being there the 20th to help either way.

Thanks for the post!

My Mosquito will work perfect for this if I can find 3 more mags for it.  And a belt/pouch to hold them all!  My wife is going to love me!  :laugh:

Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2012, 08:34:30 AM »
My Mosquito will work perfect for this if I can find 3 more mags for it.  And a belt/pouch to hold them all!  My wife is going to love me!  :laugh:

Most people just bring their mags up in a bag.  (Matter of fact, most people bring up their .22 pistol AND their mags in a bag---you don't need a holster for .22.)  So don't worry about mag/belt pouches, just get some more mags and come on out!
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Offline abbafandr

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2012, 10:27:53 AM »
Rimfire rifles?  Is this a new development?  What limitations?

Offline skydve76

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2012, 12:35:50 PM »
Is it required to shoot 5 times per stage?  I think for center fire it should be reduced to 3 times per stage.  Given the current, and impending ammo shortages, and current prices that will continue to rise, someone shooting 9mm buying factory ammo is going to need 4 boxes costing nearly $80.

By reducing it to 3 shoots per stage you could in theory get away with 2 boxes, or slightly over, a huge savings.

I know rimfire helps reduce cost but I prefer to use what I carry to use this as practice.

Just a thought.

Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2012, 01:42:09 PM »
Rimfire rifles?  Is this a new development?  What limitations?

Limitations are only what is stated in the rules---.22 LR, Open and Iron divisions.

We'd been thinking about adding them for a year or so, and the official SC rules allow them---so this year, we decided to go strictly by official SC rules for all divisions.  We are an official SC club, so if you have a Steel Challenge membership, make sure to let them know at registration so that your scores get linked to you properly at nationals headquarters.
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Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2012, 01:51:48 PM »
Is it required to shoot 5 times per stage?  I think for center fire it should be reduced to 3 times per stage.  Given the current, and impending ammo shortages, and current prices that will continue to rise, someone shooting 9mm buying factory ammo is going to need 4 boxes costing nearly $80.

By reducing it to 3 shoots per stage you could in theory get away with 2 boxes, or slightly over, a huge savings.

I know rimfire helps reduce cost but I prefer to use what I carry to use this as practice.

Isn't Winchester White Box (bulk) or Federal bulk ammo at Walmart about $24-$26 per box of 100?  Two boxes of that should work out just fine.  If you buy three, you still should have plenty left over to help practice for the next match.

We go by national Steel Challenge rules, as we are an official SC club---so, 5 strings of fire per stage.  If you want to shoot a smaller number of strings, you can---you'll just get the max time of 30 seconds per string for any that you decide not to shoot.  Remember that we throw out the slowest time, so if you want to only shoot four strings, the one that automatically gets thrown out will be the fifth string, and you'll get your score based on the four that you decided to shoot.

If you are just using this for practice, and not worrying about your place in the rankings, that would certainly work out just fine.

This is a national sport, and just like Silhouette Rifle (as an example) has a certain number of required shots at required targets, Steel Challenge is the same.    I don't see the national sport changing the required number of strings any time in the future.
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Offline dcjulie

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2012, 01:53:39 PM »
The rules of Steel Challenge are determined by the USPSA and they specify the number of strings.  Yea, you would use fewer rounds with just 3 strings, but 5 strings is much more fun :)

Offline abbafandr

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2013, 06:34:59 PM »
The more you shoot the merrier :)

Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2013, 12:24:51 PM »
Just wanted to note that I updated the initial post with a couple of comments regarding a bag/case for the rifle, to use to carry it between stages.
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Offline camus

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2013, 06:39:53 PM »
Question, if you are a SCSA member, does it track your scores at all?


Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2013, 10:52:48 PM »
Question, if you are a SCSA member, does it track your scores at all?

Yep!

If you are a SCSA member, make sure to tell us your member number when you register.  When we upload the scores to Nationals, they'll be tracked and used to get you a classification.
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Offline R35P3CT

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2013, 01:02:47 AM »
I wish I could come this weekend.  But I decided snowboarding was more important. :/

Offline skydve76

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2013, 11:11:24 PM »
Trying to figure out which gun to use.  Given glocks have no safety at all I guess I will ask these questions:

Beretta 92 with hammer and safety, Beretta is double action first pull, single action there after.  For starting can safety be off or must safety be on when holster for starting?   

Similar question for 1911, safety on when holstered for start?

I read the rules and nothing in there about this I could see except something about cowboy action hammers for single action guns.

I assume safety has to be on and hammer down (except 1911 hammer has to be back for safety to be on)  Seems if you have a safety you are at a disadvantage having to click it off after draw?   Beretta seems to have double penalty, have to take off safety and cock hammer.

Let me know, thanks!

Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #17 on: January 17, 2013, 05:43:07 AM »
Trying to figure out which gun to use.  Given glocks have no safety at all I guess I will ask these questions:

Beretta 92 with hammer and safety, Beretta is double action first pull, single action there after.  For starting can safety be off or must safety be on when holster for starting?   

Hammer forward (so DA first shot) but safety off.

Quote
Similar question for 1911, safety on when holstered for start?

Cocked and locked.


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Offline JTH

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #18 on: February 05, 2013, 01:08:58 PM »
Added a bit in the Intro post.  Here's the gist of it:

A note regarding rimfire rifles:

At the last match, there were some issues with rimfire rifles being picked up by the timers.  (Remember, the timers are SOUND-activated.  Without sufficient sound, they won't activate.   The timers need to be sensitive enough to pick up your shots, but not so sensitive that they pick up shots from different bays.) To fix this problem, we are doing a few things, and you'll need to do a few things.

Your job:
1) Don't use suppressors, please. That's just not going to work, no matter how cool it looks, or how nice it sounds.
2) Please use standard or high velocity rounds.  Subsonic just isn't going to work.  (And seriously, it isn't like you need to reduce the recoil at all.)

Our job:
1) We went out to the range and tried a number of timers set on different sensitivity levels.  We found a set that works consistently with rimfire rifles---so that's what we'll use specifically for the rimfire rifles.
2) We'll be putting the rifle folks all together in a squad to make sure that they get the timer that is set up for them.

Here's the part you won't like:
We've done what we can to make sure the timer picks up your shots.  However, if it doesn't, it'll be a 30-second run.  In the match, you'll get three strikes, but on the third, we'll be giving the max time.

What that means is that if for a particular string, the timer doesn't pick up your shots, we'll let you re-shoot the string.  In the match, we'll let you do this twice.  On the third time, though, (and every subsequent time) the time will be recorded as 30 seconds (the max time for a stage).  That's two passes per match, not per stage.

We've done what we can, and the timer we have set up picks up standard velocity ammo out of a rifle every time we shoot it.  Hopefully, we won't have any problems.

Please make sure you are shooting standard or high-velocity ammo!  The quiet stuff will probably get you into trouble.
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Offline Lorimor

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Re: Introduction to Steel Challenge
« Reply #19 on: August 17, 2013, 07:07:44 PM »
Isn't there a Single-stack division?
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