Practical Shooting

Practical Shooting is one of the fastest-growing shooting sports in Australia. Known for its high-energy, quick-thinking format, the discipline was developed to provide challenging and active matches that push competitors to perform under pressure.

The discipline began in Western Australia nearly 30 years ago as a state-based handgun sport. Over time, it expanded and is now recognised nationally. In countries where International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) competitions are conducted, a national equivalent is typically used, Practical Shooting is the SSAA’s equivalent discipline in Australia.

Practical Shooting matches are designed to continually challenge competitors and prevent routines from becoming predictable.

Key features include:

• A minimum of three stages per match
• Courses designed to test accuracy, speed and power
• Regular changes to course design to keep matches fresh

Courses of fire may be:

• Published, with full details provided before competition
• Semi-surprise, where limited information or diagrams are available
• Surprise, where shooters receive minimal information beyond safety requirements

Targets used may include:

• Paper or cardboard SSAA targets
• Steel targets that fall, swing or overturn when hit
• Frangible targets such as clay targets or tiles
• Other approved targets such as bullseyes or wooden posts

Competitors are graded and reviewed regularly to ensure fair competition.

Practical Shooting caters to rimfire and centrefire pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns, each with their own divisions and equipment rules.

Handgun

Handgun shooting includes self-loading pistols and revolvers, with calibres ranging from .22 to .38, and is conducted at distances of up to 50 metres.

Handgun divisions include:

Open

Highly modified “race guns” featuring optical sights, compensated barrels, modified triggers and oversized controls.

Standard

Often regarded as the traditional division. Metallic sights are common, with permitted modifications remaining within strict rule limits.

Production

Firearms commonly used by police and security forces. Modifications are limited, with most handguns used straight out of the box. Currently restricted to 9mm calibre firearms.

Revolver

Restricted to revolvers only. This division is widely respected due to its difficulty, requiring a high level of skill and consistency. Six- and eight-shot revolvers are most common.

Scoring categories include Major, Minor and Small Pistol power factor.

Shotgun

Shotgun Practical Shooting includes:

• Break-action
• Lever-action
• Pump-action
• Semi-automatic (where legal)

Two divisions apply:

• Standard, with minimal modifications
• Open, allowing enhancements such as red dot sights, barrel porting, compensating stocks and ammunition carriers

Shotgun shooting is conducted at distances of up to 100 metres.

Rifle

Rifle Practical Shooting includes:

• Bolt-action
• Lever-action
• Pump-action
• Semi-automatic (where legal)

Divisions are Standard and Open.

• Rimfire Rifle shooting is conducted up to 100 metres
• Centrefire Rifle shooting is conducted up to 500 metres

Steel Challenge is a popular sub-discipline of Practical Shooting focused on speed and consistency using static steel targets.

Steel Challenge features:

• Rimfire and centrefire handgun competition
• Rimfire firearms chambered in .22 Long Rifle only
• Centrefire handguns chambered in .38 Special / 9mm minimum
• A minimum projectile velocity of 750fps

Competitors shoot eight fixed stages: Accelerator, Five to Go, Outer Limits, Pendulum, Roundabout, Showdown, Smoke & Hope and Speed Option.

Scoring is simple: your time is your score. Each stage includes five steel plates, with the final plate acting as the stop plate. The fastest valid times determine final standings.

• Practical shooting rule book No. 6 Rev July 2019
• Practical Shooting
• SSAA Standard Rules No 9.2 Rev Nov 2022
• Steel Challenge Rule Book Jan 2025
• Steel Challenge Rule Book 2025 Rules Copyright Permission