Dictionary of Shooting
TermsA-17 Target The conventional 50 foot target. Used for qualification shooting and 4-Position matches.
A-36 Target The internation 50 foot target. Used for international 3-position matches and NRA 3-position matches.
Aggregate Match [1.7(l)] A match composed of the sum of the scores from two or more matches. This may be an aggregate of match stages, individual matches, team matches, or any combination, provided the tournament program clearly states the matches which will comprise the aggregate. Entries in aggregate matches must be made before the competitor commences firing in any of the matches making up the aggregate match.
Any Sights [3.7] A match which allows telescopic sights (scopes) to be used.
Approved Tournaments [1.6(g)] A tournament authorized by the NRA. (National Records may not be set at approved tournaments.)
Assigned Classification [19.6] A competitor who has a classification in one type of competition but does not have a classification in the type of tournament he will be competing will us his highest earned classification as an assigned classification.
Backer (Backing Target) A blank piece of paper of target size and material positioned in accordance to rule 6.7. Used to detect cross fires, excess hits and to verify, when required, the number of record shots fired on the target.
Bullseye (Bull) An aiming point printed on a target card. The aiming point for shooting is usually circular and contains concentric numbered rings for scoring purposes.
Camp Perry An Ohio National Guard base where the National Smallbore Rifle Conventional Prone and NRA 3-Position Championships are held.
Category A grouping of individuals designated by a specific title in a tournament program to establish a system of competing for awards. Those groupings may be used within a classification, or in certain circumstances, instead of classification. (Examples: Junior, Senior, Military, Collegiate, etc.)
Center shots [14.3(e)] On targets which do not have an "X"-ring, center shots are used to determine potential ties. The scoring of center shots varies depending upon the target.
Challenge [16.1] This is the term used to designate the "questioning" of the value or scoring of a shot.
Challenge Fee A fee paid to the Range Officer or Statistical Officer to entitle the competitor to have his shot or target checked or rescored. If it was originally scored correctly, the challenger loses his challenge and his fee. If his challenge is sustained, the challenge fee is returned to him. This fee is used primarily as a control measure to avoid indiscriminate challenging.
Classification The grouping of individuals by averaging a number of match scores. Classifications are designed to have individuals compete for awards against others of similar competitive skill levels.
Classified Match [1.7(e)] A match in which awards are given to the winners and to the highest competitors in several specified classes such as Master, Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman.
Coaching Assisting the shooter by giving him instructions on sight corrections, timing, etc., during the time a shooter is firing a match.
Conventional Conventional courses of fire refer to the tournaments that are fired on standard American targets using standard American courses of fire as contrasted to international type shooting.
Collegiate [2.8] Regularly enrolled undergraduate students who carry 12 or more semester hours or the equivalent in an accredited two or four year collegiate level institution and who have not received a Bachelor's Degree. Eligibility to compete as a collegiate shall extend for a maximum of four years within a five year period beginning when a student first attends any class as a full-time (12 or more credit hours) student.
Cross Fire When a competitor fires on another competitor's target, it is considered a cross fire. Penalty points are assessed.
Dewar Course This course of fire obtains its name from the International Dewar Team Match. The course consists of 20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100 yards from the prone position using either standard or metric targets. Metallic sights are used in the International Match. Domestic competition is also fired with telescopic sights.
Dry Firing This is method of practice where the shooter takes position, closes the action (WITHOUT LOADING), and squeezes the trigger. This is permitted during the preparation period.
Entry The act of declaring intent to shoot in a match and the paying of the required fee to the proper official in accordance with the program for such match.
Entry Fee The fee paid by the competitor to enter a given match or tournament.
Excessive Hits More visible hits on the target than permitted in the firing schedule.
Fired Match A match actually fired by the competitor with a given number or rounds and a possible score.
Firing Line [6.1] The firing line is immediately in front of the several firing points. All ranges are measured from this firing line to the face of the targets when the targets are hung in their proper position in front of the backstop.
Firing Point [6.2] That part of the range provided for the competitor immediately to the rear of the firing line from which firing takes place. Each firing point is numbered to correspond with the target frames.
Fouling or Warming Shots Shots fired for the purpose of clearing the bore of cleaning solution and the "settle the barrel", preparatory to sighting and record shots.
Framing Targets A term used to describe the act of placing smallbore targets on the frames ready for firing.
Free Rifle [Int'l 3.1] In international style shooting, a rifle which has very few restrictions. Free rifles are permitted hook buttplates, adjustable cheek-pieces, thumbhole stocks, and numerous other features which standard rifles are not.
Gallery [6.4] All 50 foot matches are considered gallery or indoor matches.
Indoor [6.4] All 50 foot matches are considered indoor or gallery matches.
Infiltration Squadding A method of firing slow fire matches in which subsequent relays move on to the line as soon as the shooter at that particular point finished ahead of them.
Intermediate Junior [2.3.1] A junior may also compete as an Intermediate Junior from January 1, of the calendar year in which his or her 15th birthday occurs through December 31, of the calendar year in which his or her 17th birthday occurs.
International International refers to international type shooting and courses of fire using international type targets and equipment.
International Team Tryouts [1.6(b)] U.S. Tournaments conducted under UIT International Rules organized as Preliminary or Final Tryouts for the selection of US Shooting Team members.
Invitational Match [1.7(f)] A match in which participation is limited to those who have been invited to compete.
ISU (International Shooting Union) The international organization which organizes and administrates shooting competitions between countries. These competitions include World Cups, Pan-American Games, and the Olympics.
Junior [2.3] A person may compete as a Junior through December 31 of the calendar year in which his or her 20th birthday occurs.
Jury [11.2.1] In all Registered Tournaments where no Official Referee is assigned, a 3-member Jury will be formed to handle all duties normally assigned to a Referee.
Kneeling
League [1.6(h)] A group of individuals or teams competing in a series of scheduled matches or tournaments.
Match [1.7(a)] A complete event as indicated in the program for the issuance of certain awards. A match may consist of one or of several stages. It may, in the case of aggregate matches, include the scores fired in several subsidiary matches.
Match Director [11.1] The person directly responsible for the efficient conduct of the entire tournament.
Match Supervisor [11.3] The person who is responsible for seeing that all Rules are properly interpreted and applied. (Required for all Approved matches; the Referee or Jury perform these duties at Registered matches.)
Metallic Sights [3.7] Any sighting system, constructed of metal or equivalent, which provides a method of aiming or aligning 2 separate but visible sights, or reference points mounted on the rifle. Corrective lenses may be included in metallic sights used in conventional matches. Corrective lenses may not be included in the sights in international matches.
National Championships [1.6(c)]
National Record [17]
NRA (National Rifle Association)
NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)
NCAA Eligibility
Offhand
Open Match [1.7(c)] A match open to anyone. (May require some type of organizational membership.)
Outdoor All 50 yard, 50 meter, and 100 yard matches are considered outdoor.
Overlay [14] A clear plastic strip with shot holes and/or scoring rings printed on the surface.
Pair Firing Competitors placed on the same firing point and using the same target alternately is pair firing. Used during team matches quite extensively and to some degree in individual matches.
Plug [14] A metal scoring gauge used to determine the value of close hits.
Post Entry An entry made after the regular entry closing time. Because of the extra work placed on the Statistical Office as a result of late entries, and additional fee is charged (the "Post Entry Fee"). Sometimes no post entries are accepted. "Post Entries" have no connection with "Postal Matches".
Postal Match [1.6(i)] A match in which competitors fire on their home ranges using targets which have been marked for proper identification. Fired targets and/or scores are then exchanged by mail.
Preparation Period [10.3.1] A period of time (usually 3 minutes) whereby competitors are allowed to take their places at their firing points and prepaired to fire. Dry firing is permeted during the preparation period.
Prone
Protest [16.2] A method of making a formal complaint concerning the operation of the match, an interpretation of the rules or actions of other competitors. Scores cannot be protested [see Challenge].
Program [21] A sheet or booklet which describes the conditions of the tournament, the course of fire, entry information, time and date of the tournament, awards schedule, etc.
Range Officer [11.4 & 11.5] The person in charge of the range and responsible for range safety and enforcing all rules.
Ready Line A line behind the firing line behind which all non-shooting people and are to remain.
Re-Entry Match [1.7(i)] A tournament or match in which a competitor is permitted to fire another score for record by paying and additional entry fee.
Referee [11.2] The person who is responsible for seeing that all Rules are properly interpreted and applied.
Regional Championships [1.6(d)] Tournaments run throughout different regions of the country. People who win their class can receive credit towards their entry fees for the National Championships.
Registered Tournaments [1.6(f)] A tournament authorized by the NRA. (National Records may be set at registered tournaments.)
Registration Fee The fee paid to the sponsor for the administrative handling of registering the competitor.
Relay A group of competitors who fire at the same time. Although smaller outdoor tournaments only have one relay, larger outdoor tournaments and indoor tournaments have 2 or more relays.
Results Bulletin A sheet or booklet stating the competitors final scores and awards.
Restricted Match [1.7(d)] A match in which competition is limited to specified groups, i.e., juniors, women, civilians, etc.; or to specified classes, i.e., Masters, Experts, Sharpshooters, Marksmen, etc.
Ricochet A bullet which has hit an object and "bounced" off in a different direction than that which it was originally traveling.
Score The total value of all required shots fired by a competitor in any one match.
Score Record Book (Temporary Score Book) [19.14] A book (provided by NRA) in which a competitor records his match scores until he receives his official NRA classification card. The Score Record Book acts as a temporary classification card until a classification card is received.
Sectional Championships [1.6(d)] Indoor tournaments run throughout the country. Competitors are not only shooting at their sectional level, but are actually competing agains all the people shooting in the other sectionals as well. The sectional scores are combined and tallied for the results of the National Indoor Championships. Competitors may only enter one sectional per year (per course of fire).
Sighting Shots (Sighters) Shots fired at a target provided for that purpose and used to obtain desired information relative to adjustment of sights for the match which immediately follows.
Sitting
Sling A strap connected to the shooters arm and the rifle used to support the rifle in the prone, sitting, and kneeling positions. The sling is not used in the standing position.
Special Tournaments [1.6(j)]
Squadded Match A match in which each competitor is assigned a definite relay and target by the Statistical Office.
Squadding Ticket [18.6]
String A series of shots (usually 5 or 10 shots) forming a part of a "stage". For example, on the 50 yard smallbore target, the competitor fires 5-shot strings at each of the 4 bullseyes to complete a 20 shot stage. On the 100 yard smallbore target, the competitor fires 10-shot strings on each of the 2 bullseyes to complete a 20 shot stage.
Stage [1.7(b)] In a match fired at more than one range or in more than one position, each range or position is referred to as a "stage" of the match. The Dewar Match is a "2-stage match" as it calls for 20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100 yards.
Standard Rifle [Int'l 3.2] In international style shooting, a rifle which meets certain restrictions. Standard rifles are not permitted to have hook buttplates, adjustable cheek-pieces, thumbhole stocks, and numerous other features.
Standing
State Championships [1.6(e)]
State Games [1.6(k)]
Statistical Officer [11.6] The person in charge of all statistical work in connection with the match.
Sub-Junior [2.3.2] A junior may also compete as a Sub-Junior through December 31, of the calendar year in which his or her 14th birthday occurs.
Target A surface, usually paper or tagboard containing one or more aiming points which is frequently called a target card.
Target Butts It might be said that "target butt" (or target pit) is a general term referring broadly to that end of the range which receives the bullets as compared to the other end of the range, broadly referred to as the "firing line", which sends the bullets. A more specific application of "target butts" is applied to the parapet which protects the target markers and over which the targets are exposed for firing.
Target Officer [11.7] The person in charge of all fired and unfired targets.
Team Captain [12.1]
Team Coach [12.2]
Tournament [1.6]
UIT This stands for International Shooting Union. Because this is an international organization, they did not use the English spelling. UIT is the abbreviation for the French spelling of International Shooting Union. (see ISU.)
Unfired Team Match A team match composed of the aggregate scores of a specified number of team members taken from the individual matches fired by these same members. (Not considered for national records.)
Unsquadded Match A match in which the competitor reports to the range officer within a specified time limit and is then assigned a target and relay in which to fire.
USA Shooting This is the national governing body for international shooting in the United States. USA Shooting is the organization which selects, trains, and manages the US Shooting Team.
Visible and Non-Visible Hits Visible hist are those in which a separate bullet hole can be identified for each shot fired. Non-visible hist are those in which "doubles" are possible wherein two bullets have gone through the same hole, or where a bullet has gone through an enlarged hole made by two or three other bullets.
"X" Ring An inner circle placed inside the bullseye of many targets. This inner circle makes it possible to decide tie scores without changing the total score. The highest value for a hit on a smallbore target is 10. Consequently the inner circle placed in these targets is designated an "X" (the Roman numeral ten).
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