USPSA Scoring Methods

For this month’s blog, we are providing a brief overview of the different USPSA scoring methods and what each one means.  The scoring methods are defined in Section 9.2 of the rulebook and include the following.

The most common scoring method is Comstock and is defined as unlimited time and unlimited number of shots.  What this means in a practical sense is that you, as the shooter, can take as much time as you need to complete the course of fire, and you can shoot each target as many times as you want.  If you think maybe you missed a target or noticed a hit in hard cover or a no-shoot, you can make up that shot without penalty.

In a Virginia Count stage, the time is still unlimited, but the number of shots is limited to that required in the Written Stage Briefing.  This means that you can take as much time as you need to complete the course of fire, but any extra shots are penalized.  Extra hits within the scoring zone of a target are also penalized.  This means that if you take an extra shot and hit the target an extra time, you’ll be penalized twice – once for the extra shot and once for the extra hit.  Extra hits on a no-shoot or in hard cover are not penalized.  We are often asked, about a Virginia Count stage, “can I make up a shot if I think I missed?”  The quick answer that you’ll get is “no”, but the correct answer is “yes, but you’ll be penalized for doing so.”  Penalties are assessed at twice the maximum scoring value of a hit on a target, or ten points.  Some competitors will know that they missed a shot and will do a quick assessment in their head: “is it worth the extra shot penalty to make up for the miss penalty?”  The answer to that depends on the stage and your skill level.

The least common scoring method is Fixed Time and has the same shot number limitations as a Virginia Count stage but also has a limited time in which you can complete the course of fire.  A shot fired shot beyond the specified time will result in a penalty for overtime shots.  There is a 0.3 second leeway built into the rules to account for a shooter’s reaction time: for example, if the specified time is 4 seconds, a shot at 4.30 seconds would not be penalized, but a shot at 4.31 seconds will incur an overtime shot penalty.

Virginia Count and Fixed Time stages can only use cardboard targets, so any USPSA stage with steel targets must use Comstock scoring.

All the current USPSA rule books can be found here: https://uspsa.org/rules.

Thanks for reading, and if you have a question that you would like to have answered in this space, please email us at info@magiccityactionshooters.org.

Match Etiquette

As you’re getting ready for your next match, making a mental list of all the things you need, gun, mag pouches, holster, ammo…make sure you think about your match etiquette.  Even the most experienced shooters have violated match etiquette, and for the new shooter it’s even harder because match etiquette isn’t something we talk about, and if you make an etiquette faux pas, it’s unlikely that anyone will tell you about it, but you might notice that people stop squadding with you.   

The first thing to know is that all local matches are run and staffed 100% by volunteers; for clubs to continue to host matches, they depend on the competitors to volunteer to set up, serve as range officers, pick brass, restore targets, and tear down.  The fastest way for a club to stop holding matches is for them to get little or no help with setting up and tearing down stages.

All match directors know not everyone can come to help set up a match the day before.  We know that people from out of town come the morning of the match, and some folks have jobs or family commitments that keep them from helping the night before.  However, make sure you lend a hand when you get to the match that morning.  The things that need to be done the morning of the match are setting out targets, painting steel (after it has been calibrated); if you aren’t sure what needs to be done, just ask, and someone will be happy to help show you. 

Make sure you arrive early and get signed in as soon as you are able the morning of the match; the match can get started as soon as everyone is signed in.  Also, along this line, make sure you withdraw from a match if you can no longer make it (we use Practiscore to register and withdraw from matches), don’t just not show up, we then must wait to see if you are going to show up before we can get everything done to get the match started.  It is frustrating waiting on people who never show up and it can really slow down a match getting started.

Have all your gear ready, magazines loaded, belt on before the shooter’s meeting, that way as soon as the meeting is over, you can head to the bay you’re starting on and get the stage brief read right away. 

Now that the match has started, it is time to make sure you are a good squad mate and competitor.  First, make sure you are helping by resetting stages between shooters.  You should be taping scored targets, resetting steel, picking brass (and getting it back to the shooter). 

Pay close attention to the shooting order (the order will be read after each person is done shooting) when you are the “in the hole” shooter, this is the time for you to focus on making sure you are ready to shoot. 

When you are the “on deck” shooter, this is your time to walk the stage and get your stage plan finalized.  The “on deck” shooter is the ONLY shooter that should be walking the stage.  It is considered very rude to walk the stage when you are not the “on deck” shooter, and you may get asked to leave the stage by an RO or the shooter.

When you are done shooting, take a few minutes to get your gear together, reload your mags, then get back to helping your squad keep the stage running.

Once you have a good number of matches under your belt, and a strong understanding of the rules, ask the match director if you can start being trained to run the tablet and timer to help by being a range officer. 

Once, the match is done, there is more work to do.  Once the match director has given the all clear to tear down a stage, all the props need to be taken down and put away.  Make sure you stay and help with this task; it usually only takes an additional half hour to get everything taken down and put away.   

Whether you realize it or not, it is noticed by others if there are tasks to be completed and you are hanging out in your car or standing around before or after a match, or if you are bailing out on your squad as soon as you are done shooting your last stage. 

Have any questions about these etiquette rules? Please ask us at your next match. You can also drop us questions, or suggestions for future blog articles at info@magiccityactionshooters.org.

What is Chronograph?

If you are a shooter new to USPSA matches, or have been around for a while but have not attended a major match, you might wonder what is meant when you hear someone say “I didn’t make major at Chrono” or “I got bumped to Open at Chrono”.  So, what is this mysterious “Chrono”?

At most major matches, one of the official match stages will be a chronograph stop.  At the chrono stage, several things are taking place and it is important for shooters to understand the steps.  The first, and most obvious, is that the chrono officer will shoot your firearm and your ammunition to determine the bullet velocity.  That is only part of the equation to determine power factor; the other is bullet weight so the officer will also pull one of your bullets to weigh it on a calibrated scale.  If you fail to make your declared power factor your scores for the entire match will be adjusted accordingly.  The complete chrono process for verifying your power factor can be found in Appendix C2 of the USPSA rules.

The other part of the chrono stage is to evaluate your equipment to determine that your firearm, magazines, holster, and magazine pouches meet the requirement of the division that you declared.  Single Stack and Production pistols, with an empty magazine inserted, must fit into a box of a certain size; the chrono officer will place your firearm in an official box to verify that it complies.  Single Stack, Production, and Carry Optics pistols have maximum weight restrictions, and those firearms will be weighed to ensure that they are not too heavy.  Production and Carry Optics pistols need to be of a make and model that is on the official USPSA list, and the chrono officer will check your firearm against this list; the firearm will also be inspected for prohibited modifications.  Limited, Limited-10, Open, and Carry Optics magazines have a maximum length requirement; the chrono officer will check your magazines against an official magazine gauge to determine that they comply.  If your firearm or magazines fail any of these tests, your scores will be moved to Open division for the match (if you’re already shooting in Open division and your magazines are too long you will shoot the match for no score); this is described in Rule 6.2.5.1.  While a PCC is not subject to many equipment restrictions, it is still necessary for PCC shooters to report to the chrono stage for ammunition verification and the chrono officer will inspect things like your stock and trigger.

At major matches, the range officers on your first stage of the match will check the location of your holster and magazine pouches to determine that their location and distance from the belt complies with any Division-related requirements.  However, it is possible that the chrono officer will make these checks as well.  The penalty for non-compliance with the rules regarding this equipment can be found in Rule 5.2.5.2.

When you report to the chrono stage, take one empty magazine for the chrono officer to measure and to use when shooting your ammunition (if you are shooting in Open division, bring an empty big stick).  Your ammunition will most likely be collected during the first stage of the match so in most cases you will not need to bring ammunition to the chrono stage.  Remember to listen to the Written Stage Briefing (yes, chrono has its own WSB) and follow the directions of the chrono officers.  Chrono is an official match stage and is often the most important stage of the match.  As an official match stage, all of the safety and gun handling rules apply and it is possible to be disqualified.  In addition, while it is unlikely that a local monthly match will have a chronograph stage, your equipment is still subject to the rules and can be checked by a range official.

All of the current USPSA rule books can be found here: https://uspsa.org/rules.

Thanks for reading, and if you have a question that you would like to have answered in this space, please email us at info@magiccityactionshooters.org.

When Should You Ask For a Popper to be Calibrated?

There seems to be some confusion about what is the responsibility of the competitor and what is the responsibility of the range officer or range master when it comes to popper calibration.  In the event that you shoot at, and hit, a popper but it does not fall, it is your responsibility as the competitor to challenge the calibration of the popper.  The range officer’s responsibility is to ensure that the score is correct; it is up to you to request calibration if a popper failed to fall.  If you fail to call for calibration for a popper that was left standing, that popper will be scored as a miss.

What is meant by calibration?  Poppers are different than cardboard targets in that they directly challenge the power factor of the ammunition being used (power is the “V” – Latin vis – in “DVC”).  During stage setup, and periodically throughout the match, steel poppers are adjusted to ensure that they are “light” enough to fall with a properly-placed hit by a minor power factor round but are also “heavy” enough that they don’t fall with a slight change in wind speed or direction.  Due to the shock and vibration associated with being shot, the adjustment mechanism for the popper can work loose and result in a heavier popper over time.  If you shoot at and hit the popper but it does not fall, it may mean that the popper is out of calibration.  Failure to fall may also be the result of an edge hit, a low hit, or even a miss that you thought was good.

The RO’s responsibility when it comes to calibration challenges is described in Rule 4.3.1.5 and can be summarized to say that there must be visible evidence of a hit to request calibration.  Painting poppers between shooters is required at Level 2 and higher matches and is recommended at all matches (beginning in 2022, MCAS is requesting that steel is painted between shooters at all USPSA matches).  If a freshly painted popper does not show evidence of a hit, the RO will deny the request for calibration.

The range master’s responsibility for calibration challenges is described in Appendix C1 of the USPSA rules.  In summary, the RM has dedicated ammunition within a certain power factor range that is used to test the calibration of the steel.  The RM will inspect the popper for obvious malfunction issues and will then shoot the popper with the dedicated ammo under a specified procedure.  If the procedure is properly followed and the popper falls, it will be scored as a miss for the competitor; if it does not fall the competitor will be required to reshoot the stage after the popper is adjusted.

Thanks for reading, and if you have a question that you would like to have answered in this space, please email us at info@magiccityactionshooters.org.

2018 Greater Yellowstone Section Championship Match Sponsors

We will be sharing our match sponsors as they come in below.  Please show them your appreciation by shopping with them!

Beartooth Guns. Dave Roan, the owner of Beartooth Guns has been a huge supporter of Magic City Action Shooters for years. We are grateful for his continued support of our GYS Championship Match! Without Dave, we wouldn’t get to do the fun end of the year prizes that we have, nor would we have such amazing prizes on the prize table this year for the Section Championship!

Babes With Bullets. Babes holds camps to teach ladies more about competitive shooting. It is a great opportunity for any lady, new to shooting, or competing in shooting sports for years!

Starline Brass. Starline has been generous to donate to our section championship everytime we have asked! Thank you Starline!

Vortex Optics. Looking for an amazing optic for your rifle? Check out Vortex!

Dillon Precision. Need a new reloading press? Look no further than Dillon Precision, they are top of the line!

Gun Goddess. Looking for something for the lady shooter in your life? Check out the great products from Gun Goddess. Clothing, concealed carry purses, jelwery, rifle hand guards, and more!

Trophy Case Awards and Specialties. Thank you to our friend, Al Roy, for his kindness and hard work on the awards for the GYS Championship!

Trijicon. Excellence in rifle scopes. If you don’t have one….you should.