ICORE revolver competition

How a match works

1. The match director handles squadding, scheduling and overall match administration. [17]
2. At each stage, the range officer reads the written stage briefing to the squad, which may ask questions afterward. The briefing specifies the starting position, procedure, scoring type, targets, round count, signals, penalties and walk-through time. [7]
3. Stages can specify reloads, target order, firing positions and firing styles. Shots Limited stages cap the shots per target; Shots Unlimited stages do not. Par Time stages have a maximum time and their own published scoring conditions. [7] [8]
4. The range officer uses fixed commands: “Make ready,” “Are you ready?” and “Stand by,” then the start signal, most often from an electronic timer. After shooting: “If you are finished, unload and show clear,” “If clear, close cylinder, holster,” and “Range is clear.” If an officer calls “STOP!”, stop immediately and wait for instructions. Every stage must be presented the same way to all competitors. [34] [7]
5. After the range officer declares the range clear, the competitor or delegate may accompany the scoring officer to verify targets. Scoring challenges must be made before the target is painted, patched or reset; each shooter is responsible for reviewing and approving the score. [9]
6. Regional matches and the International Revolver Championship also have a mandatory chronograph stage, where officials inspect division compliance, equipment condition and ammunition power factor. [12]

Where to compete

The official directory lists active affiliated clubs and links their details and websites for local opportunities. The event schedule covers Regionals, the International Postal Match and the IRC, not a complete calendar of local club matches. [25] [26]

• ICORE match finder ↗
• ICORE club finder ↗
• Find a shooting range

No upcoming events for this sport are listed here. Check the official match finder; our coverage is not a complete schedule.

Your first match

1. Find a club and its next match. Choose an active affiliated club and check its linked website for the next local match. [25]
2. Tell the host you are new. For questions, ICORE points you to a club representative, the match director of a scheduled event, or a board member. One club’s example: Mill Creek asks for advance notice and pairs new shooters with an experienced competitor after a safety briefing. Ask your host what it offers. [1] [30]
3. Check your division and equipment. Check section 6 of the January 28, 2026 rulebook: ports or an optical sight mean Open; otherwise you may shoot Limited. A six-shot may also choose Limited 6, Classic (speed loaders only, no moon clips) or Big 6 (.40 caliber or greater, 155 power factor). Check eye and ear protection, holster, belt and loaders; read section 11 if entering rimfire. [2] [4] [3] [13] [15]
4. Confirm membership and the host’s fee. Ask the host about its entry fee and whether your match requires current membership; requirements differ outside Regionals and the IRC. [14]
5. Attend the briefing and review your score. The stage briefing sets the procedure, scoring method and round count, so ask the range officer any questions after it is read. You are responsible for checking and approving your scoring; any target-scoring challenge must be made before the target is reset. [7] [9]

Never fired a gun at a range? Start with your first range visit.

What to bring

Bring eye and hearing protection to your first match, even where a league only recommends it. Check the host’s requirements before you arrive.

Division-eligible revolverRequired

Standard ICORE requires .32 caliber or greater; rimfire is the exception. Revolvers and related equipment must be in safe condition and are subject to official inspection and approval. [3] [15]

Eye and ear protectionRequired

ICORE requires both for competitors and spectators while participating in or viewing events. [13]

Secure belt holsterRequired

For standard ICORE, the belt-attached holster must securely hold the revolver, cover the trigger guard and prevent access to the trigger. The heel of the butt may not sit below the belt’s bottom, except on duty or single-action rigs. Only single-action rigs may use tie-downs. Rimfire does not require a holster; if one is used, rule 6.3 applies. [3] [15]

Gun beltRequired

The equipment rules require a belt strong enough to safely hold the holster and loaders, worn about the waist; women may wear it at hipbone level. [3]

Loaders and belt-mounted holdersRequired

Bring enough loaders and belt-attached holders for the stage. Initial loading at “Make ready” may use pockets; reloads must come from the belt unless the written stage briefing directs otherwise. Classic permits speed loaders only, not moon clips. Rimfire does not require loader holders. [3] [4] [15]

Ammunition meeting the match rulesRequired

At the chronograph, at least one of five rounds must reach a 120 power factor (155 for Big 6). If none does, the seventh collected round may be weighed or fired at the competitor’s choice, using the heaviest bullet weight. If no fired round meets the minimum, 360 seconds is added to the score. Factory loads listed in Appendix 3 may be used without regard for power factor, but their shooters still complete the chronograph stage for equipment and safety inspection. [12]

What it costs

Adult ICORE membership

$30.00/year. [19]

Junior ICORE membership

Free for juniors under 18. [19]

When membership is required

Required for Regional Championships and the IRC. For other ICORE matches, the rulebook says membership may or may not be required at the Board’s discretion. The 2026 postal-match instructions explicitly say current membership is not required. [14] [29]

Local fee example: Mill Creek

The club’s published fee is “$15 Member Match Fee for the 1st Revolver, $10 for a 2nd Revolver.” This is a Mill Creek fee, not a price for every ICORE match. [30]

How scoring works

ICORE uses total-time scoring: the accumulated time of all runs, plus target scoring, penalties and/or bonuses, becomes the final stage time. Accuracy changes that time directly; a B-zone hit adds 1 second in every standard division except Big 6, where it adds zero. [5]

• The official paper targets are the ICORE or NRA D-1 and AP-1. The rulebook says the NRA D-1 and NRA AP-1 are not interchangeable, and the NRA AP-1 may not be used for classifiers. A hit touching a D-1 perforation or AP-1 scoring line receives the better score. [10] [5]
• Steel scoring follows the written stage briefing. Knockdown targets must be knocked down to score as hits. A standing-steel stage may also use a stop plate; failure to hit a stop plate adds 30 seconds. [5] [6]
• On Shots Limited stages, each extra shot and each extra hit adds 5 seconds; Shots Unlimited stages have no such penalty. [6] [8]
• Failure to Engage adds 5 seconds per required target engagement omitted. It does not apply to targets left unengaged because Par Time expired, or to steel left unengaged after a stop plate was hit out of order on a standing steel-only stage. [6]
• The X-ring may be used for bonus scoring only when the written stage briefing designates it. Otherwise, X-ring hits score as A-zone hits. [11]

Divisions and classes

Classic

A Limited revolver with a cylinder containing only six chambers, using speed loaders only. Moon clips are prohibited. The 2026 revision deletes the former Classic barrel and weight restrictions. [4] [2]

Limited

No compensating, venting or metering ports, and no optical sight. The Limited rule does not impose the six-chamber requirement found in Limited 6. [4]

Limited 6

Meets Limited requirements and has a cylinder with only six chambers. Unlike Classic, its division rule does not prohibit moon clips. [4]

Open

A revolver must compete in Open if it has compensating, venting or metering ports of any kind, or an optical sight, including telescopic or red-dot sights. [4]

Big 6

Meets Limited requirements, has a cylinder with only six chambers, is .40 caliber or greater, and has a minimum power factor of 155. B-zone hits add zero seconds rather than 1 second. Big 6 requires a unique classification. [4] [5]

ICORE Rimfire

A separate rimfire option, run on its own or alongside standard ICORE matches. The .32-caliber minimum does not apply, and holsters and loader holders are not required. All shooters compete in one class, “heads up”; rimfire classifier scores are not submitted. [15]

Classification

Divisions describe equipment; classes describe classifier performance. Scores are percentages of each stage’s reference (best) score in the division; club reps submit them through ICORE’s website. Classic, Limited, Limited 6 and Open use: G (Grand Master), 95–100%; M (Master), 85–94.999%; A, 75–84.999%; B, 60–74.999%; C, 45–59.999%; D, 0–44.999%. Big 6 requires its own classification; rimfire shooters are not classified. [24] [20] [21] [4] [15] [37]

Safety rules

• On ICORE’s cold range, all revolvers must be unloaded. Unloaded firearms may be handled only in designated safe areas or under range-officer direction; loading and unloading require range-officer direction. Absolutely no ammunition or dummy rounds may be handled in a safe area. Follow the host’s briefing and range officers. [13] [33]
• Every new shooter must be cleared by the match director or another appointed person as having basic firearms and safety knowledge and being able to use it safely in competition. [13]
• Competitors and spectators must wear eye and ear protection and obey range officers. The rulebook specifies disqualification for failing to follow range officers on competition and safety rules. [13]
• Disqualification applies to breaking the 180 boundary separating uprange from downrange; accidental discharges within 10 feet (3 meters) while reloading or between shooting areas, or in an unsafe direction; losing control of or dropping a firearm during the course of fire; and unsafe gun handling. Unsafe handling includes a finger on the trigger while reloading or moving, unless engaging available targets. The range master has final authority over the 180 boundary. [32]
• If an unloaded firearm is dropped behind the firing line, a range officer must pick it up, check it and return it safely. A dropped firearm found loaded results in disqualification. [32]

Match levels and major events

• Affiliated clubs offer local practice and competition. Follow the directory’s club links for local match information. [25]
• Regional Championships must include at least eight stages, with exactly one ICORE classifier for every eight stages. The required chronograph stage is additional. [22]
• The International Revolver Championship is ICORE’s annual premier event. [23]
• The International Postal Match lets clubs run the published stages locally and submit results for a combined match. The 2026 instructions require all four stages and permit clubs to split them across different days if necessary. [29]

Major events

International Revolver Championship (IRC) ↗

ICORE’s annual premier event. The 2026 IRC was held July 30 to August 2, 2026, hosted by Minnesota ICORE. [23] [27]

ICORE Regional Championships ↗

The 2026 calendar listed Regionals across U.S. regions and Canada; its last listed Regional was the Eastern Regional on October 3 at Triangle ICORE. Southwest was canceled. As of October 4, the 2027 calendar has no events listed. Check the schedule for new editions and host details. [26] [39]

International Postal Match (IPM) ↗

ICORE’s annual policy window starts near July 1 and ends December 31, with a possible extension through the next Sunday; results are due within seven days of the end date. The 2026 instructions print inconsistent end and deadline years: confirm this edition’s dates with the host or IPM director. The event page links stages, photos and a PractiScore template. Your first entry per division counts, except a second entry using a snubby. [35] [36] [28] [29]

Common questions

Glossary

Division

An equipment category: Classic, Limited, Limited 6, Open or Big 6. ICORE Rimfire has separate provisions. [4] [15]

Class / U

A member’s classification from classifier results. U means Unclassified: fewer than four unique classifier stages on file. [20]

Classifier

A standardized stage used to classify ICORE shooters. Classifiers must be set up exactly to their specified dimensions. [24] [7]

Written stage briefing (WSB)

The required stage description, read to the squad by the range officer, setting the start, procedure, targets, round count, scoring and signals. [7]

Shots Limited / Shots Unlimited

Shots Limited caps the shots per target during a string or stage. Shots Unlimited does not limit those shots. These are scoring types, not the Limited equipment division. [8] [4]

Par Time

A maximum stage time set by the briefing, which also states whether actual shooting time or the par time is recorded and any hit or unhit-target adjustments. [8]

Power factor (PF)

Bullet weight in grains multiplied by velocity in feet per second, measured by a chronograph, divided by 1000. The chronograph standard is 120, or 155 for Big 6. [12]

No-shoot

A target marked as non-engageable. Only full-bullet-diameter hits count as penalties. [10]

Range master (RM)

The official with authority over range activities, range safety, courses of fire and application of the rules. [17]

Match director (MD)

The official responsible for overall match administration, including squadding, scheduling, range construction, support staff and services. [17]

Snubby

A special recognition category for a revolver with a barrel of 3 inches or less and no optics. It is not a separate equipment division. [16] [4]

Heads up

One class for all shooters, as required for ICORE Rimfire, rather than separate skill classifications. [15]

Range officer (RO)

The official who gives the shooter range commands and directs loading and unloading. Follow the range officer’s competition and safety instructions. [34] [13]

Cold range

All revolvers are unloaded. Handling is restricted to safe areas or range-officer direction; ammunition and dummy rounds cannot be handled in safe areas. [33] [13]

Chronograph

The device used to measure bullet velocity for the power-factor calculation. The chronograph stage also checks the revolver and equipment for compliance and safety. [12]

Speed loader

A loader that releases or pushes fresh cartridges into the revolver’s cylinder chambers. Classic requires speed loaders for reloads and prohibits moon clips. [40] [4]

Moon clip

A clip that lets a set of cartridges enter the cylinder together and spent cases eject as one unit. Classic prohibits moon clips. [41] [4]

International Revolver Championship (IRC)

ICORE’s annual premier event. [23]

International Postal Match (IPM)

A shared four-stage match run locally by clubs, whose submitted scores are combined into one match. [29]

Special recognition category (SRC)

Recognition of a competitor’s attributes, separate from equipment divisions. Categories must be declared before the match and verified by officials; Snubby recognizes a revolver’s barrel length and lack of optics. [16] [4]

Stage / course of fire

Each stage has a written briefing and a final stage time. The rulebook defines the course of fire as the period from “Make ready” to “Range is clear.” [7] [5] [33]

D-1 / AP-1

ICORE’s official paper target types, published in ICORE or NRA versions. NRA D-1 and NRA AP-1 are not interchangeable; NRA AP-1 cannot be used for classifiers. [10]

B zone

A paper-target scoring zone: a hit adds 1 second in the standard divisions other than Big 6, where it adds zero. [5]

Watch and read

• Official ICORE classifier stage diagrams ↗Page · ICORE
• 2026 postal match stages and photos ↗Page · ICORE

Related sports

• Practical shooting (USPSA)
• Steel Challenge
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• NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup)
• Cowboy action shooting
• Compare every league

Sources

Facts checked October 4, 2026 against the sources below. Each bracketed number on the page links to its source.

1. [1]
   ICORE history and informationicore.org
2. [2]
   ICORE Rule Book — January 28, 2026 revisionicore.org
3. [3]
   ICORE Rule Book — equipment, rules 6.1–6.5icore.org
4. [4]
   ICORE Rule Book — divisions, rules 6.6–6.10 and 12.1icore.org
5. [5]
   ICORE Rule Book — total-time scoring, rules 7.4–7.4.10icore.org
6. [6]
   ICORE Rule Book — scoring penalties, rule 7.5icore.org
7. [7]
   ICORE Rule Book — start signals and stage briefings, rules 2.4, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7 and 4.8icore.org
8. [8]
   ICORE Rule Book — scoring types, rule 4.6icore.org
9. [9]
   ICORE Rule Book — verifying and approving scores, rules 7.6 and 7.6.1icore.org
10. [10]
    ICORE Rule Book — paper targets and no-shoots, rules 7.1, 7.1.7 and 7.3icore.org
11. [11]
    ICORE Rule Book — target diagram, Appendix 1icore.org
12. [12]
    ICORE Rule Book — ammunition, chronograph and power factor, rules 5.1–5.2.5 and 12.11icore.org
13. [13]
    ICORE Rule Book — safety and newcomer clearance, rules 1.1, 1.2 and 1.8icore.org
14. [14]
    ICORE Rule Book — membership requirements, section 14icore.org
15. [15]
    ICORE Rule Book — rimfire, section 11icore.org
16. [16]
    ICORE Rule Book — special recognition categories, section 3icore.org
17. [17]
    ICORE Rule Book — match officials, rules 12.16 and 12.17icore.org
18. [18]
    ICORE Rule Book — alternatives for props and firing positions, rules 4.4 and 4.5icore.org
19. [19]
    ICORE membership application — pricingicore.org
20. [20]
    Policies and Procedures Manual — classification, Policy 1.0icore.org
21. [21]
    ICORE Policies and Procedures — current editionicore.org
22. [22]
    Policies and Procedures Manual — Regional Championships, Policy 8.0icore.org
23. [23]
    Policies and Procedures Manual — IRC, Policy 4.0icore.org
24. [24]
    Official ICORE classifier stagesicore.org
25. [25]
    ICORE affiliated-club directoryicore.org
26. [26]
    ICORE event schedule — 2026icore.org
27. [27]
    International Revolver Championship — 2026 editionicore.org
28. [28]
    2026 International Postal Match — official resourcesicore.org
29. [29]
    2026 ICORE International Postal Match — instructionsicore.org
30. [30]
    Mill Creek Practical Shooting League — local ICORE first-match guide and feesmcpsl.org
31. [31]
    Mill Creek Practical Shooting League — local round-count examplemcpsl.org
32. [32]
    ICORE Rule Book — disqualification, rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 1.9 and 12.3icore.org
33. [33]
    ICORE Rule Book — cold range and course of fire, rules 12.2 and 12.4icore.org
34. [34]
    ICORE Rule Book — range commands, section 2icore.org
35. [35]
    Policies and Procedures Manual — annual IPM window, Policy 9.3.1icore.org
36. [36]
    2026 ICORE International Postal Match — printed date inconsistenciesicore.org
37. [37]
    Policies and Procedures Manual — classifier references and submission, Policies 1.3.5–1.3.6icore.org
38. [38]
    ICORE Rule Book — multiple division entries, rule 6.11icore.org
39. [39]
    ICORE event schedule — 2027icore.org
40. [40]
    Rapid Reloads For Revolvers — speedloader typesamericanrifleman.org
41. [41]
    Tested: Ruger Super Redhawk 10 mm Revolver — moon clipsamericanrifleman.org

Inclusion is not an endorsement. Send a source or correction.