Steel Challenge

Upcoming matches

11 events matching this sport’s disciplines. Discipline does not establish league affiliation. Coverage is partial; confirm dates and registration with the organizer.

1. Oct 22, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Thursday Evening Steel Challenge (session 16 of 17)TGC Bay's 1-6, 3924 FM 438 Loop Rd, Temple, TX 76501
   TX calendar →
2. Oct 24, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Low Country Steel ChallengeLow Country SCSA (SCSA430), 466 Indigo Flats E, Tabor City, NC
   NC calendar →
3. Oct 28, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Tampa Bay Steel Challenge Practice MatchGun Craft, 2102 24th St. S.E., Ruskin, FL 33570
   FL calendar →
4. Oct 29, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Thursday Evening Steel Challenge (session 17 of 17)TGC Bay's 1-6, 3924 FM 438 Loop Rd, Temple, TX 76501
   TX calendar →
5. Nov 21, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   3rd Saturday Steel Challenge (session 5 of 100)TGC Bay's 1-6, 3924 FM 438 Loop Rd, Temple, TX 76501
   TX calendar →
6. Nov 21, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Steel Challenge (Midway, FL)Talon Range, 550 Commerce Blvd, Midway, FL 32343
   FL calendar →

How a match works

1. Register, attend the safety briefing, walk the stages, then shoot with your squad. The official newcomer walkthrough finishes with match tear-down and clean-up. [27]
2. Each stage has a written briefing covering its scoring method, firearm ready condition, start position and procedure. A competitor can ask a range official to read it before starting. [10]
3. Wait for “Make ready” before preparing your firearm under the range officer’s supervision. Centerfire handguns start loaded and holstered, with wrists and hands above the shoulders. Rimfire and PCC entries start aimed at the downrange marker, with the finger outside the trigger guard. [10] [11]
4. “Are you ready?” means the officer is checking that you understand the stage and are ready. Say “Not ready” if you are not. “Stand by” is followed by the audible start signal within 1 to 4 seconds. The next string begins with “Are you ready?” again; “Prepare for your next string” is an optional command. [32]
5. A string is one timed attempt at the stage. Four plates are standard plates; the fifth is the stop plate. Each standard plate must be hit before the stop plate to avoid a miss penalty. Extra shots are allowed. [3]
6. Shoot five strings, or four on Outer Limits, then discard the worst. Showdown requires three strings from one box and two from the other; Outer Limits includes movement to the middle box on the clock. Appeal a missed-plate call at the end of that string, before the next starts. [3] [5] [4]
7. After the final string, listen for “If you are finished, unload and show clear.” The officer inspects the unloaded firearm. Finish commands differ: “If clear, hammer down, holster” for centerfire self-loading handguns; “If clear, cylinder closed, holster” for revolvers; and “If clear, hammer down, flag” for PCC. For rimfire pistols the officer may say “If clear, bag,” and for rimfire rifles “If clear, flag.” Follow the officer’s instructions for your firearm. “Range is clear” ends the stage. [33]
8. After shooting each stage, verify your recorded score. If using electronic scoring, review the times before saving and personally tap its approval button. [4]
9. Stage totals are added for the match score. The lowest total time determines the order of finish. [3]

Where to compete

Find a nearby club by address, zip code, county or state. SCSA’s match finder has separate local and championship views. Contact the match director before attending your first match. [25] [26] [27]

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

Run a club? Affiliate a club ↗

Your first match

1. Find a local SCSA match. Use SCSA’s club finder with your address, zip code, county or state, then open its match finder. Local matches and championships have separate lists, calendars and maps. [25] [26]
2. Contact the match director before attending. Tell the match director this is your first match before attending. The official newcomer guidance notes that experienced squads often help new competitors through it. [27]
3. Provide your membership number if you are a member. Current USPSA/SCSA members must enter a valid membership number when registering for any sanctioned match, including Level I. The policy does not require non-members to supply a number unless the match’s sanctioning rules require it. [45]
4. Check the equipment rules for your entry. Use the September 2026 SCSA rulebook and the relevant Appendix D. Check the firearm and sights, centerfire holster requirements, rimfire transport, and rifle chamber flags. [2] [12] [20] [21] [23]
5. Read the match’s fee and arrival requirements. Host requirements matter. CMP’s Match Tracker page, for example, publishes first- and second-gun fees, requires a valid CMP Safety Card, and says someone who misses its safety briefing cannot shoot. Use the host’s instructions for the match you enter. [29]
6. Attend the briefing and ask about each stage. Ask staff where firearm-handling and unloading areas are. Read the written stage briefing or ask a range official to read it. Know the start position and range commands before your first string; say “Not ready” if you are not ready. [9] [10] [32]
7. Review your score and join the clean-up. Verify your recorded score. If scoring is electronic, review the times before saving and personally approve the score. The official newcomer walkthrough finishes with match tear-down and clean-up. [4] [27]

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.

A firearm that fits your declared divisionRequired

Declare your division before the match and check its Appendix D restrictions. Rimfire is .22 LR only; PCC has separate accepted-caliber and equipment rules. [39] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Eye and hearing protectionRequired

SCSA requires both for competitors and spectators. [9]

Ammunition for the listed matchRequired

The rules require safe, serviceable ammunition appropriate for the firearm. In U.S. centerfire competition, the minimum cartridge is 38 Special/9X19; rimfire must be .22 LR. Magnum and multiple-projectile loads are not allowed. [13]

Magazines, speed-loaders or other loading devicesRequired

Arrive at the line ready to shoot. Someone else may reload magazines for a competitor with fewer than 5; magazine pouches are not mandatory. [13]

Waist-mounted holster for centerfire handgunsRequired

For a centerfire handgun entry, the holster must cover the trigger and retain the gun. Drawing from concealment or inside the waistband is not allowed. Rimfire competition does not use a holster draw. [12]

Rimfire handgun transport case or holsterRequired

For rimfire pistol and provisional rimfire revolver entries, transport the unloaded handgun in a closed case or holster until “Make ready.” [12] [20] [22]

Long-gun transport case, scabbard or suitable cartRequired

Rimfire rifles and PCCs have specific transport requirements. A case or scabbard is the preferred method; the rules also permit suitable “3-gun Carts.” [12]

Chamber flag for a rimfire rifle or PCCRequired

Required during transport, including inside a closed case. The rifle’s bolt must be closed on the flag. [12]

Speed-loader for a rimfire revolver at Level II–IVRequired

For provisional rimfire revolver entries, speed-loader usage is recommended at Level I and mandatory at Level II–IV. [22]

What it costs

One host’s local match fees

CMP Talladega’s Match Tracker Steel Challenge page lists $25.00 for your first gun and $10.00 for a second gun. These are that match’s posted fees, not a sport-wide entry price. [29]

Membership and classification

Membership is recommended at Level I. Level II and higher require USPSA/SCSA membership or current membership in your IPSC region. Active USPSA/SCSA membership is needed for an SCSA classification. [6] [8]

How scoring works

Your score is elapsed time plus any penalties. Keep the best four of five strings on each stage, or the best three of four on Outer Limits, and add those stage scores. Lowest total time wins. [3]

• Standard plates must each be hit at least once before the stop plate. There is no fixed shot limit for a string: competitors may fire as many rounds as they deem necessary. [3]
• A string cannot score more than 30 seconds, even after misses or penalties. If the stop plate is not hit, that string scores 30 seconds. [3]
• The match uses sound-actuated shot timers, and hits are scored visually. The timer records the last shot fired; it is not backed up for extra shots on or after the stop plate. [3]

Divisions and classes

Open (OPN)

Centerfire handgun division that allows optical sights, compensators and barrel ports. [14] [13]

Limited (LTD)

Centerfire handgun division without optical sights, compensators or barrel ports. [14] [13]

Limited Optics (LO)

Requires an optic attached directly to the slide, not the frame. Compensators and barrel ports are not allowed; Appendix D10 does not require a specifically approved handgun model. [19]

Production (PROD)

Handguns on the approved Production list with notch-and-post iron sights; no compensators or barrel ports. Maximum 15 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal. Appendix D4 also restricts handgun size, weight, holsters and modifications; being on the approved list is not the only requirement. [15]

Single Stack (SS)

1911 production-type pistols based on the original John M. Browning design, with metal frames and traditional single-stack magazines. Notch-and-post iron sights and a 10-round maximum ammunition capacity; no compensators or barrel ports. Appendix D5 contains the full equipment restrictions. [16]

Carry Optics (CO)

Handguns approved for Carry Optics with a required slide-mounted optic. Frame-mounted optics, compensators and barrel ports are not allowed. Appendix D7 also limits magazine length, weight, holsters and modifications. [18]

Iron Sight Revolver (ISR)

Centerfire revolvers without optical sights, compensators or barrel ports. [17] [13]

Optical Sight Revolver (OSR)

Centerfire revolvers; optical sights, compensators and barrel ports are permitted. [17] [13]

Rimfire Pistol Iron (RFPI)

.22 Long Rifle pistols without optical sights. Compensators are permitted; suppressors are prohibited. [20]

Rimfire Pistol Open (RFPO)

.22 Long Rifle pistols with optical sights permitted. Compensators are permitted; suppressors are prohibited. [20]

Rimfire Rifle Iron (RFRI)

.22 Long Rifle rifles without optical sights. Compensators are permitted; suppressors are prohibited. [21]

Rimfire Rifle Open (RFRO)

.22 Long Rifle rifles with optical sights permitted. Compensators are permitted; suppressors are prohibited. [21]

PCC Iron (PCCI)

Pistol caliber carbines without optical sights. A stock is required; compensators and muzzle brakes are allowed, but suppressors are not. Maximum velocity is 1600 FPS. [23]

PCC Optics (PCCO)

Pistol caliber carbines with optical sights permitted. A stock is required; compensators and muzzle brakes are allowed, but suppressors are not. Maximum velocity is 1600 FPS. [23]

Rimfire Revolver Irons (RRI) — provisional

.22 Long Rifle revolvers without optical sights. Compensators and barrel ports are not allowed. Appendix D11 labels the division provisional. [22]

Rimfire Revolver Optics (RRO) — provisional

.22 Long Rifle revolvers with optical sights permitted. Compensators and barrel ports are not allowed. Appendix D11 labels the division provisional. [22]

Classification

A division groups firearms; a class groups performance. Active USPSA/SCSA members need at least 4 of the 8 official stages in a division to be classified. Your best time on each stage counts. Divide the total peak stage time by your total stage time to get your percentage: GM at least 95%, M at least 85%, A at least 75%, B at least 60%, C at least 40%, and D at least 0%. Recalculation is early Wednesday AM each week; your percentage can fall, but your earned class cannot. This system is independent of USPSA classification. Match activity fees must be paid by the host club before stages count; stages with a default 30 seconds on every string are excluded as did-not-finish scores. [7] [8] [39]

Safety rules

• The range is cold: keep firearms unloaded except on the firing line under a match official’s supervision. If you arrive with a loaded carry firearm, use the designated unloading/loading station; if none is provided, go immediately to a match official for supervised unloading. Do not unload it yourself in a Safety Area. [9] [34]
• Handle firearms only under range-officer instructions or in designated areas. Do not handle live or dummy ammunition, snap caps, empty cases, loaded magazines or loaded speed-loaders in a Safety Area. Ammunition may remain stored on your belt, in your pockets or in your bag there; do not remove it from its storage device. [9] [35]
• If you hear “Stop,” immediately cease firing, stop moving and wait for instructions. A disqualification means no more shooting for the rest of the event, including later days; completed match scores still stand, but all simultaneously active entries are disqualified. [32] [38]
• For juniors, the rules require a parent or guardian throughout the competition; a competing parent or guardian must be in the same squad. Both must sign the liability waiver. [24]
• Disqualification examples include pointing a firearm uprange past the 180-degree line, leaving the firing line with a loaded firearm, and handling a firearm without supervision outside designated areas. Deliberately removing a chamber flag without the officer’s command and supervision is also a violation. [35]
• Dropping a firearm during a course of fire is a disqualification, loaded or unloaded. Dropping an unloaded firearm outside a course of fire is not itself an infraction, but retrieving it without supervision is. Leave any dropped firearm for a range officer to retrieve. [36]
• Keep the finger outside the trigger guard during loading, unloading, reloading, malfunction clearance and equipment adjustments. During movement, this is required except while actually aiming or shooting at targets. Firing while loading, unloading, reloading or correcting a malfunction is grounds for disqualification; rule 10.4.1 excepts a deliberate clearing shot under range-officer supervision. [37]

Match levels and major events

• Level I — local. At least 2 official stages must be used; membership is recommended. [6]
• Level II — state. A match may use only 6 of the 8 stages, omitting only Outer Limits and Speed Option because of distance limitations. A match called an SCSA state championship must be Level II or above. [6]
• Level III — regional or national. All 8 official stages must be used. Regional and national championships must be Level III or above. [6]
• Level IV — world championship. Only scores shot at the World Championship can be recognized as world records. [6]

Major events

World Speed Shooting Championship ↗

June 9-13, 2027, at CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Alabama. USPSA’s announcement says registration dates, briefings and slot allocations will follow; it does not establish available entry slots. [30]

2026 South Carolina State Steel Challenge Championship ↗

SCSA lists October 15-18, 2026, hosted by Mid-carolina Rifle Club. Open the official listing’s event details for registration information; a scheduled date does not confirm available entries. [44]

Area 4 Steel Challenge 2026 Championship ↗

SCSA lists October 30-November 1, 2026, hosted by Corpus Christi Gun Club in Corpus Christi, Texas. Use the official event details to check registration. [44]

Common questions

Glossary

String

One timed attempt at a stage. [3]

Stage

A course of fire with five plates and repeated strings whose counting times produce a stage score. [3]

Stop plate

The designated plate to hit after all four standard plates. [3]

Miss

A standard plate not hit before the stop plate; it adds 3 seconds to the string. [3]

Division

An equipment grouping, such as Rimfire Pistol Iron or Carry Optics. [39] [7]

Class

A performance classification from D through GM, separate from equipment division. [7]

Peak stage time (PST)

The benchmark stage time used in the classification calculation. Each stage and division has its own PST. [8] [31]

Range officer (RO)

The official who issues range commands, oversees stage requirements and safe actions, and declares time scores and penalties. [31]

Cold range

A match range where firearms stay unloaded except on the firing line under a match official’s direct supervision. [9]

PCC

Pistol caliber carbine: a stocked carbine using an accepted pistol caliber, entered in PCCI or PCCO. [23]

Match and event

A match is a contest within an event; an event can contain one or more matches. [31]

Category

Recognition based on personal characteristics such as age or occupation, separate from firearm division and performance class. A competitor can enter more than one qualifying category. [39] [40]

Low ready

The rimfire and PCC start: aim at the downrange marker with the finger outside the trigger guard. For rifles and PCCs, both hands are on the firearm and the buttstock is seated on the shoulder. [11] [42]

Compensator

A device or firearm feature that diverts gases for purposes including countering muzzle rise. The definition includes barrel porting, muzzle brakes, suppressors and slide porting that acts as a compensator, but excludes internally redirected gas operating systems. [43]

Loaded firearm

For these rules, a firearm with a live round, empty case or dummy round in its chamber or cylinder, or a live or dummy round in a magazine inserted in it. [43]

Chamber flag

The flag required in rimfire rifles and PCCs during transport. The bolt must be closed on it, whether the firearm is cased or on a permitted cart. [12] [33]

Shooting box

A small shooting area formed by four connected fault lines. Most stages have one; Showdown and Outer Limits have more than one. [43] [5]

Rimfire entry

In SCSA, a .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) pistol, rifle or provisional revolver entry. Other rimfire cartridges and powderless cartridges are not allowed. [13] [22]

Centerfire entry

The handgun and PCC groups separate from .22 LR rimfire. In U.S. centerfire competition, SCSA specifies a minimum cartridge of 38 Special/9X19; PCC uses its listed accepted calibers. [13] [23] [20]

Optics and irons

The sight distinction in SCSA divisions: optical/electronic sights versus non-optical sights. Production and Single Stack require notch-and-post sights. [14] [15] [16] [20]

Watch and read

• Official USPSA and Steel Challenge newcomer videos ↗Page · United States Practical Shooting Association
• Current SCSA rulebook, including stage diagrams ↗Page · Steel Challenge Shooting Association / USPSA
• Searchable Steel Challenge rules ↗Page · United States Practical Shooting Association
• Official SCSA match results ↗Page · Steel Challenge Shooting Association
• SCSA classification lookup and peak stage times ↗Page · Steel Challenge Shooting Association

Related sports

• Practical shooting (USPSA)
• IDPA defensive pistol
• ICORE revolver competition
• NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup)
• GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation
• 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]
   Steel Challenge Shooting Associationscsa.org
2. [2]
   SCSA Competition Rules, September 2026storage.uspsa.org
3. [3]
   SCSA rules 9.1–9.5: time, strings and missesstorage.uspsa.org
4. [4]
   SCSA rules 9.3 and 9.7: reviewing scoresstorage.uspsa.org
5. [5]
   SCSA rules 2.2 and Appendix B: standard stagesstorage.uspsa.org
6. [6]
   SCSA Appendix A1 and rule 6.1: match levels and membershipstorage.uspsa.org
7. [7]
   SCSA classification system: percentages, classes and stage listscsa.org
8. [8]
   SCSA Appendix A4: eligibility for classificationstorage.uspsa.org
9. [9]
   SCSA rules 1.1, 1.2 and 2.4: range requirementsstorage.uspsa.org
10. [10]
    SCSA rules 3.2 and 8.3: stage briefings and range commandsstorage.uspsa.org
11. [11]
    SCSA rule 8.2 and Appendix D11: starting positionsstorage.uspsa.org
12. [12]
    SCSA rules 5.1 and 8.3.8: holsters, cases and chamber flagsstorage.uspsa.org
13. [13]
    SCSA rules 5.3 and 5.5: ammunition and loading devicesstorage.uspsa.org
14. [14]
    SCSA Appendices D1 and D2: Open and Limitedstorage.uspsa.org
15. [15]
    SCSA Appendix D4: Productionstorage.uspsa.org
16. [16]
    SCSA Appendix D5: Single Stackstorage.uspsa.org
17. [17]
    SCSA Appendix D6: centerfire revolverstorage.uspsa.org
18. [18]
    SCSA Appendix D7: Carry Opticsstorage.uspsa.org
19. [19]
    SCSA Appendix D10: Limited Opticsstorage.uspsa.org
20. [20]
    SCSA Appendix D3: rimfire pistolstorage.uspsa.org
21. [21]
    SCSA Appendix D9: rimfire riflestorage.uspsa.org
22. [22]
    SCSA Appendix D11: provisional rimfire revolverstorage.uspsa.org
23. [23]
    SCSA Appendix D8: pistol caliber carbinestorage.uspsa.org
24. [24]
    SCSA Appendix A2: junior and pre-teen categoriesstorage.uspsa.org
25. [25]
    Find a local SCSA clubscsa.org
26. [26]
    Find SCSA matchesscsa.org
27. [27]
    USPSA New Member Experience: your first matchtheuspsa.com
28. [28]
    USPSA introduces the New Member Experienceuspsa.org
29. [29]
    CMP Talladega Match Tracker Steel Challenge matchesthecmp.org
30. [30]
    USPSA announces the 2027 national championship scheduleuspsa.org
31. [31]
    SCSA Appendix A3: glossarystorage.uspsa.org
32. [32]
    SCSA rules 8.3.2–8.3.6: ready, start and stop commandsstorage.uspsa.org
33. [33]
    SCSA rules 8.3.7–8.3.10: clearing and finishing the stagestorage.uspsa.org
34. [34]
    SCSA rule 1.1: arriving with a loaded firearmstorage.uspsa.org
35. [35]
    SCSA rules 10.3.1, 10.3.2, 10.3.4 and 10.3.10: safety disqualificationsstorage.uspsa.org
36. [36]
    SCSA rules 10.3.3 and 10.3.5: dropped firearmsstorage.uspsa.org
37. [37]
    SCSA rules 8.5.1, 10.3.8 and 10.4.1–10.4.2: trigger and discharge safetystorage.uspsa.org
38. [38]
    SCSA rule 10.2: what a disqualification endsstorage.uspsa.org
39. [39]
    SCSA rules 6.3 and 6.4: declaring divisions and categoriesstorage.uspsa.org
40. [40]
    SCSA Appendix A2.1: category eligibilitystorage.uspsa.org
41. [41]
    SCSA Appendix A2.2: Steel Master, Rifle Master and Rimfire Masterstorage.uspsa.org
42. [42]
    SCSA Appendices D8 and D9: rifle and PCC low readystorage.uspsa.org
43. [43]
    SCSA Appendix A3: compensator, loaded firearm and shooting boxstorage.uspsa.org
44. [44]
    SCSA upcoming major matches: October 2026scsa.org
45. [45]
    Mandatory membership number requirement at sanctioned matchesscsa.org

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