What is ISSF 10m air rifle?
ISSF 10 metre air rifle is one of the flagship events in international target shooting. Governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), it has been an Olympic sport since the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Athletes fire a 4.5 mm (.177 calibre) air rifle at a bullseye target placed exactly 10 metres away — all from the standing position.
Despite its deceptively simple setup, 10m air rifle demands extraordinary hold stability, trigger discipline, and mental focus. It is one of the most accessible ISSF disciplines to try — you only need an indoor 10-metre range and an air rifle — yet the skill ceiling is enormous. Top competitors routinely average above 10.5 per shot, meaning they land virtually every pellet inside the 1 mm-wide centre dot of the target.
If you are new to the sport, this guide walks you through everything: the course of fire, how scoring works, the qualification-to-finals format, equipment rules, and practical advice for entering your first competition.
The target
The 10m air rifle target has ten concentric rings numbered 1 through 10, with the 10-ring having a diameter of just 0.5 mm. Each ring is 5 mm wide. For scoring, the innermost ring is further subdivided into ten sub-rings (the "decimal" scoring system), giving each shot a value from 10.0 to 10.9. Shots outside the 10-ring score as whole integers: a pellet touching the 9-ring scores 9, and so on down to 1.
At major competitions, electronic scoring targets display results in real time. In club-level events, paper targets are scored either by judges using a scoring gauge or by photographing the target with an app like TargetLog, which analyses the pellet holes using on-device computer vision.
For a deep dive into decimal scoring, tie-breaking, and what each ring is worth, see our full guide to how ISSF scoring works.
Course of fire: qualification round
Format
The qualification round is the same for all athletes regardless of gender. ISSF rules introduced in 2018 equalised the format:
- 60 competition shots, fired from standing position at 10 metres
- Time limit: 75 minutes
- Sighter shots: unlimited, fired before or during the 75-minute window at the athlete's discretion. Sighters do not count towards the competition score
- Scoring: decimal (10.0 to 10.9 per shot)
- Maximum possible score: 654.0 (60 × 10.9)
Qualification scoring in practice
A score below 580 (a 9.67 average) is considered a solid club-level result. Scores in the 600–610 range indicate regional competitiveness. At the international level, qualification scores above 630 are needed to reach the finals. The current world record of 637.9 was set by China's Sheng Lihao in May 2023 and equalled by Wang Zifei in June 2025.
Ranking and ties
Athletes are ranked by their total 60-shot score. If two or more athletes are tied on the same score, the ISSF uses the count-back method: the athlete with the higher number of inner tens (10.9s, then 10.8s, and so on) is ranked higher. This method continues until the tie is broken. If the tie persists, the athlete with the higher score in the final ten shots wins, then the last five shots, and so on working backwards through the string.
The finals: Ranking Match and Medal Match
Since 2018, ISSF 10m air rifle finals use a two-stage format: a Ranking Match (to determine positions 8 through 3) followed by a Medal Match (to determine gold and silver). Crucially, finals scores start from zero — qualification scores do not carry forward.
Ranking Match (24 shots, progressive elimination)
The top eight athletes from qualification advance to the Ranking Match. The format works as follows:
- Series 1–3: All eight athletes fire three series of five shots each (250 seconds per series). After 15 shots, the lowest two athletes are eliminated (placed 8th and 7th).
- Series 4: The remaining six athletes fire one more five-shot series (250 seconds). After 20 shots, the lowest two are eliminated (placed 6th and 5th).
- Series 5: The remaining four athletes fire another five-shot series (250 seconds). After 25 shots, the lowest two are eliminated (placed 4th and 3rd — the bronze medallist is the athlete in 3rd place).
- Medal Match progression: The two remaining athletes continue immediately to the Medal Match.
The highest possible Ranking Match score is 261.6 (25 shots × 10.9, though only 25 shots determine 3rd place; the full 24-shot maximum from older rules was 261.6 as well). In practice, scores above 250 are exceptional. The current world record for the final is 255.0, set by Danilo Sollazzo (ITA) in September 2025.
Medal Match (head-to-head, first to 16 points)
The two highest-ranked athletes compete head-to-head in the Medal Match. This is a different scoring system:
- Both athletes fire single shots on command (50 seconds per shot)
- After each shot, points are awarded based on who shot the higher score: 2 points for the higher shot, 1 point each for a tie, 0 points for the lower shot
- The first athlete to reach 16 or more points wins the gold medal; the other wins silver
This "best-of" format creates dramatic, shot-by-shot tension. A athlete who trails by a few points in the Ranking Match can still win gold by outshooting their opponent in the Medal Match. Coaches are allowed a single timeout of one minute during the Medal Match to speak with their athlete on the firing line.
Tied scores at elimination
If two athletes are tied at an elimination stage in the Ranking Match, they fire additional single shots (50 seconds each) until the tie is broken. This process repeats until only the required number of athletes advance.
Equipment rules
ISSF equipment rules for 10m air rifle are detailed in Section 7 of the ISSF General Technical Rules. Here are the key points:
The rifle
- Calibre: 4.5 mm (.177 in)
- Maximum weight: 5.5 kg (approximately 12.1 lb), including all attachments
- Minimum trigger pull: 500 g (the trigger must not release with less than 500 g of force)
- Action: pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) or single-stroke pneumatic. Spring-piston rifles are permitted but rare at competition level
- Sights: non-magnifying diopter rear sight and globe (aperture) front sight only — optical scopes are not allowed
- Only one rifle may be used throughout qualification and finals for a given event
Clothing and accessories
ISSF rules permit specialised shooting clothing designed for stability and to prevent injury from prolonged asymmetric loading:
- Shooting jacket: rigidly padded, with adjustable straps to support the standing position
- Shooting trousers: padded to provide grip against the body and reduce fatigue
- Shooting boots: flat-soled with no heel for stable foot placement
- Gloves: a thin shooting glove on the support hand
- Sling: for some rifle events (not used in standing air rifle)
Clothing must comply with ISSF thickness and stiffness regulations and is checked by equipment control before competition. The weight of all clothing and accessories is limited by the rules.
The standing position
In 10m air rifle, the athlete stands facing the target with the rifle supported by both hands, the non-dominant elbow resting against the torso or hip for additional support. The non-dominant hand grips the fore-end of the rifle, while the dominant hand operates the trigger. The athlete must maintain this position without external support — leaning against walls, resting the rifle on benches, or using any aid beyond ISSF-approved clothing and equipment is prohibited.
The standing position is the least stable of all rifle shooting positions, which is why 10m air rifle is considered one of the most technically demanding ISSF events. Shooters develop a deliberately arched posture that allows the support elbow to lock against the ribcage, maximising hold stability.
How to get started in 10m air rifle
Step 1: Find a club
Most countries have national shooting federations affiliated with the ISSF. Your national federation's website should list affiliated clubs with 10m ranges. Many clubs offer introductory sessions and loan equipment to beginners.
Step 2: Get basic equipment
You do not need a €3,000 match rifle to start. Many clubs provide entry-level air rifles for beginners. When you are ready to buy your own, check out our guide on choosing your first ISSF air rifle — the same principles of quality, fit, and budget apply to rifles.
Step 3: Learn the shot process
Every shot in 10m air rifle follows a consistent process: stance and hold → natural point of aim → sight alignment → breath control → trigger release → follow through. Developing a repeatable shot process is more important than expensive equipment. Our post on dry-fire training drills includes specific exercises for hold stability and trigger control that translate directly to air rifle.
Step 4: Track your scores with an app
Use TargetLog to photograph your targets after each session. The app analyses pellet positions on-device and calculates your score using ISSF decimal scoring rules — including inner tens and the X-count. Over time, you will build a training history that reveals trends in your performance. Download TargetLog for free.
Step 5: Enter your first competition
Start with club-level or local competitions. These are informal, low-pressure events where you will learn the rhythm of a competitive match: preparation time, sighter shots, managing the 75-minute clock, and shooting under scoring conditions. Many national federations also offer a progression from local to regional to national-level competitions.
10m air rifle vs 10m air pistol: what is the difference?
Both events are shot at 10 metres with .177 calibre air guns and use the same target. The key differences are:
| Feature | 10m Air Rifle | 10m Air Pistol |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Standing, two-handed | Standing, one-handed |
| Max weight | 5.5 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Min trigger pull | 500 g | 500 g |
| Sights | Diopter + globe | Open or optical |
| Qualification | 60 shots / 75 min | 60 shots / 75 min |
| Arm support | Elbow rests on torso | No body contact with arm |
Both events share the same finals format (Ranking Match + Medal Match) introduced in 2018.
Frequently asked questions
How many shots do you fire in an ISSF 10m air rifle match?
Sixty competition shots in the qualification round, within a 75-minute time limit. Sighter shots are unlimited and do not count towards the score.
Do men and women fire different courses of fire in 10m air rifle?
No. Since the 2018 ISSF rule change, both men and women fire 60 shots in qualification and compete under identical finals formats.
What is the highest possible score in 10m air rifle qualification?
654.0 points. Each shot is scored in tenths (10.0 to 10.9), and 60 shots × 10.9 = 654.0. The current world record is 637.9, set by Sheng Lihao (CHN) in 2023 and equalled by Wang Zifei (CHN) in 2025.
Can I compete in 10m air rifle as a complete beginner?
Yes. Many clubs run beginner-friendly club competitions with relaxed equipment rules. You need only a safe air rifle and access to a 10m range. Local and national competitions often have novice classes.
Why is the rifle shot only from standing position in ISSF 10m air rifle?
ISSF 10m air rifle is specifically the standing event. The three-position event (prone, kneeling, standing) is contested at 50m with a .22 calibre rifle and governed by separate ISSF rules.
Written by the TargetLog Team. Track your training scores accurately with TargetLog — on-device ISSF decimal scoring, available on iOS and Android.