All TargetLog field notes in gear & equipment — drills, gear, and guidance for ISSF precision shooters.
There is no single correct rear aperture size; it depends on your eyes, the light, and your front sight. Start near 1.1 mm, then test on the range until the aiming black sits in a ring of clean white.
Filling a PCP air gun cylinder takes a matching fitting, a slow bleed-up to the rated pressure, and a habit of drying the air you put in. This guide walks through the three fill sources and the checks that keep a cylinder in test and leak-free.
ISSF shooting glasses are a corrective lens system that lets you see your front sight (pistol) or target (rifle) sharply. Beginners need a lens matched to their prescription, an iris to control depth of field, and a blinder to block the non-aiming eye.
Smartphone apps can now detect and score individual bullet holes on ISSF paper targets in seconds. The key is a clean, well-lit photograph and understanding how to act on the data.
Your shooting jacket and trousers are the biggest equipment investment a rifle shooter makes. Getting the right fit and an ISSF-compliant set from the start saves money and avoids failed equipment-control checks.
Regular cleaning of your air gun barrel and action, combined with proper pellet handling and storage, prevents accuracy drift and extends the life of your competition equipment.
ISSF grip rules for 10m and 25m pistol got stricter on January 1, 2026, targeting the web-of-hand contour, thumb rest shape, and palm rest angle. Most shooters need small modifications, not a full replacement.
ISSF rules require a minimum total trigger pull weight of 500 grams on 10m air pistols. The trick is distributing that weight between the first and second stages so the gun feels predictable, passes equipment control, and lets you release the shot cleanly.
A correct sight picture in 10m air rifle comes from a properly adjusted diopter, the right front aperture, and consistent eye position behind the rear sight.
ISSF Rule 8.6.1 permits 10m air pistol athletes to compete in ordinary sport clothing. Shooting jackets, special trousers, and stiff footwear are all prohibited in air pistol events.
Adjusting your rear sight is how you move shot groups on target. You change the sight, not your hold. Each click on your pistol moves the point of impact by a specific amount, and learning your pistol's click value lets you correct group center from any target you photograph.
A properly fitted grip aligns the pistol with your forearm bones so you hold it with minimal muscle effort. The result is less wobble, better trigger control, and more consistent scores across a 60-shot match.
ISSF 10m competition requires .177 calibre (4.5 mm) wadcutter pellets. The right pellet — in the right head size and weight for your barrel — can mean the difference between a 570 and a 590 qualification score.
Your first ISSF competition air pistol needs to meet strict rules — 4.5 mm calibre, 1.5 kg maximum weight, 500 g minimum trigger pull — but the most important factor is finding a grip that fits your hand.
Photograph a competition target and get an ISSF score on-device — free on iOS and Android.
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