ISSF vs NRA Targets Explained

April 19, 2026 · 5 min read

If you have spent any time around competitive pistol shooting, you have seen two target standards: ISSF and NRA. They look similar at first glance, but differ in ring dimensions, scoring rules, and shooting distances. This guide breaks down what separates them so you can pick the right target and understand scoring in each system.

What Is ISSF

ISSF stands for International Shooting Sport Federation, the governing body for Olympic and international shooting events. ISSF sets rules, target specifications, and courses of fire for World Cups, World Championships, and the Olympics.

ISSF targets use metric dimensions at fixed distances: 10m, 25m, and 50m. Ring diameters are defined to the tenth of a millimeter, and targets must meet tight manufacturing tolerances for competition approval.

What Is NRA

The NRA (National Rifle Association) publishes target specifications used in domestic U.S. competition, including NRA Precision Pistol (formerly known as Bullseye). NRA targets use imperial units (inches) at distances measured in yards and feet: commonly 25 yards, 50 yards, and 50 feet.

NRA targets remain the standard for U.S. bullseye leagues, military marksmanship, and law enforcement qualifications. If you shoot at an indoor range in the U.S., the paper targets on the shelf are most likely NRA-spec.

Key Differences: Ring Sizes, Scoring, and Distances

• Ring dimensions. ISSF and NRA targets have different ring diameters, even at similar distances. They are not interchangeable for official scoring.
• Scoring method. ISSF uses decimal scoring (10.0 through 10.9) in finals. NRA uses an X-ring for tiebreaking but scores in whole numbers.
• Distances. ISSF uses metric (10m, 25m, 50m). NRA uses imperial (50 feet, 25 yards, 50 yards).

A score on one system does not translate directly to the other. A 95 on an NRA B-8 at 25 yards and a 95 on an ISSF 25m target represent different levels of precision because the ring sizes differ.

ISSF Pistol Targets

ISSF defines separate targets for each discipline. The three most common are the 10m air pistol, 25m rapid fire, and 50m free pistol targets.

10m air pistol

This is the smallest ISSF pistol target and one of the most demanding in all of shooting sport. The 10-ring is just 11.5mm in diameter, slightly smaller than a fingertip. The outermost ring (1-ring) measures 155.5mm in diameter, and the total target card including the border is 170mm across.

At 10 meters, that 11.5mm 10-ring is tiny. Elite shooters routinely stack shots inside it, which is why ISSF introduced decimal scoring for finals, subdividing the inner ten from 10.0 through 10.9.

25m rapid fire pistol

The 25m rapid fire target is much larger. The 10-ring is 50mm in diameter, and the outermost scoring ring (the 5-ring, since this target only scores down to 5) is 500mm. Shooters engage five targets in sequences of 8, 6, and 4 seconds, so the larger dimensions reflect the speed element. This target is also used for the 25m pistol event (formerly sport pistol), which combines precision and rapid fire stages.

50m free pistol

The 50m pistol target has a 10-ring of 50mm, same diameter as the 25m target, but the shooting distance is doubled. At 50 meters, even the generous-looking 50mm 10-ring becomes a real challenge. Free pistol is one of the original Olympic events, contested since 1896, and demands extraordinary stillness and trigger control.

NRA Pistol Targets

NRA publishes dozens of target designs, but three matter most for pistol shooters.

B-8 (timed and rapid fire)

The B-8 is the workhorse of NRA Precision Pistol, a 25-yard replacement center commonly pasted onto a larger backing board. The 10-ring is approximately 1.695 inches (43mm) in diameter, and the X-ring (used for tiebreaking) is about 0.9 inches (23mm). Scoring rings run from 7 through 10 plus X.

Used for timed and rapid fire stages at 25 yards, the B-8 doubles as a popular general-purpose training target. Many shooters also use it at 50 yards for an extra challenge, though the official 50-yard stage uses the B-6.

B-16 (slow fire, 50 feet)

The B-16 is designed for slow fire at 50 feet, typically used in indoor leagues. Its ring dimensions are proportionally reduced compared to the B-8, making it demanding at what seems like a short distance. Common in indoor winter leagues and useful for shooters without access to a 25-yard range.

B-27 (silhouette)

The B-27 is a full-size silhouette target used in law enforcement and defensive shooting qualifications. It is not a bullseye target, but it appears in many NRA-sanctioned courses of fire. Scoring zones are large body regions rather than concentric rings. Less relevant to precision pistol, but you will encounter it at nearly every public range in the U.S.

Scoring Differences

NRA scoring uses whole numbers. Each ring has an integer value (7, 8, 9, 10), and shots are scored by the highest-value ring they touch. The X-ring sits inside the 10-ring and counts as a 10 for points, but X-count is recorded separately for tiebreaking. When multiple shooters post identical totals, the one with more Xs wins.

ISSF scoring in qualification rounds also uses whole numbers (1 through 10), but in finals, decimal scoring applies. The 10-ring is subdivided so a shot can score from 10.0 to 10.9 depending on proximity to the exact center. A 10.9 means the shot is nearly dead center. This provides much finer separation between elite shooters. In qualification, ISSF uses an "inner ten" count for tiebreaking, similar in concept to the NRA X-ring.

Both systems use the same gauge principle: if a plug of bullet diameter touches the ring line, the shot gets the higher value. At major ISSF competitions, electronic targets now handle this automatically.

Which Targets to Use for Practice

If you compete, use the targets that match your discipline. ISSF competitors should train on ISSF targets at the correct metric distances. NRA Precision Pistol shooters should use B-8 and B-16 targets at their specified distances.

If you do not compete, it does not matter much which system you choose. Pick one and be consistent. Tracking performance only works when you use the same target at the same distance every session.

Whichever target you choose, make sure you track your results consistently so you can measure real improvement. A few practical suggestions:

• Indoor ranges (50 feet or shorter): The NRA B-16 or an ISSF 10m air pistol target. The air pistol target is especially good for building precision, that 11.5mm 10-ring is unforgiving.
• 25-yard ranges: The NRA B-8. Compact, clear scoring rings, and cheap in bulk.
• 50 yards or 50 meters: Use the target for your discipline. The ISSF 50m target and the NRA B-6 both demand serious precision.

Whichever target you choose, Shotalyze supports both ISSF and NRA target types with correct ring dimensions, so your scores and group analysis stay accurate.