Sports2024 Paris Olympics

Actions

Shooting 101: Glossary

Shooting 101: Glossary
Posted
and last updated

Airgun: A rifle or pistol that uses compressed air or carbon dioxide to discharge metallic pellets.

Bore: The interior diameter of a gun barrel.

Bull: The central blackened portion of a target that appears as a dot to the shooter taking aim.

Bunker: In trap shooting, the underground "dugout" in front of the firing line from which machines throw clay targets.

Caliber: The interior diameter of a rifle or pistol barrel.

Cartridge: The complete unit of ammunition, including the projectile, case, powder and primer.

Chamber: The rear portion of the gun barrel into which a cartridge is inserted for firing.

Crossfire: A shot accidentally fired on a target assigned to another competitor.

Double trap: Competition in which two clay targets are launched simultaneously in front of the shooter.

Firing line: The line from which competitors position themselves to shoot their targets (pictured).

Free pistol: A .22-caliber pistol relatively "free" of restrictions.

Malfunction: A gun or ammunition's failure to perform; not firing when the trigger is released.

Metallic sight: Non-magnifying devices on the front and rear ends of a firearm used to assist aim.

Offhand: Another term for the standard shooting position.

Pits: In .22-caliber shooting, the area downrange where targets are placed for use.

Sighters: Practice shots fired at the beginning of a match to check sight adjustments; sighters do not count in the match score.

Stock: The wooden, metal, plastic or fiberglass portion of a rifle or shotgun to which the barrel, action, trigger action, etc., are attached.

String: A series of shots, normally five or 10.

Ten-ring: The innermost ring of the black section of the target.

Three positions: Rifle events in which competitors shoot in standing, kneeling and prone positions.

Trap: The device used for launching clay targets into the air.