10 m Air Rifle vs Air Pistol targets and scoring
They share a distance and pellet diameter, but their target scale, inner-ten test and useful performance comparisons are fundamentally different.
Published · Updated · Written and source-reviewed by the TargetIQ editorial team
Side-by-side target geometry
The apparent size difference is intentional. Air Pistol is fired without the shoulder and cheek support available in Rifle, and its target geometry reflects a different event. A group should be interpreted in millimetres as well as rings when comparing across events.
| Reference | 10 m Air Rifle | 10 m Air Pistol |
|---|---|---|
| 10-zone diameter | 0.5 mm | 11.5 mm |
| 9-zone diameter | 5.5 mm | 27.5 mm |
| Ring spacing by radius | 2.5 mm | 8.0 mm |
| Black aiming mark | 30.5 mm (zones 4–9) | 59.5 mm (zones 7–10) |
| Projectile diameter | 4.5 mm | 4.5 mm |
| Target rule | 6.3.4.3 | 6.3.4.6 |
Full-ring scoring shares a principle, not one gauge
Both targets award the higher full-ring value touched by the shot hole or prescribed gauge. The physical outward gauge differs: the paper annex specifies a 5.5 mm measuring edge for Air Rifle rings 3 through 10 and 11.5 mm for Air Pistol rings 2 through 10.
The gauges compare their outside edge with lower reference rings. That makes a doubtful inner-zone call visible even when the pellet hole itself obscures small target details.
Inner tens are event-specific
For Air Rifle, an Air Pistol outward gauge must remain inside the Rifle 7 ring; ideal geometry places the shot centre within 2.0 mm. Air Pistol uses a separate 18.0 mm inner-ten outward gauge that must remain inside the Pistol 9 ring.
An app or spreadsheet should therefore store the selected event with the shot positions. Applying the Rifle shortcut to a Pistol card, or merging their score averages, produces a confident-looking but invalid comparison.
What can be compared across events
- Training frequency, shot count and completion of a planned course.
- Group size in millimetres when shot counts and conditions are stated.
- Consistency trends within each event, not raw ring totals merged together.
- Review habits such as verifying every card and recording equipment changes.
Sources and scope
- Current ISSF rules index: See target Rules 6.3.4.3 and 6.3.4.6.
- ISSF Rules for Paper Target Scoring: See the Air Rifle, Air Pistol and inner-ten outward-gauge sections.
Official-rule references checked 6 August 2026. Use the current governing publication and authorised officials for competition decisions.
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