Shooting Challenge & Target Designed by Lanny "Oakley" Barnes, 3x Olympian, World Champion Shooter.
By: Lanny Oakley
Designed for rifle, pistol and shotgun shooters across all disciplines, this challenge focuses on developing the fundamentals of a high-quality shot — while introducing controlled physical and mental fatigue.
You’ll build the stabilizer muscles required to hold your firearm, learn to recognize and manage your wobble zone, reduce unnecessary movement and anticipation and most importantly — develop the discipline to break a clean shot under fatigue and pressure.
This challenge is simple in structure — but demanding in execution.
How the Challenge Works
- Hold your firearm on target continuously.
- At specific time intervals, you will be required to take one precise shot.
- If you hit, you continue.
- If you miss, the challenge is over.
Score = Total consecutive hits
General Challenge Rules
- Always follow the 4 Primary Rules of Firearm Safety and all range rules.
- Firearm must remain mounted/on-target throughout the drill.
- You may not lower the firearm during the challenge unless you are ending the drill.
- Focus on: breathing control, wobble zone awareness, trigger discipline, anticipation, shot timing and mental thought control.
Equipment Needed
Firearm: Any handgun with any sighting system (for single-shots, follow the steps below).
Ammo: Minimum: 1 round; Maximum: Shoot until you miss or reach max fatigue.
Target: See printable target above or draw a 4” circle on a piece of paper.
A spotter and a timer are recommended.
Press the tab, noting your skill level to view challenge steps
Equipment Needed
Firearm: Any Rifle with any sighting system (for single shots and limited round count, follow the steps below).
Ammo: Minimum: 1 round; Maximum: Shoot until you miss or reach max fatigue.
Target: See printable target above or draw a 4” circle on a piece of paper
A spotter and timer are recommended but not required. If you don’t have a spotter and timer, or can’t see your hits, try a progression of the drill below:
Start out with whatever category you feel you are in. Start with 30 seconds and see if you can get a hit. Then do the next criteria (either 10 seconds or another 30 seconds). Continue this until you reach your limit!
Press the tab, noting your skill level to view challenge steps
Equipment Needed
Firearm: Any shotgun with any sighting system (for single shots, over- and-unders and limited round count shotguns, follow the steps below).
Ammo: Minimum: 1 round; Maximum: Shoot until you miss or reach max fatigue.
Target: Straightaway or trap target with a standard 108mm clay pigeon set at 16 yards. Or similar. The goal is for you to have a consistent target to shoot at.
A trapper or a puller and timer are recommended but not required. If you don’t have a trapper or a puller, or can’t see your hits, try a progression of the drill below:
Start out with whatever category you feel you are in. Start with 30 seconds and see if you can get a hit. Then do the next criteria (either 10 seconds or another 30 seconds). Continue this until you reach your limit!
Press the tab, noting your skill level to view challenge steps
The Goal
This isn’t about speed. It’s about discipline under fatigue and the ability to take a good shot.
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
• When to accept your sight picture
• When to break the shot
• When to trust your hold
Final Thought
The longer you hold … the louder your mind gets.
The shooters who improve are the ones who learn to quiet it — and still break a perfect shot.
Follow Lanny’s The Ascent for More Challenges
The Ascent is Lanny’s three-year commitment to world record attempts, world championship pursuits and performance at the highest level in sports. Now, The Ascent is not meant to be watched from the sidelines. Lanny invites you to join her as she sends out progressive monthly challenges designed to help you improve both physically and in your shooting, no matter your starting point.
Each month features a shooting challenge and a separate physical challenge, with beginner, intermediate and advanced levels so you can train at your own pace. The challenges build on one another, starting with foundational skills and gradually adding difficulty, movement and pressure over time. Whether you shoot rifle, pistol, shotgun, you’re an extreme athlete or starting out on your physical fitness journey, The Ascent is about showing up, putting in the work and pushing yourself and others to improve. One month, one challenge, one shot and one rep at a time.
Join in on Lanny’s ascent — and let’s raise the standard together.
