Shooting Challenge & Target Designed by Lanny "Oakley" Barnes, 3x Olympian, World Champion Shooter.
By: Lanny Oakley
The 10 Circle Challenge is all about accuracy, target focus and control. Ten circles, ten opportunities to test your skills. The circles are different sizes to make it more challenging and to reward precision.
The drill can be completed with a handgun, pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) or rifle.
Coaching Points
- Focus on a consistent grip, sight picture and trigger press.
- Take time to build accuracy, then add speed.
- Reset at the low ready or re-holster between circles.
Safety Reminders
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Know your target and what is beyond it.
- Follow all range rules and commands.
- Make safe transitions between firearms and/or targets at all times.
Scoring
- All hits in the A-Zone = 0 penalty
- Hits in the C-Zone = + 1 second
- Miss = + 3 seconds
- Lowest total time wins
Equipment Needed
Firearm: Any handgun, PCC or rifle.
Ammo: 20-40+ rounds
Safety: Eye and Ear Protection
Target:
- Handgun & Rifle: Printed target. See printable target below
A Shot Timer is needed for intermediate, advanced and the bonus round.
How to Shoot the challenge
Skill level Breakdown
Beginner | Build Your Foundation
Course of Fire
Starting from a safe, ready position, engage each circular target twice, focusing on accuracy.
Goal
Get hits in all 10 circles, regardless of circle size.
| Distance | 5 Yards (Rifle & PCC: 10 Yards) |
| Start Position | Your choice (a safe, ready position) |
| Rounds | 2 hits on each of the 10 circles (20 total) |
Intermediate | Focus on Control
Course of Fire
Starting from a low ready position, engage a circular target twice within 3 seconds. Then stop and reset to low ready before moving to the next circle.
| Distance | 5 Yards (Rifle & PCC: 10 Yards) |
| Start Position | Low ready |
| Time Limit | 3 seconds per circle |
| Rounds | 2 hits on each of the 10 circles (20 total) |
Advanced | Draw. Execute. Repeat.
Course of Fire
Starting with your firearm holstered, draw and engage a circular target twice within 3 seconds. Then stop and safely re-holster before moving to the next circle.
| Distance | 5 Yards (Rifle & PCC: 10 Yards) |
| Start Position | From the holster |
| Time Limit | 3 seconds per circle |
| Rounds | 2 hits on each of the 10 circles (20 total) |
Bonus Round | Beat Your Best Time
Course of Fire
Begin with your firearm in the same starting position as your chosen skill level. Engage all 10 targets two times each as quickly as you can. Time how long it takes you to make all 20 shots.
Goal
Record your total time. Try to beat your time and challenge a friend!
| Distance | 5 Yards (Rifle & PCC: 10 Yards) |
| Start Position | Same as your chosen skill level |
| Time Limit | As fast as you can get all 20 hits (2 on each circle) |
| Rounds | 20 total (add a dafe reload if needed) |
Download the Target & Directions
A chance to win prizes
Post on Instagram sharing your experience with the November challenge and tag @lanny_oakley or message @lanny_oakley directly and share your thoughts for a chance to win cool prizes.
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 or shotgun, you’re an extreme athlete or you're 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.
Check out More Shooting Drills
Shooting drills and targets designed and created by Lanny "Oakley" Barnes.
Color React Drill
The Color React Sequence is a 50-round drill for rifle or handgun shooters designed to build accuracy, reaction time and disciplined shot execution under pressure.
Foundation Under Fire
“Foundation Under Fire” combines proven shooting drills into one challenging 50-round course designed to test and develop the skills that matter most.
