Shooting Challenge & Target Designed by Lanny "Oakley" Barnes, 3x Olympian, World Champion Shooter.
By: Lanny Oakley
The Expanding Horizons is a 50-round progression drill designed to progressively increase target separation and engagement distance while building speed, accuracy, visual processing and smooth target transitions.
The drill can be completed with a handgun, rifle, or shotgun.
For shotgun, substitute three static steel targets (minimum 10 yards) or three clay targets placed safely on the berm while following the same target sequence.
The challenge begins with a simple warm-up and gradually increases both distance to the targets and transition length, encouraging shooters to stay smooth, efficient and accountable throughout every stage.
Coaching Points
- Lead with your eyes before moving the firearm.
- Drive the firearm - don't swing it
- Accept the appropriate sight picture for the distance.
- Be smooth first; speed follows efficiency.
- Move only as fast as you can guarantee quality hits.
- Accuracy is the foundation of speed.
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, rifle or shotgun.
Ammo: 50 rounds
Safety: Eye and Ear Protection
Target:
- Handgun & Rifle: 3 printed targets (Tl, T2 & T3) See printable target below
- Shotgun: Three (3) KO steel targets or three clay targets (aproximately 50 clays)
A Shot Timer is needed.
How to Setup & Shoot the challenge
Stage Breakdown
Stage 1: Find Your Rhythm
| 1 | 6 | Handgun, Rifle or Shotgun | 3 Yds (handgun), 7 Yds (rifle), 10 Yds (shotgun) | 1 yard apart |
Course of Fire
Fire one round on the upper left confirmation dot of the Left > Center > Right target (3 rounds). Then fire one round in the A-Zone of the Right > Left > Center target (3 rounds).
Skill Focus
- Sight confirmation
- Smooth transitions
Stage 2: Stretch Out
| 2 | 9 | Handgun, Rifle or Shotgun | 5 Yds (handgun), 10 Yds (rifle), 12 Yds (shotgun) | 2 yards apart |
Course of Fire
Fire 2 rounds on each target in A Zone on Center > left > Right (6 rounds), then fire 1 round on each lower left dot Center > Left > Right (3 rounds).
Skill Focus
- Eye speed
- Driving the gun efficiently
- Stopping on target
Stage 3: Expand the World
| 3 | 9 | Handgun, Rifle or Shotgun | 5 Yds (handgun), 15 Yds (rifle), 12 Yds (shotgun) | 4-6 yards apart if possible |
Course of Fire
Fire 2 rounds on each target in the A-Zone Left > Right > Center (6 rounds). Repeat by firing 1 round Right > Left > Center on the lower right confirmation dot (3 rounds).
Skill Focus
- Longer transitions
- Target acquisition
Stage 4: Eye Before Gun
| 4 | 9 | Handgun, Rifle or Shotgun | 7 Yds (handgun), 15 Yds (rifle), 15 Yds (shotgun) | 6 yards apart if possible |
Course of Fire
Fire 2 rounds in the A-zone Right > Center > Left (6 rounds). Then fire 1 round into the upper right dot Left > Right > Center (3 rounds).
Skill Focus
- Really leading with the eye
- Snapping the firearm onto the target
Stage 5: Expanding the Horizon
| 5 | 17 | Handgun, Rifle or Shotgun | 7 Yds (handgun), 15 Yds (rifle), 15 Yds (shotgun) | Left berm, right berm, center if the range allows. |
Course of Fire
Fire one 1 round on the lower right confirmation dot of each target Left > Center > Right (3 rounds)
Then fire 2 rounds on each target Right > Center > Left (6 rounds)
Then fire 2 rounds into the A-Zone Right > Left > Center (6 rounds)
FINAL: Precision hits on the upper A-Zone Left > Right > Left > Right (5 rounds)
Skill Focus
- Efficient firearm transitions
- Mental discipline to find and settle on a target
Download the Target & Directions
Goal
Growth doesn’t happen by staying comfortable.
This month’s The Ascent Monthly Challenge is all about pushing your limits, building confidence and expanding what you believe you’re capable of—one shot at a time. Whether you’re a brand-new shooter or a seasoned competitor, this challenge is designed to test your skills while encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone.
Don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on learning, improving and taking that next step forward. The only person you’re competing against is the one you were yesterday.
A chance to win prizes
Post on Instagram sharing your experience with the July 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.
