Assessment Overview
The 7 Ring is a 10-round shooting assessment designed to measure repeatable first-shot performance from the holster.
A single fast draw can show you what you’re capable of. The 7 Ring looks at 10 consecutive draws to give you a better picture of the performance you will likely produce on demand.
Each draw requires you to balance speed with accuracy. Your final Hit Factor combines both into a single number that can be recorded, compared, and tracked over time.
Rounds: 10
Maximum Points: 70
Scoring: Hit Factor
Distance: 7 yards
Start Position: Hands relaxed at sides
Holster: Concealed
Shots Per Draw: 1
The goal isn’t simply to find your fastest draw. It’s to measure repeatable first-shot performance at speed.
Download the Target
The 7 Ring – 10 Draws – Printable PDF
Print at 100% / Actual Size
The 7 Ring target is designed to be aligned over the body A-zone of a USPSA-style target.
Course of Fire
Distance: 7 yards
Rounds: 10
Start Position: Hands relaxed at sides
Holster: Concealed
Begin with the handgun holstered and your hands relaxed at your sides.
On the start signal, draw and fire one round at the target.
Record the time and hit for that draw, safely reset, and return to the starting position.
Repeat for a total of 10 individual draws and 10 rounds.
Each draw should be timed separately. Record all 10 times and hits on the target before calculating your final result.
Make It Useful
The standard 7 Ring assessment is shot at 7 yards, from concealment, with your hands relaxed at your sides, but don’t be afraid to make small changes when they help answer a useful question.
Want to compare hands at your sides vs. surrender? AIWB vs. 4 o’clock IWB? Irons vs. a red dot? Two different pistols or equipment setups? Run the assessment under both conditions and compare the results.
Whenever possible, change one variable at a time, and make notes on your targets so you remember exactly what you tested.
The goal isn’t necessarily to determine that one technique, firearm, or piece of equipment is universally better. It’s to find out what works better for you, what doesn’t, and where you may need more practice.
Scoring
The 7 Ring is scored using Hit Factor (HF), rewarding the combination of speed and accuracy across all 10 draws.
7 Ring: 7 points
Alpha: 5 points
Charlie: 3 points
Delta: 1 point
Miss: -10 points
Line breaks count.
The maximum possible score is 70 points.
Add the points from all 10 shots, then add the individual draw times together to determine your total elapsed time.
Your Hit Factor is calculated by dividing your total points by your total time:
Hit Factor = Total Points ÷ Total Time
A higher Hit Factor represents better overall performance.
Results
Record each individual draw time and hit as you complete the assessment. After all 10 draws, calculate your total time, total points, average draw time and Hit Factor.
Total Points: _____ / 70
Total Time: _____ seconds
Average Draw: _____ seconds
Fastest Draw: _____ seconds
Slowest Draw: _____ seconds
Calculate Your Hit Factor
Total Points _____ ÷ Total Time _____ = Hit Factor _____
Your fastest draw shows what you’re capable of producing. Your slowest can show where your performance begins to break down. Your average gives you a better picture of what you can repeatedly produce.
Your Hit Factor adds accuracy to that picture, giving you a single performance measurement that can be compared over time.
The printable target itself includes fields for all ten draw times/hits, total time, total points, average draw, Hit Factor, fastest and slowest draw.
Shoot & Share
Shoot The 7 Ring, calculate your Hit Factor, and share your results.
Tag @CasualFirearms so we can see how you did, and we may feature your run here.
Don’t just show us your fastest draw. Show us all ten.
Featured Runs
| Shooter | Social | Holster | Start | Points | Time | Avg. Draw | HF | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jon L | @JonLapi | Concealed | At side | 56 | 16.91 | 1.69 | 3.31 | Not filmed |
| Jon R | @CasualFirearms | Concealed | Surrender | 56 | 17.66 | 1.76 | 3.17 | Coming Soon! |
| Jon R | @CasualFirearms | Concealed | Surrender | 48 | 15.49 | 1.54 | 3.09 | Coming Soon! |
Creative Misuses
The 7 Ring was designed to evaluate first-shot performance from the holster.
That doesn’t mean the target has to stay in its lane.
The combination of time, accuracy, and repeatable scoring makes it useful for measuring and comparing all kinds of shooting performance.
We’ve used the format to compare different firearms and equipment setups, alternative handgun manipulations, low-ready presentations, and even standing unsupported rifle performance.
Change the distance. Change the firearm. Change the starting position. Shoot doubles. Compare two setups. Test something we haven’t thought of yet.
Be creative.
Just remember that once you significantly change the Course of Fire, you’re no longer shooting The 7 Ring assessment. You’re using the 7 Ring target and scoring system to measure something else.
And we’re perfectly okay with that.