Time Plus versus Hit Factor Scoring: Differences that Affect Your Game Plan
- Sun and Shadow
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
When it comes to competitive shooting, the method of how your performance is scored can drastically change your strategy, pace, and priorities. Two of the most common scoring methods are Time Plus and Hit Factor. Each system rewards different aspects of shooting skill, and understanding the nuances of both is essential for competitors looking to improve their scores and match placement.
We'll break down what these scoring systems are, how they work, and how they influence your approach to match strategy or individual stages.
Time Plus Scoring
Time Plus scoring is a straightforward system often used in matches like Quantified Performance, 3-Gun, 2-Gun, and other action rifle competitions.
How It Works:
Your raw time to complete a stage is recorded.
Penalties for misses, procedural errors, or no-shoot hits are added to that raw time.
The shooter with the lowest final time wins the stage.
Example:
Raw time: 30.00 seconds
One missed target (+5 seconds)
One Charlie (+1 seconds)
Final time: 36.00 seconds
Key Traits:
Emphasizes accuracy and avoiding penalties, since each mistake directly adds time.
Simple to understand and watch, making it a favorite for spectators and newer competitors.
Encourages risk management: going too fast can lead to costly mistakes.
Each stage typically has equal weight.
Typically uses a mix of paper or cardboard for scoring zones at closer ranges, with steel targets given a miss value if unhit (ie +5 seconds for each steel not hit).
Hit Factor Scoring
Hit Factor scoring is used in sports like USPSA, IPSC, and PCSL.
How It Works:
Your score is calculated as: Points Scored ÷ Time Taken = Hit Factor
Shooters are then ranked on each stage by their hit factor.
The top shooter on a stage receives all the available stage points; others receive a percentage based on their hit factor.
Example:
Points scored: 90
Time: 15.00 seconds
Hit Factor: 6.00
Key Traits:
Balances speed and accuracy: Going faster is rewarded, but only if accuracy doesn’t suffer significantly.
Encourages pushing the pace, especially when target difficulty is manageable.
Small differences in time or accuracy can lead to large changes in score, especially on high-value stages.
Stages may be weighted differently in the total score (higher round-count stages may have a higher weight).
Typically shot on paper or cardboard for scoring zones at closer ranges, with steel targets given a set point value (ie 5 points per steel hit)
Comparing the Two Systems
Feature | Time Plus | Hit Factor |
Focus | Accuracy and penalty avoidance | Speed/accuracy balance |
Score Representation | Total time after penalties | Ratio of points per second |
Winner | Lowest time | Highest hit factor |
Stage Impact | Equal stage weight (usually) | Stages can be weighted by points |
Strategy | Go smooth and avoid mistakes | Push pace when shots are clean |
Used in | 3-Gun, 2-Gun, Quantified Performance | USPSA, Steel Challenge, PCSL, IPSC |
How Scoring Affects Shooter Mindset
Understanding how scoring impacts your match can help fine-tune your approach:
In Time Plus, it's often better to take an extra half-second to guarantee a clean hit.
In Hit Factor, shaving a second can boost your score if you maintain decent hits—so aggressive movement and shooting often pay off.
Mental errors and risk-taking are punished more heavily in Time Plus, while calculated aggression is often rewarded in Hit Factor.
There’s no one-size-fits-all scoring system in shooting sports. Time Plus favors methodical, consistent shooters who prioritize clean runs, while Hit Factor challenges shooters to walk the razor's edge between speed and accuracy. Knowing the scoring method for your match can dramatically change your approach, and ultimately, your match placement.
Whether you're dialing in your stage plan or planning a championship run, understanding how scoring works is key to building the best strategy.
