Intermediate
Rifle
Box Drill (Rifle)
Used in: Defensive · IPSC · Military Qualification · Police Qualification
Source: Common competition and defensive training standard. Rifle adaptation of the pistol Box Drill.
4s
Par Time
15 yd
Distance
4
Rounds
5
Reps
20
Total Rounds
The Box Drill is a staple multi-target exercise that forces you to combine two separate skills in one string: precision transitions within a target (body to head) and lateral transitions between targets. Running it with a carbine at 15 yards adds the challenge of managing a longer platform through fast directional changes while maintaining acceptable accuracy on every hit.
Set two IPSC targets roughly 1 meter apart at 15 yards (15 m). Start from low ready, safety on. On the beep: mount the rifle, engage T1 with one round to the body A zone and one round to the head box, then transition to T2 and repeat — one body, one head. Four rounds total, par time 4.0 seconds. The key is not pausing between the body and head shot on the same target — drive the dot straight up and break the shot as it enters the box.
Track two numbers: total time and head box hit rate. A clean run is 4 A zone hits (2 body + 2 head) under 4.0 seconds. Once you are cleaning it consistently, push the par to 3.5 or widen the target spacing to 2 meters. If head shots are falling apart, slow down the transition and own the sight picture before pressing the trigger.
Range Setup
Setup
2x IPSC targets at 15 yd (15 m), spaced approximately 1 meter apart. Rifle with loaded magazine, safety on. Start in low ready position. Shot timer required.
Scoring
1 round body A zone + 1 round head box on each target = 4 hits total.
All 4 hits in correct zones under 4.0 seconds = clean pass.
Any miss on head box = failed rep regardless of time.
Body hits outside A zone = marginal.
Track head box hit rate and total string time per session.
Tips
Treat the body-to-head transition as a single upward push, not two separate aims. The dot should travel a straight line from sternum to forehead — break the shot the instant it enters the head box without stopping to confirm.
Progression
Push par time from 4.0 toward 3.5 seconds with clean hits.
Widen target spacing to 2 meters to increase transition demand.
Reverse the order — start on T2 to break patterning.
Run from standing unsupported, then add kneeling or barricade.
Add a reload between T1 and T2 for a 5-round version.