Episode

Season 5, Episode 20: Josh Morgan

Podcast
The Casual Shooter Podcast
Published
Apr 9, 2026
Duration seconds
6414
Processing state
processed
Canonical source
https://casualshooterpodcast.podbean.com/e/season-5-episode-20-josh-morgan/
Audio
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ewff3s4hayjjims5/S5E20.mp3
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Markdown
/podcast/the-casual-shooter-podcast-3524375/season-5-episode-20-josh-morgan.md

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Summary

Grandmaster shooter Josh Morgan discusses the critical importance of shot calling and the mathematical reality of hit factor in USPSA. He shares insights on how technical precision outweighs raw speed when navigating power factor divisions.

Topics

  • USPSA
  • Practical Shooting
  • Hit Factor
  • Shot Calling
  • Power Factor
  • Match Scoring
  • Firearms Training
  • Competitive Shooting

Highlights

  • Main idea: Shot calling is a foundational mechanical skill that many shooters overlook until they realize it is a learnable discipline
  • Practical takeaway: Focus on understanding hit factor math—specifically how time penalties and misses interact—to make better training decisions
  • Failure mode: Relying on 'major power factor slop,' where shooters sacrifice accuracy for speed, often leading to inconsistent scoring
  • Main idea: High-level performance is driven by the ability to express technical skill consistently across all stages
  • Practical takeaway: Building a community and training partners is as essential to long-term progression as physical practice

Chapters

  1. 1:00 The Power of Shot Calling: Josh discusses how identifying shot calling as a specific skill transformed his training and performance.
  2. 9:00 Speed vs. Accuracy in Scoring: An analysis of how the interaction between speed and accuracy dictates the most effective way to win matches.
  3. 25:00 Foundations of USPSA Training: Reflections on early club shooting experiences and the importance of hands-on match experience.
  4. 41:00 The Math of Hit Factor: A deep dive into how stage scoring, penalties, and power factor conversions impact overall rankings.
  5. 58:00 The Major Power Factor Slop: Discussing the tendency for major power factor shooters to sacrifice precision for speed.
  6. 1:30:00 Optimizing Training Decisions: Why understanding the time value of hits and misses is crucial for effective practice sessions.
  7. 1:46:00 Community and Growth: The importance of the shooting community and the value of finding dedicated training partners.