MatchChaser Blog

The New 26-Series Trial Classifiers (and Why They Do Not Count Yet)

June 27, 2026 · MatchChaser

You may have shot a classifier coded 26-something recently and wondered why it does not show up in your classification. That is by design — the 26-series are trial classifiers.

What a trial classifier is

When USPSA introduces new classifiers, it first runs them as trials to collect data across the country. During that window they have no official High Hit Factor, so there is no 100% bar to measure your run against — and they do not count toward classification.

Why the data-collection period exists

Setting a fair HHF requires a large sample of real scores across divisions and skill levels. The trial period gathers exactly that. Once USPSA has enough data, it publishes the HHFs and the classifiers graduate to active — at which point new scores on them start to count.

Shoot them anyway

Trial classifiers are still worth shooting: they are good practice, and your scores become part of the dataset that calibrates the eventual HHF. Just do not expect them to nudge your class this season.

How MatchChaser handles them

Related reading: What a High Hit Factor (HHF) is · How USPSA classification works

MatchChaser flags the 26-series as Trial in the classifier catalog and deliberately leaves their scores out of your calculated class and projections — so a trial stage can never quietly move your numbers. When USPSA finalizes the HHFs, they flip to active automatically. Browse the catalog.

Stop doing the classifier math by hand.

MatchChaser tracks your best 6 of 8, computes every percentage against the current HHF, and shows the exact hit factor you need for your next class — free during beta.

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