Rifle Shooting
Resources
- Rifle Shooting Workbook - Air Rifle Shooting (BB or Pellet) Option
- Rifle Shooting Workbook - Muzzleloading Rifle Shooting Option
- Rifle Shooting Workbook - Rifle Shooting (Modern Cartridge Type) Option
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Related
Rifle Shooting Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of March 8, 2025
as of March 8, 2025
1.
Do the following:
a.
Explain what a projectile is, and why any device that shoots a
projectile at high speed must be handled with care and respect, and
used only in approved locations.
b.
Explain the basic rules of safe gun handling that apply to all
firearms.
c.
Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to
see your or your family's firearm.
d.
Explain the need for, types, and use of eye protection and hearing
protection.
e.
Explain the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your
community and state.
f.
Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife
resources.
g.
Successfully complete a state hunter education course, or obtain a copy
of the hunting laws for your state, then do the following.
1.
Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state, and any
special laws on the use of guns and ammunition, AND
2.
List the kinds of wildlife that can be legally hunted in your
state.
h.
Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines followed while
shooting.
i.
Identify places in your community where you can join or be a part of
range and target activities.
j.
Discuss with your counselor a list of sources you could contact for
information on firearms and their use.
2.
Working under the supervision of a certified National Rifle Association
(NRA) Rifle instructor and a certified range safety officer, at a
nationally authorized camp property or at a commercial firearm range (as
defined in the Scouting America National Range and Target Activities
Manual), do ONE of the following options:
A.
Option A: Rifle Shooting (Modern Cartridge Type)
a.
Identify the three main parts of a rifle, and tell how they
b.
Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely storing and handling
a rifle.
c.
Identify the two types of cartridges, their parts, and how they
function.
d.
Explain to your counselor what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire
are, and explain the procedures to follow in response to each.
e.
Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle:
aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control, and
follow-through.
f.
Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely
shoot a rifle on a range, including understanding and following
range procedures and commands.
g.
Explain the basic safety rules for cleaning a rifle, and identify
the materials needed.
h.
Demonstrate how to clean a rifle properly and safely.
i.
Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a rifle.
j.
Using a bolt-action .22 caliber rimfire rifle, and shooting from a
benchrest or supported prone position at 50 feet, fire five groups
(three shots per group) that can be touched by a quarter. Using
these targets, explain how to adjust sights to zero a rifle.
k.
Adjust sights to center the group on the target and fire five
groups (five shots per group). In the event that your instructor
determines it is not practical to adjust the sights -- for
instance, on a borrowed rifle -- you may explain (rather than
doing) how to adjust the sights, and then fire five groups (five
shots per group) in which all shots can be touched by a quarter.
According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the
following minimum score: A-32 targets: 9; A-17 or TQ-1 targets: 7;
A-36 targets: 5.
B.
Option B: Air Rifle Shooting (BB or Pellet)
a.
Identify the three main parts of an air rifle, and explain how they
function.
b.
Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely storing and handling
an air rifle.
c.
Identify the two most common types of air rifle ammunition.
d.
Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting an air
rifle: aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control, and
follow-through.
e.
Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely
shoot on a range, including understanding and following range
procedures and commands.
f.
Explain the basic safety rules for cleaning an air rifle, and
identify the materials needed.
g.
Demonstrate how to clean an air rifle properly and safely.
h.
Discuss what points you would consider in selecting an air rifle.
i.
Using a BB gun or pellet rifle and shooting from a benchrest or
supported prone position at 15 feet for BB guns or 33 feet for
pellet rifles, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be
touched by a quarter.
j.
Adjust sights to center the group on the target and fire five
groups (five shots per group). In the event that your instructor
determines it is not practical to adjust the sights -- for
instance, on a borrowed air rifle -- you may explain (rather than
doing) how to adjust the sights, and then fire five groups (five
shots per group) in which all shots can be touched by a quarter.
According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the
following minimum score: BB rifle at 15 feet (or 5 meters) using
TQ-5 targets: 8; Pellet rifle at 25 feet using TQ-5 targets: 8;
Pellet rifle at 33 feet (or 10 meters) using AR-1 targets: 6.
C.
Option C: Muzzleloading Rifle Shooting
a.
Discuss with your counselor a brief history of the development of
muzzleloading rifles.
b.
Identify principal parts of muzzleloading rifles and discuss how
they function.
c.
Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely storing and handling
a muzzleloading rifle.
d.
Identify the various grades of black powder and explain their
proper and safe use.
e.
Discuss proper safety procedures pertaining to black powder storage.
f.
Discuss proper components of a load.
g.
Identify proper procedures and accessories used for safely loading
a muzzleloading rifle.
h.
Identify the causes of a muzzleloading rifle's failure to fire, and
explain what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire are. Explain and
demonstrate proper preventive measures, and the procedures to
follow in response to each.
i.
Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely
shoot a muzzleloading rifle on a range, including understanding and
following range procedures and commands.
j.
Explain the basic safety rules for cleaning a muzzleloading rifle,
and identify the materials needed.
k.
Demonstrate how to clean a muzzleloading rifle properly and safely.
l.
Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a muzzleloading
rifle.
m.
Using a muzzleloading rifle of .45 or .50 caliber and shooting from
a benchrest or supported prone position, fire three groups (three
shots per group) at 50 feet that can be covered by the base of a
standard-size soft drink can.
n.
Adjust the sights to center the group on the target and fire three
groups (five shots per group). In the event that your instructor
determines it is not practical to adjust the sights -- for
instance, on a borrowed muzzleloading rifle -- you may explain
(rather than doing) how to adjust the sights, and then fire three
groups (five shots per group) in which all shots can be covered by
the base of a standard-size soft drink can. According to the target
used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score:
at 25 yards using NRA A-23 or NMLRA 50-yard targets: 7; at 50 yards
using NRA A-25 or NMLRA 100-yard targets: 7.
3.
Identify how you could apply the skills and knowledge of safe and
responsible use of firearms you learned in this merit badge to pursue a
career or personal hobby. Research the additional training and experience
you would need, expenses you may incur, and the affiliation with
organizations that could help you maximize the positive impact and
enjoyment you gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor,
and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued
this.
