Shotgun and Rifle Merit Badge Workshop

2 day workshop

July 25th and July 27th, 2008

This page is under development - come back often to see more info.

RIFLE MB REQUIREMENTS   Click here for the Rifle Shooting Worksheet.
You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Merit badge pamplets are available at your local Scout Shop or online at ScoutStuff.org.

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain why BB and pellet air guns must always be treated with the same respect as firearms.

   b. Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to see your or your family's firearm(s).

   c. Explain the need for, and use and types of, eye and hearing protection.

   d. Give the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your community and state.

   e. Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife resources.

   f. Obtain a copy of the hunting laws for your state. Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state and give any special laws on the use of guns or ammunition.

   g. Identify and explain how you can join or be a part of shooting sports activities.

   h. Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines used in shooting.

   i. Give to your counselor a list of sources that you could contact for information on firearms and their use.

2. Do ONE of the following options:

   OPTION A--RIFLE SHOOTING (MODERN CARTRIDGE TYPE)

   a. Identify the three main parts of a rifle, and tell how they function.

   b. Identify and demonstrate the three fundamental rules for safe gun handling.

   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. Identify and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle safely.

   f. Identify and explain each rule for safe shooting.

   g. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a rifle from the bench rest position or supported prone position while using the five fundamentals of rifle shooting.

   h. Identify the basic safety rules for cleaning a rifle, and identify the materials needed

   i. Demonstrate how to clean a rifle properly and safely.

   j. Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a rifle

   k. Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle and shooting from a bench rest or supported prone position at 50 feet, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter. Using these targets, explain how to adjust sights to zero.

   l. Adjust sights to center the group on the target* and fire five groups (five shots per group). According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: (1) A-32 targets - 9; (2) A-17 or TQ-1 targets - 7; (3) A-36 targets - 5.

   OPTION B --- AIR RIFLE SHOOTING (BB OR PELLET)

   a. Identify the three main parts of an air rifle, and tell how they function.

   b. Identify and demonstrate the three fundamental rules for handling a rifle safely.

   c. Identify the two most common types of air rifle ammunition.

   d. Identify and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle.

   e. Identify and explain each rule for shooting an air rifle safely.

   f. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to safely shoot a target from the bench rest position or supported prone position while using the five fundamentals of rifle shooting.

   g. Identify the basic safety rules for cleaning an air rifle, and identify the materials needed.

   h. Demonstrate how to clean an air rifle safely.

   i. Discuss what points you would consider in selecting an air rifle.

   j. Using a BB gun or pellet air rifle and shooting from a bench rest or supported prone position at 15 feet for BB guns or 33 feet for air rifles, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter.

   k. Adjust sights to center the group on the target and fire five groups (five shots per group). According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: (1) BB rifle at 15 feet or 5 meters using TQ - 5 targets - 8; (2) Pellet air rifle at 25 feet using TQ - 5 target - 8, at 33 feet or 10 meters using AR-1 targets - 6.

   OPTION C --- MUZZLE - LOADING RIFLE SHOOTING

   a. Discuss a brief history of the development of muzzle-loading rifles.

   b. Identify principal parts of percussion and flintlock rifles and discuss how they function.

   c. Demonstrate and discuss the safe handling rules of muzzle-loading rifles.

   d. Identify the various grades of black powder and their proper use.

   e. Discuss proper safety procedures pertaining to black powder use and storage.

   f. Discuss proper components of a load.

   g. Identify proper procedures and accessories used for loading a muzzle-loading rifle.

   h. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a muzzle-loading rifle on a range, including range procedures.

   i. Shoot a target with a muzzle-loading rifle using the five fundamentals of firing the shot.

   j. Identify the materials needed to clean a muzzle- loading rifle safely. Using these materials, demonstrate how to clean a muzzle-loading rifle safely.

   k. Identify the causes of a muzzle-loading rifle's failing to fire and explain or demonstrate proper correction procedures.

   l. Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a muzzle-loading rifle.

   m. Using a muzzle-loading rifle of any caliber and shooting from a bench rest or supported prone position, fire three groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by the base of a standard-size soft soft drink can.

   n. Center the group on the target and fire three groups (five shots per group). According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: (1) at 25 yards using NRA A-23 or NMLRA 50-yard targets - 7; (2) at 50 yards using NRA A-25 or NMLRA 100 yard targets - 7.

* Note: It is not always practical to adjust the sights (i.e. when using a borrowed fixed-sight rifle). For requirement 2l, you may demonstrate your ability to use the shooting fundamentals by shooting five shot groups (five shots per group) in which all shots can be covered by or touch a quarter and then explain how to adjust the sights to zero the rifle.

SHOTGUN MB REQUIREMENTS  Click here for the Shotgun Shooting Worksheet.
You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Merit badge pamplets are available at your local Scout Shop or online at ScoutStuff.org.

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain why BB and pellet air guns must always be treated with the same respect as firearms.

   b. Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to see your or your family's firearm(s).

   c. Explain the need for and use and types of eye and hearing protection.

   d. Explain the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your community and state.

   e. Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife resources.

   f. 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 give 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.

   g. Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines used in shooting.

   h. Identify and explain three shotgun sports. Identify places in your community where you could shoot these sports and explain how you can join or be a part of shooting sports activities.

   i. Give your counselor a list of sources that you could contact for information on firearms and their use.

2. Do ONE of the following options:

   OPTION A: SHOTGUN SHOOTING (MODERN SHOTSHELL TYPE)

   a. Identify the principal parts of a shotgun, action types, and how they function.

   b. Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely handling a shotgun.

   c. Identify the parts of a shotgun shell and their functions.

   d. Identify the various gauges of shotguns. Explain which one you would pick for use and why.

   e. Identify and explain the fundamentals of safely shooting a shotgun.

   f. Explain what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire are, and explain the procedures to follow in response to each.

   g. Identify and explain each rule for safely shooting a shotgun.

   h. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot moving targets, using the fundamentals of shotgun shooting.

   i. Identify the materials needed to clean a shotgun.

   j. Demonstrate how to clean a shotgun safely.

   k. Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a shotgun.

   l. Shooting score required: Hit at least 12 (48 percent) out of 25 targets in two 25-target groups. The two groups need not be shot in consecutive order.

   Shooting skill rules:

   • Targets may be thrown by a hand trap, manual mechanical, or on any trap or skeet field. Note: If using a hand trap or manual mechanical trap, the trap operator should be at least five feet to the right and three feet to the rear of the shooter. If throwing left-handed with a hand trap this should be reversed.
   • All targets should be thrown at a reasonable speed and in the same direction.
   • Targets should be generally thrown so as to climb in the air after leaving the trap.
   • Scores may be fired at any time, either in formal competition or in practice.
   • Any gauge shotgun not exceeding 12 gauge may be used.
   • Standard clay targets customarily used for trap and skeet are to be used.
   • Any ammunition, either factory or hand loaded, may be used.
   • Shooters must shoot in rounds of 25. Rounds need not be shot continuously or on the same day (the term "round" refers to a single series of 25 shots).
   • If using a trap field, shoot station 3 with traps set to throw straightaway targets.
   • If using a skeet field, shoot station 7 low house.

   OPTION B: MUZZLE-LOADING SHOTGUN SHOOTING

   a. Discuss a brief history of the development of the muzzle-loading shotgun.

   b. Identify principal parts of percussion and flintlock shotguns and discuss how they function.

   c. Demonstrate and discuss safe handling rules of a muzzle-loading shotgun.

   d. Identify the various grades of black powder and their proper use.

   e. Discuss proper safety procedures pertaining to black powder use and storage.

   f. Discuss proper components of a load.

   g. Identify proper procedures and accessories used for loading a muzzle-loading shotgun.

   h. Demonstrate knowledge, skill, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a muzzle-loading shotgun on a range, including range procedures.

   i. Shoot a moving target with a muzzle-loading shotgun using the five fundamentals of firing the shot.

   j. Identify the materials needed to clean a muzzle-loading shotgun properly and safely.

   k. Demonstrate how to clean a muzzle-loading shotgun safely.

   l. Identify the causes of a muzzle-loading shotgun's failing to fire and explain or demonstrate proper correction procedures.

   m. Discuss what points you would consider if selecting a muzzle-loading shotgun.

   n. Shooting score required: "Hit at least five out of 15 targets. The two groups need not be shot in consecutive order.

   Shooting skill rules:

   • Targets may be thrown by a hand trap, manual mechanical, or on any trap or skeet field. Note: If using a hand trap or manual mechanical trap, the trap operator should be at least five feet to the right and three feet to the rear of the shooter. If throwing left-handed with a hand trap this should be reversed.
   • All targets should be thrown at a reasonable speed and in the same direction.
   • Targets should be generally thrown so as to climb in the air after leaving the trap.
   • Scores may be fired at any time, either in formal competition or in practice.
   • Any gauge shotgun not exceeding 10 gauge may be used.
   • Standard clay targets customarily used for trap and skeet are to be used.
   • On a standard trap field, the shooter should be positioned 8 yards behind the trap house. The trap should be set to throw only straightaway targets
   • If using a skeet field, shoot station 7 low house.