This section is
under construction! It is only intended
as a supplement to help you with completing your Rifle Shooting MB
requirements. A Muzzle loading section
will be added soon.
You can download a great worksheet to help you at this link to Meritbadge.com (MS Word Format):
http://meritbadge.com/files/mb-docs/Rifle%20Shooting.doc
You can download a great worksheet to help you at this link to Meritbadge.com (Adobe PDF Format):
http://meritbadge.com/files/mb-pdfs/Rifle%20Shooting.pdf
RIFLE SHOOTING
- Do the following:
- Explain why BB and pellet air guns must always be treated with the same respect as firearms.
- Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to see your or your family's firearm(s).
- Explain the need, use, and types of eye and ear protection.
- Give the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your community and state.
- Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife resources.
- Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state and give any special laws on the use of guns or ammunition.
- List the kinds of wildlife that can be legally hunted in your state.
- Identify and explain the rifle sports shot in the Olympic Games. Identify places in your community where you could shoot these sports.
- List the 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)
- Identify the principal parts of a rifle, action types, and how they function.
- Identify and demonstrate the three rules for handling a rifle safely.
- Identify rifle ammunition parts and their function.
- Identify seven different calibers of rifle ammunition. Explain which one you would use and why.
- Identify and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle.
- Identify and explain each rule for shooting a rifle safely.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skill and attitude necessary to safely shoot a target from the bench rest position, using the five fundamentals of rifle shooting.
- Identify the materials needed to clean a rifle.
- Demonstrate how to clean a rifle safely.
- Demonstrate the standing, kneeling, prone, and sitting positions.
- Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a rifle.
- Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle and shooting from a bench rest (supported) position at 50 feet, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter. 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:
- A-32 targets -- 9
- A-17 or TQ-1 targets -- 8,
- A-36 targets -- 6.
Option B -- Air
Rifle Shooting
(BB or Pellet)
- Identify the principal parts of an air rifle, action types, and how they function.
- Identify and demonstrate the three rules for handling a rifle safely.
- Identify various types of air rifle ammunition.
- Identify different calibers of air rifle ammunition.
- Identify and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle.
- Identify and explain each rule for shooting an air rifle safely.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skill, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a target from the bench rest position, using the five fundamentals of rifle shooting.
- Identify the materials needed to clean an air rifle.
- Demonstrate how to clean an air rifle safely.
- Demonstrate the standing, kneeling, prone, and sitting positions.
- Discuss what points you would consider in selecting an air rifle.
- Using a BB or pellet air rifle and shooting from a bench rest (supported) position, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter. 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:
- BB rifle at 15 feet or 5 meters using TQ-5 targets -- 8;
- 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
- Discuss a brief history of the development of muzzle-loading rifles.
- Identify principal parts of percussion and flintlock rifles and discuss how they function.
- Demonstrate and discuss the safe handling rules of muzzle-loading rifles.
- Identify the various grades of black powder and their proper use.
- Discuss proper safety procedures pertaining to black powder use and storage.
- Discuss proper components of a load.
- Identify proper procedures and accessories used for loading a muzzle-loading rifle.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skill, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a muzzle-loading rifle on a range, including range procedure.
- Shoot a target with a muzzle-loading rifle using the five fundamentals of firing the shot.
- Identify the materials needed to clean a muzzle-loading rifle safely.
- Demonstrate how to clean a muzzle-loading rifle safely.
- Identify the causes of a muzzle-loading rifle's failing to fire and explain or demonstrate proper correction procedures.
- Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a muzzle-loading rifle.
- Using a muzzle-loading rifle of any caliber and shooting from a bench rest (supported) position, fire three groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by the base of a standard-size soft drink can. 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:
- at 50 feet using NRA A-23 or NMLRA 50-yard targets -- 8;
- at 50 yards using NRA A-25 or NMLRA 100-yard targets -- 8.
BSA Advancement ID#: 123
Pamphlet Revision Date: 1990
Source: Boy Scout Requirements Y2K, #33215D, revised 2001
Rifle Shooting
Merit Badge Supplement
Index
Safety, safety, safety (Req. 1a & b)
Protecting Sight and Sound (Req. 1c)
Gun Laws (Florida) (Req. 1d)
Hunting (Florida) (Req. 1e, f, & g)
Some Olympic Shooting Events (Req. 1h)
Information
Contacts (Req. 1j)
The Rifle
Golden rules (Option A--Req. 2b & f)
Major Components (Option A--Req. 2a)
Ammunition (Option A--Req. 2c & d)
The 5 Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting (Option A--Req. 2e)
Shooting position
Shot preparation
Sight picture control
Trigger control
Follow through
Shooting
Positions (Option A--Req. 2j)
Cleaning Your Rifle (Option A--Req.
2i)
Selecting a Rifle (Option A--Req.
2k)
Safety, Safety, Safety
Anything we use in Scouting can be harmful if it is misused. A baseball bat can cause harm if it is misused. The same can be said about the knives or axes we use to earn our Totin’ Chip. Let common sense and proper training be your guide. You were not allowed to use or carry a knife in Scouts without proper training, so the same should hold true for anything you use in shooting sports.
Sometimes, people may think that BB and pellet air guns don’t need to be treated with the same respect as firearms. NO WAY! Just as a baseball bat can injure someone if it is misused, any BB or pellet gun can too. Always treat any BB or pellet gun as if it were loaded and ready to fire.
Always, always, always, treat firearms as if they were loaded and ready to fire. If a friend wants to see your family’s firearms, you’ve got to ask yourself why. Firearms are not toys to share with friends. Never assume that, just because a firearm is put away, it is unloaded. Why would anyone ever want to risk harming a friend just to show off a firearm?
Just like you would do with woodworking or racquetball, you want to protect your eyes while you shoot. Since using a firearm produces noise, you want to protect yourself from that too.
There are many types of eye protection available. Always make sure you use impact resistant type protection. You will see that many shooting glasses are yellow in color, although they do not have to be.
Hearing protection can be through the use of earplugs or earmuffs. Some ranges may require the use of both. Plugs that conform to the shape of your ear offer a higher level of protection than harder plastic types. Earmuffs come in many styles and protection levels. The higher the “dB level”, the more protection you can expect.
The following excerpts of Florida Law are by no means comprehensive, and are intended only to serve as a guide for a Scout to “give the main points of the laws for owning and using guns” in the Scout’s community and state.
The State of Florida, in order to establish a uniform state-wide system, prohibits county, city or other local jurisdiction laws concerning firearms, except for certain county "gun show ordinances".
The State of Florida does not require a license or permit to purchase a firearm (rifle, shotgun or handgun) from a gun dealer; however an "instant background check" with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will be conducted. If approved, you may take a rifle or shotgun home immediately. You must wait 3 days to take home a pistol.
You must be at least 18 to purchase a rifle or shotgun, 21 for a handgun. You must be a resident of Florida with valid identification (normally a Florida Driver License).
It is a crime if you to knowingly transfer a firearm to an under-aged person, or to a person who you know to be otherwise disqualified.
The State of Florida does not require firearms to be registered.
You can be charged with a crime if you keep a loaded firearm in a place where you know, or should have known, that an under-aged person could get to it. This becomes a crime if the under-aged person does acquire the firearm, and harms either him/herself, or someone else with it, either intentionally or accidentally.
Hunting
Sometimes animals reproduce at a rate faster than the surrounding habitat is able to support. Hunting provides a valuable control on overpopulation. License fees help support many conservation efforts.
There are many species that can be legally hunted in Florida. These species include deer, turkeys, wild hogs, quail, gray squirrel, and rabbits.
Laws
Florida’s hunting laws may be found at the State’s official web site: http://wld.fwc.state.fl.us/hunting/default.html
As a youth, you must take a hunter safety course, and have your card in your possession, if you intend to hunt in the state of Florida. This is the law that covers that requirement:
Florida Statute 372.5717, Hunter
Safety Course.
(2) A person born on or after June 1, 1975, may not be issued a license to take
wild animal life with the use of a firearm, gun, bow, or crossbow in this state
without having first successfully completed a hunter safety course as provided
in this section and without having in his or her possession a hunter safety
certification card, as provided in this section.
Alabama’s hunting Laws may be found at this official site: http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/agfd/hunt.html
Georgia’s hunting Laws may be found at this official site: http://www.georgiamagazine.com/outdoors/hunting/
There are many shooting sports competitions during the Olympics. Here is a list of some of them; the first three are rifle sports:
Air Rifle (men's and women's events)
Shooters stand at a firing line 10 meters from the target. The bullseye on the target just 0.5mm in diameter! The shooter must fire without a scope or artificial support.
Smallbore Rifle (men's and women's events)
Shooters fire from prone, standing and kneeling positions at a firing line that is 50 meters from the target. They use .22 caliber LR guns pretty much like Scouts use. The target’s bullseye is just 10.4 mm in diameter.
Running Target (men's event)
The shooter fires at a moving target 10 meters away. The shooter has to mount the rifle and shoot the target 15 times in each direction at a slow run, and then again at a fast run.
Air Pistol (men's and women's events)
Shooters stand at a firing line 10 meters from the target. Now, the pistol they use takes 500g of trigger pressure to fire. That’s over a pound of pressure to fire! They have to fire 60 shots.
Free Pistol (men's event)
Shooters fire at a target 50 meters away. They use .22 caliber single-shot pistols.
Rapid Fire Pistol (men's event)
Shooters fire on command or as soon as the target appears. Each shooter use a .22 caliber pistol to fire five shots at five separate targets. Timings to shoot decrease from 8 seconds between shots all the way down to down to only 4 seconds.
Sport Pistol (women's event)
Shooters must combine both precision and timed fire in two stages. They use .22 caliber pistols to shoot at a 25-meter target.
Trap (men's and women's events)
The shooter stands with gun mounted and calls for a target. A fast moving target is thrown away from the shooter from one of three concealed trap launchers 15 meters in front of them. The shooter doesn’t know which launcher will throw the target. The target could be flying high or low, from the left, the right or the center. The shooter uses five different shooting stations and a round consists of five targets from each shooting station. Men shoot three rounds first day, two the second, with a final round for the top 6 shooters.
Double Trap (men's and women's events)
The shooter stands with gun mounted and calls for a pair of targets. The shooter has to hit both targets from 5 stations. Spacing and pattern of the targets varies. Competition consists of three rounds, with a final round for the top six shooters.
Skeet (men's and women's events)
The shooter starts from the gun ready position and shoots at targets that fly across the range. The shooter mounts the gun and swings to intercept the target and shoot it, anticipating the target’s track. There are eight shooting stations and the shooter fires at doubles flying in opposite directions.
More information on how you could become an Olympic Shooting Sport athlete can be found at The National Association of Shooting Sports Athlete web site: http://www.nassa.org/
The US Olympic Shooting team site can be found at: http://www.usashooting.com/usashooting.html
Here are some places locally where you may shoot these sports:
Hurlburt Field Rifle & Pistol Club http://www.hfrpc.org/
Shoal River Sporting Clays, Inc. http://www.shoalriver.com/
Pensacola Rifle & Pistol Club http://www.pensacolarifleandpistolclub.com/
National Rifle Association http://www.mynra.com/
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association http://www.nmlra.org/
Before we begin, there are 3 rules
you need to memorize before you ever handle a gun. These simple rules are the most important lesson in ANY gun
safety course. You will be expected to
repeat them to your instructor before you will be allowed to handle any gun,
Always keep the gun
pointed in a safe direction.
Always keep your finger
off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Always keep the gun
unloaded until ready to use.
Additional Rules:
Before you attempt to handle any gun, do everyone a favor--learn how to safely use a gun. Get proper instruction from a certified instructor.
Always make sure the gun you use is in good safe operating condition.
Don’t mix ammunition types! Make sure your ammunition is made for your type of gun.
Always wear eye and ear protection. We want you to be able to hear the birdies sing after you shoot.
Know your target and what lies beyond your target.
Use common sense, drugs or alcohol affect your judgment. No one in their right mind would ever use drugs or alcohol before or during any shooting activity. Keep in mind some prescription drugs you may be required to take can affect your judgment. If in doubt, ask your instructor.
Make sure
you store your gun in a safe and secure area.
Be certain that only trained individuals can access the gun. Especially make sure the storage location is
child proof!
PARTS OF A
RIFLE:
Maybe
you’ve heard of the phrase, “Lock, Stock and Barrel”, sort of like saying the
entire thing. Well, those are the major
components of a gun. The “Lock” refers
to the Matchlock, Wheel lock,
Flintlock, and Percussion Lock guns of days gone by. You can learn more about these Muzzleloading rifles if you
explore the Muzzleloading option of Rifle Shooting Merit Badge. Well, times have changed though, and we now
call the Lock the “Action”.
Want an easy way to remember? Just think BSA—Barrel, Stock, Action!
Now let’s break down these components into their basic parts:
Stock
Butt This is the part that fits
against your shoulder. It’s the rear
part of the stock. On many guns, the
Butt Pad will cover the Butt to cushion the rifle against your shoulder.
Comb This is where you will
rest your cheek. This is the top
portion of the stock
Grip This is where you grasp
the stock with your hand.
Fore-end This is where your
non-shooting hand supports the rifle.
This part extends underneath the barrel. It is called a Forearm if it is a separate piece from the rest of
the stock.
Receiver Where all the other parts
are attached—sort of like the backbone.
Bolt/Breech block Holds the cartridge to
fire the gun. This closes the chamber.
Trigger This is what you squeeze
to fire the gun.
Trigger Guard Protects the trigger. Makes the gun less likely to unintentionally
fire.
Magazine Holds the ammunition and
feeds it into the chamber
Safety Reduces the chance of
accidental firing. It is not a
substitute for safe gun handling practices!
Action Release Opens a closed action.
There are many types of Actions:
Bolt-- This is the most common type—as a Boy Scout, it is the type you will most likely use.
Semiautomatic-- Fires a cartridge each time the trigger is squeezed. Boy Scouts may not use these for Scout Shooting unless they are modified to load & fire one shot at a time. (
Pump-- The Forearm is used to “pump” each cartridge into the
chamber. Boy
Scouts may not use this type if it has a tubular magazine. A Clip-type magazine may be used if the gun
is used as single-loader.
Lever-- A lever which normally rests next to the grip is used to load
individual cartridges. Boy Scouts may not use this type
if it has a tubular magazine. A
Clip-type magazine may be used if the gun is used as single-loader.
Hinge-- The Breech is opened like a hinge to load cartridges. You will not find many rifles in this type of design. It is a fairly common design for Shotguns.
Falling Block-- This action uses a breech block to close the chamber. It is opened by using a moveable trigger guard, or a lever, to make the block “fall” down from the barrel. This type of action is single-shot.
Barrel
Bore This is the inside of the barrel. You determine this caliber of the gun by the bore’s diameter
Muzzle This is the front of the gun where the bullet leaves the barrel.
Breech This is where the back of the barrel meets the action.
Chamber You find this on the Breech end. It holds the cartridge when you fire the gun.
Rifling You find this inside of the barrel. It is spiraling in the rifle barrel that gives the round a stabilizing spin, sort of like a football spinning when it is thrown.
You may encounter many types of ammunition while you enjoy shooting. When you work on your Rifle Merit Badge you may only use .22 Long Rifle Rimfire rounds. Of course, if you use air rifles to qualify, you will use the appropriate pellets or BBs. Muzzle loading rifles must not be larger than .50 caliber.
The
4 Parts of a rifle cartridge are the Bullet, Case, Powder, and Primer. The
illustration shows a center-fire cartridge
Bullet This is the part that leaves the barrel and hits the target
Powder This provides the explosive power that propels the bullet
Primer This is the part of the cartridge the firing pin strikes and it ignites the powder.
Case This is the “jacket” that holds the bullet in place, and contains the powder and primer.
Here are some different calibers of rifle ammunition: (Not to scale)
The 5 Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting (Awaiting pictures)
1. Shooting position
2. Shot preparation
3. Sight picture control
4. Trigger control
5. Follow through
Dominant Eye
This is the eye that is stronger and does the most work. This is the eye you should use to aim the gun. Just because you are right handed—it doesn’t mean that you are necessarily right eye dominant. You will need to determine your dominant eye. So, here’s an easy way to determine which is your dominant eye.
With your hands placed together, form a small opening at the “V” where your thumbs meet your hands. Hold your hands with the small opening at arms length and focus on an object in the distance. Now bring your hands back, while still focusing on the object, until your hands touch your face. Whichever eye can still see the object is your dominant eye.
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Shooting Position
This is the way you hold your rifle and your body
while you shoot.
Body Position Positions used for shooting include standing, kneeling, prone, sitting, and bench rest positions. To earn your Merit Badge you need only shoot from the bench rest position; however, you will still need to demonstrate the other four positions listed.
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Rifle Position (Right handed-reverse for left handed shooting) The rifle should be placed snugly against the shoulder so that you can comfortably look through the sights with your dominant eye. The last three fingers of the right hand should grasp the grip of the stock with the thumb resting on top of the grip. This leaves the index finger to squeeze the trigger to the rear. The stock’s fore-end should lightly rest in your left hand. It may be necessary to grasp a large caliber rifle at the fore-end, but a .22 caliber rifle should only rest in your left hand.
Shot Preparation
The
two actions necessary for effective shot preparation are: Aiming &
Breath Control
Aiming This is simply lining the rifle up with the target. You must line up your eye with the rear sight, which must line up with the front sight, which must line up with the target. This is a two step process—sight alignment and sight picture
Sight alignment is lining up your eyes with the rear and front sights. This will vary between open sights and aperture sights.
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Sight picture is taking those aligned sights and lining them up with the target. This will also vary between open sights and aperture sights. The bead or the top edge of the post on the front sight should be focused on the center of the bull’s-eye. When you have the correct sight picture, you should have the front sight clearly defined in focus while the rear sight and target are slightly out of focus.
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Breath
Control This is holding your breath
while you shoot. You move your body
slightly while you breathe, and continuing to breathe while you squeeze the
trigger makes it hard to try to maintain the sight picture. Relax and get comfortable prior to firing a
shot, exhale, and stop breathing. Don’t
hold your breath for more than 6-8 seconds.
If you can’t get a shot of in that time, just take a breath or two,
relax and try again.
Sight Picture Control
This is simply keeping the aligned sights aimed at the center of the target. This is critical. Even if you hold your breath, you may notice the sight picture moving slightly. This movement is normal. The only way to effectively remove this movement is by shooting with the assistance of some type of support—like the bench rest. If you shoot without support, total and consistent concentration on sight picture control must be used to fire effectively. It is only through regular practice that you will be able to improve your sight picture control.
Trigger control
Triggers should never be pulled quickly—squeeze them gently straight back in a smooth, continuous motion while you maintain your sight picture. Each shot should come as a surprise. Gun movement must be kept to a minimum. Place your index finger on the trigger so that the trigger rests halfway between the tip of your finger and the first joint
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Follow through
This is simply keeping breath control, sight picture control, and trigger control until the rifle returns to its normal position after its recoil. Proper follow through limits the chance that a sudden movement, during the split second between the time the rifle is fired and the bullet exits the muzzle, could change the bullet’s path.
Shooting Positions (Coming Soon)
Standing
Kneeling
Prone
Sitting
Cleaning Your Rifle (Coming Soon)
Remember BSA? Barrel, Stock, and Action—these are important while selecting your rifle too. Your barrel length for a Scout-age shooter will generally be between 18-22 inches in length. If your can find a rifle with a universal, adjustable stock you may be able to use it as you grow. In any case, make sure the grip fits your hand and you can properly reach the trigger. Choose a rifle with an action that can be kept open during handling, and allow you to clearly see the chamber and magazine. You want a trigger release pressure greater than 3 pounds. This pressure applies to single-stage triggers and the final stage of two-stage triggers. Your rifle weight should be around 4 1/2 to 6 pounds. An easily adjustable rear sight is important. If you use a scope, an internally adjustable six-power scope with internal adjustments is advisable.