Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge
SHOTGUN 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 for and use and types of eye and hearing protection.
- Explain 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.
- Successfully complete a state hunter education course, or obtain a copy of the hunting laws for your state, then do the following.
- Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state and give any special laws on the use of guns and ammunition, and
- List the kinds of wildlife that can be legally hunted in your state.
- Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines used in shooting.
- 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.
- Give your counselor a list of sources that you could contact for information on firearms and their use.
- Do ONE of the following options:
- Identify the principal parts of a shotgun, action types, and how they function.
- Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely handling a shotgun.
- Identify the parts of a shotgun shell and their functions.
- Identify the various gauges of shotguns. Explain which one you would pick for use and why.
- Identify and explain the fundamentals of safely shooting a shotgun.
- Identify and explain each rule for safely shooting a shotgun.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot moving targets, using the fundamentals of shotgun shooting.
- Identify the materials needed to clean a shotgun.
- Demonstrate how to clean a shotgun safely.
- Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a shotgun.
- 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.
- 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).
- Discuss a brief history of the development of the muzzle-loading shotgun.
- Identify principal parts of percussion and flintlock shotguns and discuss how they function.
- Demonstrate and discuss safe handling rules of a muzzle-loading shotgun.
- 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 muzzleloading shotgun.
- Demonstrate knowledge, skill, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a muzzle-loading shotgun on a range, including range procedures.
- Shoot a moving target with a muzzle-loading shotgun using the five fundamentals of firing the shot.
- Identify the materials needed to clean a muzzle-loading shotgun properly and safely.
- Demonstrate how to clean a muzzle-loading shotgun safely.
- Identify the causes of a muzzle-loading shotgun's failing to fire and explain or demonstrate proper correction procedures.
- Discuss what points you would consider if selecting a muzzle-loading shotgun.
- Shooting score required—Hit at least five out of 15 targets.
- 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.
Shotgun Shooting (Modern Shotshell Type) Option
Shooting skill rules:
Muzzle-Loading Shotgun Shooting Option
Shooting skill rules: