Rifle Shooting teaches safe, responsible firearm handling and marksmanship. You'll learn the safety rules first, then build your skills on the range with a certified instructor. It takes focus, patience, and respect.
Why it's worth it
Marksmanship is about control: steady breathing, a still body, a focused mind, and absolute respect for safety rules. Those habits carry into sports, tests, and anything that takes calm under pressure. This badge teaches you to handle a rifle safely and responsibly on a supervised range, and it can lead to competitive shooting at the high school, college, and even Olympic level. It's also a foundation if your family hunts or you ever work in conservation or law enforcement.
Start this week
- Learn the basic firearm safety rules this week and be ready to say them from memory: treat every gun as loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Rifle Shooting counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Ask your Scoutmaster which summer camp or council range offers this badge, since the shooting has to happen under certified supervision.
- Talk with your parent or guardian about the badge and any questions or family rules about firearms.
Stay safe
- All shooting happens on an approved range under a certified instructor and range safety officer, following Scouting America's shooting sports rules.
- Wear eye and ear protection every time, and obey range commands instantly.
- If you ever find a firearm outside the range, don't touch it. Leave the area and tell an adult right away.
Requirements · 3
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
Note: Requirement 2 must be done with a certified NRA rifle instructor and a certified range safety officer at a nationally authorized camp or a commercial range, as defined in the National Range and Target Activities Manual.
- Requirement 1
Safety, laws, and resources
Tips for this section: Learn the safety rules until you know them by heart, and always wear eye and ear protection on the range.
Example for this section: Explain the safety rules and what each prevents, the range commands like "cease fire," why rifles are stored unloaded and locked with ammunition stored separately, and why eye and ear protection are worn every time.
- Requirement 1a
Explain what a projectile is, and why anything that fires one at high speed needs careful, respectful handling and should be used only where approved
- Requirement 1b
Explain the basic safe gun-handling rules that apply to every firearm
- Requirement 1c
Describe how you'd respond if a friend at your house asked to see a gun that belongs to you or your family
Tip: Talk with your family about what responsible gun handling means at home, on the range, and in the field.
For example: Practice what you'd say if a friend at your house asked to see a gun that belongs to your family: "No, we don't touch those," then change the activity and tell a parent or guardian. Talk about why that's the right call even if your friend pushes.
- Requirement 1d
Explain why eye and hearing protection are needed, the types available, and how to use them
- Requirement 1e
Explain the key points of your community's and state's laws on owning and using guns
- Requirement 1f
Explain how hunting ties in with managing renewable wildlife resources wisely
- Requirement 1g
Pass a state hunter education course or get a copy of your state's hunting laws, then do 1g1 and 1g2
- Requirement 1g1
Explain the key points of your state's hunting laws, including any special rules on guns and ammunition
- Requirement 1g2
List the kinds of wildlife that may be hunted legally in your state
- Requirement 1h
Explain to your counselor the hygiene practices to follow while shooting
- Requirement 1i
Find local places where you can take part in or join range and target activities
- Requirement 1j
Discuss with your counselor a list of places you could contact to learn about firearms and how to use them
- Requirement 2
Shooting option. Choose 1 of 3
Tips for this section: Work with your certified range supervisor and practice your position and breathing to improve your shots.
Example for this section: On the range with a certified instructor, practice one position at a time. Focus on breathing out and pausing before a slow, steady trigger squeeze, and keep notes on each target so you can see your groups tighten.
- Requirement 2a
Option A: modern cartridge rifle
- Requirement 2a1
Identify a rifle's three main parts and tell how each works
- Requirement 2a2
Identify and demonstrate the rules for storing and handling a rifle safely
- Requirement 2a3
Identify the two kinds of cartridges, their parts, and how they work
- Requirement 2a4
Explain to your counselor what misfires, hangfires, and squib fires are and what to do for each
- Requirement 2a5
Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of rifle shooting: aiming, controlling your breath, your hold, and the trigger, and follow-through
- Requirement 2a6
Show you have the knowledge, skill, and attitude to shoot a rifle safely on a range, including following range procedures and commands
- Requirement 2a7
Explain the basic safety rules for rifle cleaning and name the materials you need
- Requirement 2a8
Demonstrate cleaning a rifle correctly and safely
- Requirement 2a9
Discuss what you would think about when choosing a rifle
- Requirement 2a10
With a bolt-action .22 rimfire rifle at 50 feet, shooting from a benchrest or a supported prone position, fire five 3-shot groups that a quarter can touch, then use them to explain how to zero a rifle by adjusting its sights
- Requirement 2a11
Adjust sights to center your group and shoot five 5-shot groups (if the instructor says adjusting isn't practical, explain it instead and shoot five 5-shot groups a quarter can touch). Minimum score per shot: A-32 target 9; A-17 or TQ-1 target 7; A-36 target 5. Other suitable NRA targets may be used
- Requirement 2b
Option B: air rifle (BB or pellet)
- Requirement 2b1
Identify an air rifle's three main parts and explain how each works
- Requirement 2b2
Identify and demonstrate the rules for storing and handling an air rifle safely
- Requirement 2b3
Identify the two most common kinds of air rifle ammunition
- Requirement 2b4
Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of air rifle shooting: aiming, controlling your breath, your hold, and the trigger, and follow-through
- Requirement 2b5
Show you have the knowledge, skill, and attitude to shoot safely on a range, including following range procedures and commands
- Requirement 2b6
Explain the basic safety rules for air rifle cleaning and name the materials you need
- Requirement 2b7
Demonstrate cleaning an air rifle correctly and safely
- Requirement 2b8
Discuss what you would think about when choosing an air rifle
- Requirement 2b9
With a BB gun (15 feet) or pellet rifle (33 feet), from a benchrest or supported prone position, shoot five 3-shot groups that a quarter can touch
- Requirement 2b10
Adjust sights to center your group and shoot five 5-shot groups (if adjusting isn't practical, explain it and shoot five 5-shot groups a quarter can touch). Minimum per shot: BB at 15 ft/5 m on TQ-5, 8; pellet at 25 ft on TQ-5, 8; pellet at 33 ft/10 m on AR-1, 6. Other suitable NRA targets OK
- Requirement 2c
Option C: muzzleloading rifle
- Requirement 2c1
Discuss with your counselor a short history of how muzzleloading rifles developed
- Requirement 2c2
Identify the main parts of a muzzleloading rifle and discuss what each does
- Requirement 2c3
Identify and demonstrate the rules for storing and handling a muzzleloading rifle safely
- Requirement 2c4
Identify the grades of black powder and explain how to use each correctly and safely
- Requirement 2c5
Discuss safe procedures for storing black powder
- Requirement 2c6
Discuss the right components of a load
- Requirement 2c7
Identify the correct steps and accessories for loading a muzzleloading rifle safely
- Requirement 2c8
Identify why a muzzleloader might fail to fire, and explain misfires, hangfires, and squib fires. Explain and demonstrate how to prevent them and what to do for each
- Requirement 2c9
Show you have the knowledge, skill, and attitude to shoot a muzzleloading rifle safely on a range, including following range procedures and commands
- Requirement 2c10
Explain the basic safety rules for muzzleloader cleaning and name the materials you need
- Requirement 2c11
Demonstrate cleaning a muzzleloading rifle correctly and safely
- Requirement 2c12
Discuss what you would think about when choosing a muzzleloading rifle
- Requirement 2c13
With a .45 or .50 caliber muzzleloader at 50 feet, shooting from a benchrest or a supported prone position, fire three 3-shot groups small enough for the base of a standard soft drink can to cover
- Requirement 2c14
Adjust sights to center your group and shoot three 5-shot groups (if adjusting isn't practical, explain it and shoot three 5-shot groups a soft drink can base covers). Minimum per shot: 25 yards on NRA A-23 or NMLRA 50-yard target, 7; 50 yards on NRA A-25 or NMLRA 100-yard target, 7. Other NRA targets OK
- Requirement 3
Identify how the safe, responsible firearm skills from this badge could lead to a career or hobby. Research the extra training, experience, costs, and organizations involved, then discuss what you learned and your short- and long-term goals with your counselor
Tip: Look into youth programs, like a 4-H shooting sports club or a high school or college rifle team, and think about goals you could set for the next year and beyond.
For example: Explore a path like competitive smallbore or air rifle shooting: find a local club or junior program, what coaching and equipment cost, and what you'd like to reach in a year. Or look into a job like range safety officer, conservation officer, or gunsmith and the training each takes.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A council camp shooting sports range
Certified instructors run the range, provide equipment, and can teach and test the shooting requirements.
How: Ask your Scoutmaster about summer camp or council shooting sports weekends, and sign up with your troop.
A youth marksmanship match
Watching junior shooters compete shows you positions, scoring, and how athletes prepare.
How: A parent can look up junior programs or matches through a state shooting association and ask whether spectators are welcome.
Where it can lead
- Conservation officerEnforces wildlife laws and teaches hunter safety; firearm skills are part of the job.
- Range safety officer or instructorRuns ranges and teaches safe shooting; trained through certification courses.
- GunsmithRepairs and adjusts firearms; often trained at a technical school.
- Law enforcement officerTrains regularly in firearm safety and marksmanship.
- Military marksmanship instructorTeaches service members to shoot safely and accurately.
Ask yourself
- Why do you think the safety rules are written the way they are?
- What happens to your shot when you're nervous or rushing, and what helps you settle?
- How did your groups change from your first targets to your last?
- What does being responsible with a firearm mean to you outside the range?
- How could the focus you practiced here help in sports, school, or tests?
Good questions to ask your range instructor or counselor
- What's the most common mistake new shooters make, and how do you fix it?
- How do you stay focused and calm during a match?
- Which shooting position is best to start with, and why?
- How do young shooters get into competitive programs?
- What should I do if I ever find a gun somewhere unexpected?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- Hold all shooting activities at an approved range with a certified instructor.
- Summer camp ranges are a great place for scouts to work on this badge.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- Council camp shooting sports staff — Certified instructors and supervised ranges.
- National Rifle Association (opens in a new tab) — Firearm safety education and training programs.
- Scouting America (opens in a new tab) — Official requirements and program updates.
- Scouting America Shooting Sports (opens in a new tab) — How Scouting runs range activities and who can supervise them.
- USA Shooting (opens in a new tab) — The national governing body for Olympic shooting, including junior programs.
- Civilian Marksmanship Program (opens in a new tab) — Junior marksmanship programs, safety training, and youth competitions.
- International Hunter Education Association (opens in a new tab) — Find hunter education courses and learn about safe, ethical hunting.
Pairs well with
Into this? Explore more
Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.