Shotgun Shooting

Shotgun Shooting
BSA Supply No. 33331

A shotgun is a precision instrument, designed to shoot a shot charge in a specific pattern to cover a designated area at a certain distance. Unlike a rifle, the bore of the shotgun is not rifled, so the shot emerging from the muzzle is not spinning.

Requirements

Do the following:
1. Explain why BB and pellet air guns must always be treated with the same respect as firearms.
2. Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to see your or your family's firearm(s).
3. Explain the need for and use and types of eye and hearing protection.
4. Explain the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your community and state.
5. Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife resources.
6. 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.
7. Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines used in shooting.
8. 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.
9. Give your counselor a list of sources that you could contact for information on firearms and their use.
Do ONE of the following options:

Option A—Shotgun Shooting (Modern Shotshell Type)

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.

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).

Option B—Muzzle-Loading Shotgun Shooting

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 muzzle-loading 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.

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.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Management, and Rifle Shooting merit badge pamphlets
Camp Health and Safety, No. 19-308
Camp Program and Property ��Management (section VI, Shooting ��Sports), No. 20-920B
Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416D
Health and Safety Guide, No. 34415B

Books

Bridges, Toby. Muzzleloading. Creative Publishing, 1997.
Brister, Bob. Shotgunning: The Art and the Science. Winchester Press, 1977.
Galan, J. I. Airgun Digest. DBI Books, 1995.
Henderson, David R. Gunsmithing Shotguns: A Basic Guide to Care and Repair. Lyons Press, 2003.
Malloy, John. Complete Guide to Guns and Shooting. DBI Books, 1995.
McIntosh, Michael. Shotguns and Shooting: A Celebration of the Gun. Countrysport Press, 1995.
Meyer, Jerry. The Clay Target Handbook. Lyons Press, 1995.
Migdalski, Tom. The Complete Book of Shotgunning Games. McGraw-Hill, 1998.
Morrow, Tom. The Orvis Field Guide to Shotgun Care and Maintenance. Willow Creek Press, 2000.
Re, Lois. Black's Wing and Clay: The Complete Shotgunner's Guide to Equipment, Instruction, and Destinations. Masters Press, 1999.
Russell, James. Precision Shooting: The Trapshooter's Bible for the Advanced Trapshooter and Those Who Strive to Be. James Russell, 1998.
--------. Trapshooting Secrets. James Russell, 1999.

Organizations and Web Sites

Alco Target Company
Toll-free telephone: 888-258-4814
Web site: http://www.alcotarget.com

Amateur Trapshooting Association
601 W. National Road
Vandalia, OH 45377
Telephone: 937-898-4638
Web site: http://www.shootata.com

American Target Company
Telephone: 303-733-0433
Central Target Company
Toll-free telephone: 800-843-5726
Discover the Outdoors: Shooting Sports
1560 W. 100 Terrace
Lenexa, KS 66219
Telephone: 913-498-3100
Toll-free telephone: 1-866-386-0266
Web site: http://www.dto.com/shooting

Littler Sales Company
Telephone: 313-273-6889
Michaels of Oregon
Toll-free telephone: 800-962-5757
Web site: http://www.michaelsoforegon.com

National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mills Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Telephone: 703-267-1428
Web site: http://www.nra.org

National Shooting Sports Foundation
11 Mile Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
Telephone: 203-426-1320
Web site: http://www.nssf.org

National Skeet Shooting Association
National Sporting Clays Association
5931 Roft Road
San Antonio, TX 78253
Telephone: 210-688-3371
Toll-free telephone: 800-877-5338
Web site: http://www.nssa-nsca.com

National Target Company
Toll-free telephone: 800-827-7060
Web site: http://www.nationaltarget.com

Remington Arms Company Inc.
870 Remington Drive
P.O. Box 700
Madison, NC� 27025-0700
Toll-free telephone: 1-800-243-9700
Web site: http://www.remington.com

Shotgun News Magazine
Primedia Inc.
2 News Plaza
P.O. Box 1790
Peoria, IL 61656
Toll-free telephone: 800-521-2885
Web site: http://www.shotgunnews.com

Shotgun Report
Web site: http://www.shotgunreport.com

Shotgun Sports Magazine
P.O. Box 6810
Auburn, CA 95604
Telephone: 530-889-2220
Web site: http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com

Target Barn Inc.
Telephone: 419-829-2242
The Target Shop
Telephone: 856-358-5140
Trapshooters.com
Web site: http://www.trapshooters.com

U.S. Target Company
Toll-free telephone: 800-746-6836
Web site: http://www.ustargetonline.com

USA Shooting
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Telephone: 719-866-4670
Web site: http://www.usashooting.com