Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge

Three requirements, with the ten explanations of requirement 1 drawn as steps and the supervised range work of requirement 2 drawn as a question of two options (modern shotshell or muzzleloading), every part of the chosen option shown and the shooting skill rules quoted on the score.

4 steps (35 parts inside them). 25 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the question at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering one question will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 4

1 step

1. Safety, the law, hunting and shotgun sports Requirement

Ten parts, (a) to (j), explained, described or discussed with your counselor.
10 parts

Stage 2 of 4

1 step

2. Shoot under certified supervision. Do ONE option Requirement

Under a certified NRA Shotgun instructor and a certified range safety officer, at a nationally authorized camp property or a commercial firearm range. The badge states the choice: a modern shotshell shotgun or a muzzleloading shotgun.

The condition is in the requirement itself: "Working under the supervision of a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) Shotgun instructor and a certified range safety officer, at a nationally authorized camp property or at a commercial firearm range (as defined in the Scouting America National Range and Target Activities Manual)". It applies to whichever option you choose.
25 parts
- 2(a). Option A, Shotgun Shooting (Modern Shotshell Type) Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(1). The principal parts of a shotgun, its action types, and how they function Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(2). Rules for safely storing and handling a shotgun Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(3). The parts of a shotgun shell and their functions Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(4). Shotgun gauges, and which you would choose Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(5). Failure to fire: misfire, hangfire and squib fire Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(6). Shoot a shotgun safely on a range Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(7). Safety rules for cleaning a shotgun, and the materials needed Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(8). Clean a shotgun properly and safely Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(9). What to consider in selecting a shotgun Optional May not apply
- 2(a)(10). Hit at least 12 out of 25 moving targets, in two 25-target groups Optional May not apply From the shooting skill rules: "Scores may be fired at any time, either in formal competition or in practice, but only under approved supervision and at an approved range as noted in the Scouting America National Range and Target Activities Manual." "Modern, age-appropriate, target shotgun models, 12-, 16- or 20-gauge, may be used." "Only commercially manufactured ammunition may be used. Reloads may not be used in Scouting America range and target activities."
- 2(b). Option B, Muzzleloading Shotgun Shooting Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(1). A brief history of the muzzleloading shotgun Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(2). The principal parts of muzzleloading shotguns, and how they function Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(3). Rules for safely storing and handling a muzzleloading shotgun Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(4). The grades of black powder, and their proper and safe use Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(5). Safety procedures for black powder storage Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(6). The proper components of a load Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(7). Procedures and accessories for safely loading Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(8). Failure to fire: misfire, hangfire and squib fire Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(9). Shoot a muzzleloading shotgun safely on a range Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(10). Safety rules for cleaning a muzzleloading shotgun, and the materials needed Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(11). Clean a muzzleloading shotgun properly and safely Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(12). What to consider in selecting a muzzleloading shotgun Optional May not apply
- 2(b)(13). Hit at least 5 out of 15 moving targets in each of two 15-target groups Optional May not apply From the shooting skill rules: "Scores may be fired at any time, either in formal competition or in practice, but only under approved supervision and at an approved range as noted in the Scouting America National Range and Target Activities Manual." "A 10 gauge or smaller muzzleloading rifle in appropriate size for the participant may be used. Matchlock, wheellock, or flintlock firearms are not approved."

Stage 3 of 4

1 step

3. Safe and responsible firearms use as a career or hobby Requirement

How you could apply what you learned to a career or a personal hobby: the training, experience, expenses and organizations involved. Discuss it with your counselor, with your short- and long-term goals.

Stage 4 of 4

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Safety, the law, hunting and shotgun sports, 2. Shoot under certified supervision. Do ONE option and 3. Safe and responsible firearms use as a career or hobby.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.