Requirements December 1966 until June 1972

1. Do the following:

1. Explain the meaning of each item in the Shooter's Safety Code; agree to live up to the code.
2. Write two hundred words on "My Responsibility as a Shooter."
3. Explain the general features of the laws governing the use and possession of firearms in your community.
4. Explain how guns are related to wildlife conservation.
5. Explain the general features of the hunting regulations in your State, including the types of game which may be hunted and any special regulations on the use of guns.
6. Explain the conduct of a good sportsman when handling guns.

2. Complete the following:

1. Describe two principal technical differences between the rifle and the shotgun; explain how these differences affect their use in the field.
2. Draw and explain a diagram showing proper sight alignment and a proper sight picture with the rifle; explain how the aiming process differs with the shotgun.
3. Explain the principles of good rifle shooting positions; demonstrate three positions; explain and demonstrate the differences between a good rifle shooting position and a good shotgun shooting position.
4. Explain and demonstrate the proper use of the trigger in rifle shooting; explain and demonstrate the proper use of the trigger in shotgun shooting.
5. Explain and demonstrate shotgun swing; explain why "follow-through" is so important.

3. Do the following:

1. Explain the general principles of safe handling of guns and ammunition.
2. Explain the safety precautions for guns having fixed or detachable magazines and the special precautions necessary for tubular magazines.
3. Demonstrate how to check for safety at least three of the following; explain how to check the others.

(1) Rifle or shotgun

(a) Semiautomatic action, (b) pump action, (c) break-open or hinge action, (d) bolt action, (e) lever action.

(2) Handguns

(a) Semiautomatic, (b) revolver, (3) muzzle loader of any type, (4) gas, pneumatic or air gun.

(3) Muzzle loader of any type

(4) Gas, pneumatic, or air gun

d. Demonstrate in the field:

(1) Safe carrying of a gun when alone or with other hunters.

(2) Proper relationship of hunters when loading and unloading guns.

(3) Safe handling of a gun when taking it out of and putting it in a car.

(4) Safe gun handling when crossing a fence.

e. Explain what is meant by "safe zone of fire."
f. Explain the principles of safe storage of guns and ammunition at home.
g. Explain what you would do if a friend visiting your home asked to see your target rifle.
h. Explain the care and maintenance necessary to keep a firearm in good and safe working condition.

4. Demonstrate your ability to apply the principles of shooting by meeting the standards shown below in either "Option A~Rifle Shooting" or "Option B~Shotgun Shooting."

            OPTION A~Rifle Shooting

a. Score required. Make a total score of at least 380 points out of a possible 600 on a total of 12 targets, including: (1) four targets from the prone position, each scoring at least 35 points out of a possible 50; (2) four targets from the kneeling position, each scoring at least 25 points out of a possible 50; (3) four targets from the standing position, each scoring at least 20 points out of a possible 50.

Note that it will be necessary to make more than the minimum score on some targets in order to make the required total of 380 points.

b. Specifications. Qualification may be fired on any one of the following courses of fire: (1) The 50-Foot Course~fired with the .22 caliber rim fire rifle using the .22 short, long, or long-rifle cartridge; 50-foot range using 50-foot A1, A2, A4, A5, A16, or A17 targets; (2) The 25-Foot Course~shot with any air gun or gas gun having a rifled barrel; 25-foot range using 25-foot A18 or A19 targets; (3) The 15-Foot Course~shot with any smoothbore air or gas gun using BB's; 15-foot range using 15-foot A45 or A46 targets.

Range distance: Measured from firing line to face of target.

Number of shots: Five shots per target.

Sights: Any not containing glass.

Targets: Official BSA, official NRA, or those issued by the director of Civilian Marksmanship.

Sling: The sling may be used only in connection with the arm and hand supporting the fore-end.

OPTION B~Shotgun Shooting

a.Score required. Break at least 13 clay birds out of a possible 25 in each of five separate 25-bird events.

b. Specifications. (1) The .22 Caliber Shotgun Course~fired with a .22-caliber smoothbore gun, using .22 rim fire shot cartridges; targets of the Mo-Skeet-O type, approximately 2 inches in diameter; targets may be thrown from a hand trap or a foot trap; (2) The Large Caliber Shotgun Course~fired with a standard shotgun of .410 gauge or larger; targets of the standard type, approximately 4½ inches in diameter; targets may be thrown from a hand trap or a foot trap; standard skeet or trap courses may be used.

Requirements September 1970 until June 1972

1. Do the following:

1. Explain the meaning of each item in the Shooter's Safety Code; agree to live up to the code.
2. Write two hundred words on "My Responsibility as a Shooter."
3. Explain the general features of the laws governing the use and possession of firearms in your community.
4. Explain how guns are related to wildlife conservation.
5. Explain the general features of the hunting regulations in your State, including the types of game which may be hunted and any special regulations on the use of firearms.
6. Explain the conduct of a good sportsman when handling firearms.

2. Complete the following:

1. Describe two principal technical differences between the rifle and the shotgun; explain how these differences affect their use in the field.
2. Draw and explain a diagram showing proper sight alignment and a proper sight picture with the rifle; explain how the aiming process differs with the shotgun.
3. Explain the principles of good rifle shooting positions; demonstrate three positions; explain and demonstrate the differences between a good rifle shooting position and a good shotgun shooting position.
4. Explain and demonstrate the proper use of the trigger in rifle shooting; explain and demonstrate the proper use of the trigger in shotgun shooting.
5. Explain and demonstrate shotgun swing; explain why "follow-through" is so important.

3. Do the following:

1. Explain the general principles of safe handling of guns and ammunition.
2. Explain the safety precautions for guns having fixed or detachable magazines and the special precautions necessary for tubular magazines.
3. Demonstrate how to check for safety at least three of the following; explain how to check the others.

(1) Rifle or shotgun

(a) Semiautomatic action, (b) pump action, (c) break-open or hinge action, (d) bolt action, (e) lever action.

(2) Handguns

(a) Semiautomatic, (b) revolver, (3) muzzle loader of any type, (4) gas, pneumatic or air gun.

(3) Muzzle loader of any type

(4) Gas, pneumatic, or air gun

d. Demonstrate in the field:

(1) Safe carrying of a gun when alone or with other hunters.

(2) Proper relationship of hunters when loading and unloading guns.

(3) Safe handling of a gun when taking it out of and putting it in a car.

(4) Safe gun handling when crossing a fence.

e. Explain what is meant by "safe zone of fire."
f. Explain the principles of safe storage of guns and ammunition at home.
g. Explain what you would do if a friend visiting your home asked to see your target rifle.
h. Explain the care and maintenance necessary to keep a firearm in good and safe working condition.

4. Demonstrate your ability to apply the principles of shooting by meeting the standards shown below in either "Option A~Rifle Shooting" or "Option B~Shotgun Shooting."

            OPTION A~Rifle Shooting

a. Score required. Make a total score of at least 380 points out of a possible 600 on a total of 12 targets, including: (1) four targets from the prone position, each scoring at least 35 points out of a possible 50; (2) four targets from the kneeling position, each scoring at least 25 points out of a possible 50; (3) four targets from the standing position, each scoring at least 20 points out of a possible 50.

Note that it will be necessary to make more than the minimum score on some targets in order to make the required total of 380 points.

b. Specifications. Qualification may be fired on any one of the following courses of fire: (1) The 50-Foot Course~fired with the .22 caliber rim fire rifle using the .22 short, long, or long-rifle cartridge; 50-foot range using 50-foot A1, A2, A4, A5, A16, or A17 targets; (2) The 25-Foot Course~shot with any air gun or gas gun having a rifled barrel; 25-foot range using 25-foot A18 or A19 targets; (3) The 15-Foot Course~shot with any smoothbore air or gas gun using BB's; 15-foot range using 15-foot A45 or A46 targets.

Range distance: Measured from firing line to face of target.

Number of shots: Five shots per target.

Sights: Any not containing glass.

Targets: Official BSA, official NRA, or those issued by the director of Civilian Marksmanship.

Sling: The sling may be used only in connection with the arm and hand supporting the fore-end.

OPTION B~Shotgun Shooting

a.Score required. Break at least 13 clay birds out of a possible 25 in each of five separate 25-bird events.

b. Specifications. (1) The .22 Caliber Shotgun Course~fired with a .22-caliber smoothbore gun, using .22 rim fire shot cartridges; targets of the Mo-Skeet-O type, approximately 2 inches in diameter; targets may be thrown from a hand trap or a foot trap; (2) The Large Caliber Shotgun Course~fired with a standard shotgun of .410 gauge or larger; targets of the standard type, approximately 4½ inches in diameter; targets may be thrown from a hand trap or a foot trap; standard skeet or trap courses may be used.