Rifle rules, sights?

[kwildman]

The one requirement that i would like to see BSA add is that MBCs for rifle and shotgun be current NRA instructors.

Coming from a new book soon to hit your shelves, here you go:

Rifle Shooting. Instruction involving any handling of firearms must be supervised by a certified
BSA National Camping School (NCS) Shooting Sports Director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach. That involving muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS Shooting Sports Director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA) certified muzzleloader firearms instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.

Shotgun Shooting. Instruction involving any handling of firearms must be supervised by a certified NCS Shooting Sports Director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. That involving muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS Shooting Sports Director or NRA/NMLRA certified muzzle-loading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.

Happy .. about time. I am an RSO and also NRC certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, and muzzle loading rifle instructor. It is one of those things that stuck in my craw that anyone with a gun could say that they were a MBC and come on out to the farm and lets shoot.

Also one more thing to get things riled up here. Note that it says "any handling of firearms" and does not specify only shooting activities. This means that you must be an NRA instructor to supervise the cleaning requirements of the merit badge as well.

[wagionvigil]

The one requirement that i would like to see BSA add is that MBCs for rifle and shotgun be current NRA instructors.

Coming from a new book soon to hit your shelves, here you go:

Rifle Shooting. Instruction involving any handling of firearms must be supervised by a certified
BSA National Camping School (NCS) Shooting Sports Director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach. That involving muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS Shooting Sports Director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA) certified muzzleloader firearms instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.

Shotgun Shooting. Instruction involving any handling of firearms must be supervised by a certified NCS Shooting Sports Director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. That involving muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS Shooting Sports Director or NRA/NMLRA certified muzzle-loading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.

Happy .. about time. I am an RSO and also NRC certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, and muzzle loading rifle instructor. It is one of those things that stuck in my craw that anyone with a gun could say that they were a MBC and come on out to the farm and lets shoot.

Also one more thing to get things riled up here. Note that it says "any handling of firearms" and does not specify only shooting activities. This means that you must be an NRA instructor to supervise the cleaning requirements of the merit badge as well.

Now we just need to do the same thing for Climbing and Rappelling.

[smtroop168]

Now we just need to do the same thing for Climbing and Rappelling.

Seek and Ye Shall Find:

Climbing. All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises and activities must be supervised by a qualified rock climbing instructor who is a mature and conscientious adult at least 21 years old, and who is trained in BSA Climb On Safely and understands the risks inherent to these activities. Training as BSA climbing director or instructor is highly recommended. Someone with certification in First Aid/CPR/AED from the American Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities.

[ronin718]

Now we just need to do the same thing for Climbing and Rappelling.

When did the NRA start covering Climbing and Rappelling???

[FrankJ]

So you need at least 4 people present to do shooting qualifications? RSO, Instructor, scout & his buddy?

[kwildman]

So you need at least 4 people present to do shooting qualifications? RSO, Instructor, scout & his buddy?

You could get buy with three since you would have 2 deep leadership and most ranges are open to the public. But 4 would be ideal.

[razor_strop]

Back to the question regarding using optical sights for completing MB requirements...

From the 2011 printing of the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual:

Optical (telescopic) sights are also fully adjustable, but care must be taken to provide an appropriate scope for the shooting distance. Target turrets (hand adjustable) are recommended when the rifle will be used by multiple shooters, and for meeting the merit badge requirements. (emphasis mine)

So, although I agree with the folks that recommend instructing using iron/open sights, it seems that BSA does indeed allow the use of magnifying, optical sights to complete the grouping and scoring requirements for the Rifle Shooting MB.