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Stuff Every Shotgun Safety Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Shotgun Shooting merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Shotgun Safety Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Responsibility and Ethics

What is a projectile?

Short answer: An object thrown or shot through the air

A projectile is an object propelled through the air. Devices that launch projectiles fast need careful handling.

Groan of the day: That projectile really launched its career.

Sources: Scouting America: Shotgun Shooting

What does a shotshell discharge?

Short answer: Numerous small pellets called shot or a single slug

A shotshell can fire many small spherical pellets called shot, or one solid projectile called a slug.

Groan of the day: That shell really shot out of the gate.

Sources: Shotgun

What are skeet, trap, and sporting clays?

Short answer: Shotgun target sports using flying clay disks

These sports involve shooting at flying clay disks called clay pigeons launched by a trap device.

Groan of the day: Those clay pigeons never fly the coop.

Sources: Shotgun

How does a semi-automatic shotgun cycle?

Short answer: The action automatically ejects and reloads after each shot

Self-loading shotguns use recoil or gas to automatically cycle the action after firing.

Groan of the day: That autoloader really keeps the ball rolling.

Sources: Shotgun

What does the gauge number of a shotgun describe?

Short answer: The weight of lead sphere matching the bore diameter

Gauge is based on the weight, in fractions of a pound, of a lead sphere matching the bore's inside diameter.

Groan of the day: That gauge really weighs on you.

Sources: Shotgun

What is the .410 bore often used for?

Short answer: Squirrel hunting and beginner shooters

The .410 is used for squirrel hunting and by beginners due to its light recoil, though it is harder to hit targets.

Groan of the day: The .410 is a small bore with big ambitions.

Sources: Shotgun

What is birdshot?

Short answer: Small pellets for hunting birds

Birdshot uses many small pellets meant to create a wide spread for hunting birds in flight.

Groan of the day: Birdshot really wings it.

Sources: Shotgun

What is a slug round?

Short answer: A round firing a single solid projectile

Slug rounds fire one solid projectile, used for hunting large game and some law enforcement roles.

Groan of the day: That slug really made a solid impression.

Sources: Shotgun

What is a sabot round?

Short answer: A smaller aerodynamic projectile in a jacket that falls away

A sabot surrounds a smaller projectile with a jacket that seals the barrel and falls away after leaving it.

Groan of the day: The sabot gave its bullet a good send-off.

Sources: Shotgun

What is the shot pattern?

Short answer: The cloud of pellets after leaving the barrel

The shot pattern is the spreading cloud of pellets that disperses as it leaves the barrel.

Groan of the day: That pattern really spread itself thin.

Sources: Shotgun

Why do trap shooters often use longer barrels?

Short answer: Longer barrels swing more steadily for distant targets

Longer barrels have more angular momentum, swinging more slowly but steadily for distant targets.

Groan of the day: That long barrel really swung the vote.

Sources: Shotgun

What is a misfire?

Short answer: A failure of the shell to fire when the trigger is pulled

A misfire is a failure to fire. A hangfire is a delayed firing, and a squib is a weak or underpowered load.

Groan of the day: That misfire missed its cue.

Sources: Scouting America: Shotgun Shooting

What is a hangfire?

Short answer: A delayed firing after the trigger is pulled

A hangfire is a delayed ignition, so you must keep the gun pointed safely and wait before opening it.

Groan of the day: That hangfire was fashionably late.

Sources: Scouting America: Shotgun Shooting

What is a squib fire?

Short answer: A weak or underpowered shot that may leave a projectile in the barrel

A squib is a weak load that may leave a projectile stuck in the barrel, so the gun must be checked before firing again.

Groan of the day: That squib was a little under the weather.

Sources: Scouting America: Shotgun Shooting

What does trigger discipline mean?

Short answer: Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire

Trigger discipline means keeping the finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, preventing accidental discharge.

Groan of the day: Trigger discipline keeps you from jumping the gun.

Sources: Gun safety

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • A projectile is an object propelled through the air. Devices that launch projectiles fast need careful handling.
  • High-speed projectiles can travel beyond the intended area, so approved locations with proper backstops keep everyone safe.
  • Smoothbore barrels have no rifling on the inner wall. Most shotguns are smoothbore, though slug barrels can be rifled.
  • A shotshell can fire many small spherical pellets called shot, or one solid projectile called a slug.
  • The 12 gauge and 20 gauge bores are the most common shotgun gauges in wide use.
  • The choke constricts the muzzle to control how the shot pattern spreads after leaving the barrel.
  • The spreading cluster of pellets helps connect with agile, fast-moving birds without overpenetration risk.
  • These sports involve shooting at flying clay disks called clay pigeons launched by a trap device.
  • The sliding fore-end, or pump, is moved back and forth to extract the spent shell and load a new round.
  • An over-and-under shotgun has two barrels mounted vertically, one on top of the other.
  • Self-loading shotguns use recoil or gas to automatically cycle the action after firing.
  • Gauge is based on the weight, in fractions of a pound, of a lead sphere matching the bore's inside diameter.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What is a projectile?
    • An object thrown or shot through the air
    • A type of shotgun choke
    • A cleaning cloth for barrels
    Show the answer

    An object thrown or shot through the air. A projectile is an object propelled through the air. Devices that launch projectiles fast need careful handling.

  2. How does a semi-automatic shotgun cycle?
    • The shooter pumps the fore-end
    • The action automatically ejects and reloads after each shot
    • The shooter breaks it open each time
    Show the answer

    The action automatically ejects and reloads after each shot. Self-loading shotguns use recoil or gas to automatically cycle the action after firing.

  3. Why is leading a target important in shotgun shooting?
    • It makes the gun lighter
    • It slows the shot down
    • You fire ahead so the target moves into the pattern
    Show the answer

    You fire ahead so the target moves into the pattern. Firing slightly ahead lets the moving target reach the shot pattern by the time the pellets arrive.

  4. What is a misfire?
    • A failure of the shell to fire when the trigger is pulled
    • A shell that fires too early
    • A shell that fires with extra power
    Show the answer

    A failure of the shell to fire when the trigger is pulled. A misfire is a failure to fire. A hangfire is a delayed firing, and a squib is a weak or underpowered load.

  5. What is a good source to contact for information on firearms and their use?
    • An unverified rumor
    • A certified instructor or official organization
    • A random social media post
    Show the answer

    A certified instructor or official organization. Reliable sources include certified instructors and official organizations that provide accurate firearm information.

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