2. Option B — Air Rifle

Option B Overview

Option B—Air Rifle Shooting (BB or Pellet). Do ALL of the following: Air Rifle Shooting (BB or Pellet)

Option B uses either a BB gun or a pellet rifle. Air rifles propel projectiles with compressed air or CO₂ rather than burning powder, making them well-suited for indoor ranges and Scout camp facilities. The shooting fundamentals are identical to Option A—the target is smaller and the distance shorter, but precision and discipline matter just as much.

What You’ll Complete

Req 2ba — Three Main Parts of an Air Rifle: Identify the stock, action, and barrel of an air rifle and explain how each functions.
Req 2bb — Safe Storage and Handling: Know the rules for storing and handling an air rifle safely.
Req 2bc — Two Types of Air Rifle Ammunition: Identify BBs and pellets, their differences, and correct uses.
Req 2bd — The Five Fundamentals of Shooting: Apply aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control, and follow-through to air rifle shooting.
Req 2be — Range Procedures and Commands: Demonstrate safe range behavior and respond correctly to all range commands.
Req 2bf — Cleaning Safety Rules and Materials: Know the safety rules for cleaning and the materials needed.
Req 2bg — Clean an Air Rifle Properly: Demonstrate the cleaning process for an air rifle.
Req 2bh — Selecting an Air Rifle: Discuss the factors you would consider when choosing an air rifle.
Req 2bi — First Grouping Exercise: Fire five three-shot groups at 15 feet (BB) or 33 feet (pellet) that fit under a quarter.
Req 2bj — Scored Grouping Exercise: Fire five five-shot groups and meet the minimum scores for your target and distance.

Key Differences from Option A

Air rifles do not use propellant powder or primers. They produce no muzzle blast and minimal noise compared to cartridge rifles. However:

The four safety rules apply just as strictly—an air rifle can still cause serious injury.
BBs and pellets are projectiles that penetrate skin and can cause eye injury at close range.
Many air rifles require a cocking stroke before firing (spring-piston type), which requires proper technique to avoid injury from the lever.