NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course Syllabus

Classroom Location: Pathfinders, Norton, Virginia 24273
Course Goal: To develop in students the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting.
Course Length:  14 hours (The course length may vary depending on the instructor to student ratio and the participants’ abilities.)

Curriculum:
LESSON I: Rifle Knowledge and Safe Gun Handling

• State the course goal and any special requirements for the seven lessons
  
• Identify the principal parts of a rifle and types of actions, and demonstrate how they function
  
• State and explain the NRA rules for safe gun handling
• Explain and demonstrate how to handle a rifle in a safe manner
  
  

LESSON II: Ammunition Knowledge and the Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting

• Identify the components of a rifle cartridge and their functions
• Identify the different types of rifle ammunitions and explain their intended use
• Explain and demonstrate how to ensure the ammunition is correct for a rifle
• Identify and define the three major types of cartridge malfunctions and how to respond safely when they occur
• Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle
• Explain the purpose of the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program
  
  

LESSON III: Firing the First Shot

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely assume the bench rest position with a rifle
• Safely shoot a rifle using the fundamentals of rifle shooting at a target on a range from the bench rest position
  
• Safely zero a rifle from the bench rest position
• Identify the materials needed to clean a rifle
• Safely clean a rifle
  
  

LESSON IV: Standing Shooting Position

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely assume the standing position with a rifle
• Safely shoot a rifle using the fundamentals of rifle shooting at a target on a range from a standing position
  
  

LESSON V: Prone and Kneeling Rifle Shooting Position

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely assume a prone position with a rifle
  
• Safely shoot a rifle using the fundamentals of rifle shooting at a target on a range from a prone position
  
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely assume a kneeling position with a rifle
  
• Safely shoot a rifle using the fundamentals of rifle shooting at a target on a range from a kneeling position
  
  

LESSON VI: Sitting Rifle Shooting Position and Review of Positions

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely assume the sitting position with a rifle
  
• Safely shoot a rifle using the fundamentals of rifle shooting at a target on a range from a sitting position
  
  

LESSON VII: Rifle Sports and Activities

• Explain ways to pursue rifle-shooting activities after the course
  
• Explain the criteria for selecting a rifle
  
• Identify various shooting organizations and explain how to become involved with them
• Successfully complete the NRA Basic Rifle Course Examination