I've done a lot of searching on the web, but haven't found many answers to this question. Our Council uses 13 as the minimum age, but I did find one Council that lets 12 year olds shoot rifles.   When my son was at camp last week he and his fellow troop members were upset that an 11 year old boy (who just crossed over to Boy Scouts in March) was allowed to take the rifle shooting merit badge, while none of our 12 year olds were allowed, including my son and one other boy, who both turn 13