Practising in different positions

DMW22

I'm just wondering does anybody practise shooting in different positions?
I understand that shooting prone is the most stable position but what happens when the prone position isn't suitable in certain situations? I feel most people rely on the prone position too much and as a result they pull the shot as they aren't used to shooting in different positions.

I find myself in the same situation at times but this year I want to start practising shooting from prone, sitting, kneeling and standing with my .22 and move onto the .223 and .308.

Do you think shooting is gone more into the accessories and equipment rather than instinctive skill and experience?

clivej

I shoot in the NASRPC Gallery Rifle competitions where we shoot

• 6 shots kneeling,
• 6 shots sitting,
• 6 shots standing left shoulder,
• 6 shots standing right shoulder,
  50m - 2min 45sec

You should try it, very demanding

Jonty

I agree totally.

But the question has to be asked, is it ethical to take a standing shot and risk wounding an animal when it might be better just to let it go.

I find that understanding the geography of the land is something that shouldn't be ignored. Walking the land in pre season and finding out where the high spots that give a good field of view and rangefinding to boundaries is also something that should be done to mitigate taking riskier shots.

The prone position should still be considered the primary position because it is the most stable.

Consideration should be paid to practicing with shooting sticks.

cookimonster

My first consideration is always a steady shooting position, weather this needs to be done prone, sitting /kneeling or standing using bipods, bags, rocks, ditches, fences, trees, sticks or fellow shooters shoulders.
A lot depends on the surrounding conditions and to me very importantly the range to target. If I have to take a quick close unrested shot I'm usually able to avail of a hasty sling to give me better support.
I prefer to stalk in closer weather it's bunnies or deer and when calling foxs we always use a rest and bring them as close as possible (shot one under my feet from a high seat)

FISMA

DMW22 wrote: »

I'm just wondering does anybody practice shooting in different positions? ...

All of the time.

Practice everything if you want to shoot anything.

I practice shooting the way I expect to shoot in the field. I rarely have the opportunity to take a prone shots in stalking, so prone is not high on my practice list.

I mostly practice: a seated shot, off the bipod, off of sticks, or a standing snap shot.

Some days I practice with no sticks, others, nothing but sticks.

Use the benchrest to learn about your rifle, ammo, scope, and to zero.

I have found that an incredibly solid shooting position is while seated, using a bipod, with your back against a tree. It is as close to benchrest as I have come to in the field.

Also, learn to take two eyed shots on low magnification. More often than I care to remember, while looking for deer at 400 or more yards off, one or two have popped up and run within a handful of yards. Being able to lift the rifle and with both eyes open acquire the target in cross hairs has helped on more than one occasion.

I also shoot trap, skeet, bunnies, and more to train for opening day deer season.

For what in particular are you training?

rugermk3

this has got me thinking i only shoot from sticks mainly because i only go for head shots and don't like to miss , but next time i head out think i`ll leave the sticks at home , and start trying out different positions, it can only make you a better shot , id be interested to see what the results are , wouldn't like the idea of having to hit rabbits twice don't enjoy seen any animals in pain , if that ends up the case think ill stick to the sticks, at 50 60 yards cant see there been much of a problem but 100 yards plus head shot with out sticks. not to sure if i have that type of skill

reniwren

Sticks/ sling shots only here, never used prone because I mostly shoot rabbits and a bipod is never high enough and then too heavy for standing, never mind when things start growing again, decent set of sticks, sling and kneepads and I'm sorted.

Longranger

I nearly always shoot from prone position when I'm after bunnies as most of my spots are bug open fields, but it isn't always an option especially when I'm after charlie, so I've been using the sticks a lot more for practice, along with fence posts, low branches and forks in trees, and kneeling shots. Start experimenting and I promise you will be WAY more confident. It's a great comfort to know you can take a safe shot from most positions, you just have to put in the time.
Hope this helps.
happy hunting
LR

German pointer

I always practice as many different positions as I can especially at night. :D

ejg

In the last years shooting prone could have led to drowning in the places I shot.
Nothing wrong with practicing off-hand or leaning on a tree etc. shooting.
edi

DMW22

Jonty wrote: »

I agree totally.

But the question has to be asked, is it ethical to take a standing shot and risk wounding an animal when it might be better just to let it go.

I find that understanding the geography of the land is something that shouldn't be ignored. Walking the land in pre season and finding out where the high spots that give a good field of view and rangefinding to boundaries is also something that should be done to mitigate taking riskier shots.

The prone position should still be considered the primary position because it is the most stable.

Consideration should be paid to practicing with shooting sticks.

I would agree with you that if you're not confident in taking the shot then don't as it could lead to an animal getting away wounded. With that being said we can't predict what an animal will do so even with the advantage points picked out a fox/deer could end up popping up in the one place you can't take a prone shot.
If a shooter was only comfortable in the prone he might not get many shots but if they had been practising just one more position either sitting or kneeling then a lot more possibilities could open up.

FISMA wrote: »

For what in particular are you training?

I'm training for nothing in particular, just to be a better shot.

From being on the range over the last while I can't think of when I saw someone shooting in positions other than off the bench or prone.

Sticks are a very handy aid and use them myself but I would still prefer to get as low to the ground as possible so would choose a sitting position over standing with sticks any day that is of course if you feel comfortable with the sitting position.