shooting positions

[ISC]

Everytime I go to the range I'm always struck by how everyone's shooting from the bench, Occasionally someone will be standing, but I can only recall seeing someone shooting from the prone or kneeling position a handful of times. I guess it's just because of my training that I find shooting from those positions more natural than sitting on a stool behind a bench.

I also think that shooting from a standing, kneeling, prone or from behind cover position is a more realistic way to practice practical marksmanship than sitting behind a bench.

Please describe the shooting positions you shoot from most frequently.

[guncrazy]

Re: shooting positions

I guess I usually stand just because I am playing around having a good time. I shoot a 35-38 every year when we qualify at Ft. Chafee. If I shot a real low score then I would prolly practice from kneeling unsupported. An M4 with M203 stuck on the end of it sucks ass. The 203 sucks especially when ya know you ain't gonna get any ammo for it.

[C. M. Wolf]

Re: shooting positions

Most of my favorite shooters have bi-pods, except the semi's, but I will always favor shooting prone, then kneeling, then standing. I do simulate firing from various positions behind cover, heck I even catch myself sitting down sometimes. The ranges that I now frequent, rarely do I see people sitting from bench, most are squatting or standing, and a little prone. I generally get a lot of comments like, "I should pratice kneeling and prone more." I give 'em a nod and a smile and say, "It certainly couldn't hurt to practice all possitions."



The only time I'll shoot from bench is when I'm testing a rifle or working up some new loads.

Michael

[jefferson101]

Re: shooting positions

In addition to changing positions while shooting, one should change hands occasionally.

I see this advocated for pistol shooters fairly regularly, but that's not anything compared to doing it with a rifle.



Try it sometime. Standing or prone seem to be equally challenging, to me.

[Herr Walther]

Re: shooting positions

I never shot from the bench because there were no chairs at the range. That pretty much eliminates that unless you like bending over with your butt up in the air.

Always shot standing, or when the range was closed, I'd pull out the IDPA stuff and shoot from a barricade or other cover.

[RT]

Re: shooting positions

Standing/moving combat crouch. The hardest one to master, but when you are limited to airsoft and the per round cost is pretty low, you might as well just spend time on the advanced stuff. Airsoft guns lack the range or precision to do any meaningful long range training, but I have a couple of modestly high power air rifles I shoot small targets with at moderate ranges.

Draw, shoot, change mags. Transitions, step the box escrima style while throwing bursts on target, changing mags, doing transitions. I was doing that just to save range time before I got busted and when I went to the high speed shooting course shoulder to shoulder with plenty of specops types, I can't say I was among the best of the best, but I held my own and came out on top in a few of the range runs.

[tiller]

Re: shooting positions

RT, any interest in a cap and ball 308 revolving rifle? Legal for ex felons to own, due to it not taking a cartridge. Paper patched bullets, 2400+ fps using Triple7 BP substitute, you see. How about DA cap and ball revolvers? I have a design for a nipple that is "one way", like a grease "zert". The nipples have a flange and are threaded in from the front of the cylinder, allowing much higher pressures. The cavities around the nipple are very small, and the "fit" of the hammer to the nipple very "tight", so caps can't fly off or fall off and tie up the action. PM me.

[RT]

Re: shooting positions

RT, any interest in a cap and ball 308 revolving rifle? Legal for ex felons to own, due to it not taking a cartridge. Paper patched bullets, 2400+ fps using Triple7 BP substitute, you see. How about DA cap and ball revolvers? I have a design for a nipple that is "one way", like a grease "zert". The nipples have a flange and are threaded in from the front of the cylinder, allowing much higher pressures. The cavities around the nipple are very small, and the "fit" of the hammer to the nipple very "tight", so caps can't fly off or fall off and tie up the action. PM me.

The concept is good, but a no-go in Oregon. Anything that propels a projectile by means of an explosion is considered a "firearm" although purchase of "antiques" is not officially regulated with background checks, possession is. Washington and CA are a different story. I have a design for a modified propane powered nail gun that shoots pellets instead of nails that I can't legally move forward on in this state either. I am sticking to airguns right now. It would be very short term if SHTF, because once it's on the fan, there are people who would likely trade with me. I would of course be paying a premium, but I am not trying to collect guns any more, just if SHTF, get the basics.

[Illini Sniper]

Re: shooting positions

Prone supported is the most accurate shooting position for me.

[G. Gunman]

Re: shooting positions

I shoot a pistol while I'm either standing or moving. I always shoot a shotgun while standing. I shoot a rifle while either: standing, sitting, or lying prone. If you're watching people lean on benches or sitting down most of the time, I'm going to guess that you shoot at a public range.

About every bad shooting habit you can imagine I'm able to watch the general public demonstrate just about any afternoon I spend at one of our public shooting ranges. As long as nobody swings around and covers me with their muzzle, though, I'm happy!

[Grey Wolf]

Re: shooting positions

From the bench when trying out new ammo. After that all of the above and then some, It helps having 70 acres to do this on. Most ranges would frown on some of the positions and movements I do.
Standing
Kneeling
Prone with and without support
Various support from rocks and trees while behind cover
And doing movements, Front Rear and Lateral or Parallel

After hunting season and a knee replacement maybe a jungle lane with a friends help.