Advanced Marksmanship Shooting Form From The Bench

[Pete E]

For shooting prone off the ground using a bipod, time and time again on hear I read that the correct postion is getting square to the target so that recoil acts straight back.

What about when shooting from a bench?

Most benches have some sort of cut out as in the Net pics below:

Most of these cut outs tend to postion the shooter so that they are at an angle to the target rather than square on as recommended for the prone postion

So would a more square on postion at the bench be considered better form?

In these pics the guy is using a rest as opposed to a bipod; would that make a difference in the preferred postion?

The pics were taken from here which contains a nice write up for building the bench shown..

Regards,

Peter

 

[McCrazy]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

Bump. One of the ranges I go to requires shooting from the bench. Would be nice to hear some tips and tricks on how to do it better.

 

[zepheris.hk]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

I have always found it uncomfortable to shoot on a bench for the same very reasons you have listed. I feel most comfortable shooting prone or kneeling. Tips and tricks would be very insightful!

 

[Lindy]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

Sniper's Hide is the forum for the serious tactical marksman.

You may wish to address your question to the guys on the forum at http://www.benchrest.com

 

[Graham]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete E</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So would a more square on postion at the bench be considered better form? </div></div>Benches don't exist for me: they are obstacles. I use them as such.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

if i have to shoot off a bench which is rare. I try to find the tallest bench seat that i can comfortably sit on and position it at the back of the bench where its flat(no angles forced into the body) and then square myself up that way and straddle the bench seat. Is this proper, i havent the foggiest idea but it works for me when i shoot off a bench

 

[Rhys]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

My bench rifles are shot using a completely different form. They are shot free recoil.

 

[Graham]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

Position your body square to the bench, use the table to create a stable shooting platform: assuming that the bench is solidly planted, get your upper body and both elbows to rest on it. Exhale. Find your NPA.

 

[TXBRASS]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

I VERY rarely shoot from a bench, but recently had a good friend mention how nice it would be for me to get a shooting bench at my range so he could shoot his bench-rest set-ups at my place instead of having to drive 35 miles to the nearest range with benches. Being the good friend that I am, I built him a bench. As I was building it, I thought that it could be beneficial to design it where I could mimic an office table/desk and set-up as I would if I had to utilize such a hide while on duty. I designed it square and now practice shooting from behind it both standing and seated. I still focus on squaring off to the target and getting the most possible NPA. JAcob does this (from standing)behind the table he has in the cinder-block house at Rifles Only. For me, it is just another way to practice a possible scenario.

I believe if you are approaching it from a tactical standpoint....keeping square is important. My rifle stays in the middle of the table and the butt of my rifle is just about rubbing my collar bone to keep it square....

 

[johndoe]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

Nice bench!

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Shooting Form From The Bench

Nice Bench TXBRASS! A guy who built our benches up in Princeton where a bunch of us shoot in the winter up here, made them like that. The benches at my range are more like Pete E's.

Anyhow, as noted, get behind it not off to the side. Bring your own chair/stool if you have to. Adjustable stools work the best but if you can't get one then bring extra boards or sandbags.

You may well notice a POI change too going from the side to the rear. I notice about 1/2"-3/4" drop going from behind to off to the side. So, don't change your zero if you have to shoot from the side.