Advanced Marksmanship different sitting positions

[cinosbus]

Most shooters that shoot sitting, unsupported shoot with the crossed ankle or crossed leg position. I assume this is because they are confined to these positions due to rules?

It seems like there are better sitting positions, especially for a heavy tactical rifle, than these.


I was messing around the other day and trying different sitting positions with and without a sling with my Remington 5R .308. Due to the very front heavy nature of this rifle with a bipod, I found the "common" sitting positions to force my NPA too low to be useful unless I needed to shoot down-hill. I can manage this position just fine with a "sporter weight" rifle, especially with no bipod. I tried the "sniper sitting" position like menioned in FM23-10, where (RH shooter) the left knee is up and the right knee is down with the right foot inserted below the left leg. Left arm "hugs" the left knee and grasps the right elbow with the rifle sitting on top of the left arm elbow area. This didn't work well for me either. But I tried grabbing my left knee with my hand and resting the floorplate of the rifle on my left knee and it was very steady and comfortable both with and without the sling. So I started google image searching "sitting position shooting". After I finished looking at the porn google retreived with that search string, I found some interesting field air rifle positions like the ones shown here on 6mmbr:

http://www.6mmbr.com/fieldtargetposition.html

One that looks a lot like what I mentioned and some others that are minor variations including this from kermitairgunclub in Texas:

Why aren't these positions used more? Rules? Or is there another reason. I have not actually shot from any of these positions, so maybe recoil is a factor?

 

[cinosbus]

Re: different sitting positions

No replies yet? Wow!

 

[dar1246]

Re: different sitting positions

Shooting postions and technique is use because they work. I have shot sling without a coat. I always thought coats who needs them. Recently I shot a team match where I shot service rifle with sling at 600 yards. When I shot the match I had to shoot my heartbeat in the rifle. After the match the match director let me try a coat. The coat took the heart beat out of the rifle.
The positions do the same kinda of thing. Lowlight in the training area explains in it a little more depth. But the is a method to the positions. They do work.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: different sitting positions

All I can say is pick up one of Tubb's books and check out his sitting position. Looks like it would be as stable as prone only without the ability to have a straight back recoil impulse to the body. But whatever works for you.

 

[Maple One]

Re: different sitting positions

There's a nice article on shooting positions in Target Shooter this month.

You can view online or download here: http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/

Page 71 to 75

 

[JeffinTX]

Re: different sitting positions

I will give it a shot...The shooter in the first picture has the rifle sitting up with a palmrest and a glove on his knee. The palmrest would be illegal in NRA hipower and impractical in tactical shooting. His body is turned at about a 45' angle to the bore and sitting in a high position, with no sling support. He will do poorly with a rifle with recoil and rapid fire. In the second picture, it is an extremely odd position that I doubt one can be comfortable and stable in, sitting on one foot with an even higher position than the first guy. I'd like to see him fire a M1A, instead of that goofy BB gun, from that position.
In NRA hipower, one can shoot the 200yd rapid string from standing to sitting OR kneeling. I've yet to see anyone shoot kneeling at our state matches or at Perry. The rules allow for use of a sling and coat, but does not require it. Again, no serious shooters are going to forgoe the use of the sling or coat. Why? Because a low sitting position with a sling is the most stable platform to deliver 10 accurate rounds with a mag change or clip reload, from a gun that recoils and may push you out of position. Those positions may be ok with a air rifle, and I don't believe field AR allow for use of sling.