Different Rifle Shooting Stances (Benefits and Downsides)

The art of successful rifle shooting extends beyond just pulling the trigger – it also involves mastering the right stance. Different shooting stances, from prone to kneeling and standing, each offer benefits and present challenges. Ultimately, these positions impact not only your stability and accuracy but also your ability to adapt to different scenarios and environments. Therefore, we felt the need to construct a detailed guide on various rifle shooting stances, examine their advantages, drawbacks, and in what situation each stance proves most beneficial. 

What Is A Rifle Shooting Position?

A rifle shooting position is a shooter’s physical stance when aiming and firing a rifle. There are various shooting positions, which we discuss in the next section. Each shooting position offers different degrees of stability, mobility, and speed. A shooter can use these different positions in hunting, competitive shooting, and tactical shooting, and the shooting position will depend on the shooter’s needs and shooting scenario.

What Are The Different Rifle Shooting Positions?

1) Prone Position

The prone shooting position is when the shooter lies flat on their stomach with their feet roughly shoulder width apart and resting the rifle on a cushion, hands, or a bipod.

The prone position is the most accurate shooting position because of its superior stability. It is also useful for reducing your profile – a definite advantage in hunting and combat situations. However, it is important to note that the prone position restricts mobility and field of view. It can also become uncomfortable over prolonged periods, especially when lying on uneven or damp ground.

When it comes to long-range shooting, a quality rifle scope is the prone shooter’s trusted ally. The supreme stability of the prone position enables the effective use of high magnification scopes, delivering precision even over 500+ yard distances. This position is a favorite among snipers, long-range target shooters, stealth hunters, and even beginners.

2) Kneeling Position

The kneeling position is when one knee is placed on the ground while the other foot is planted firmly in front for balance. Your forward foot’s corresponding elbow typically braces against the knee, providing support for the rifle. For instance, if your left knee is placed forward, your corresponding left arm and left elbow are used as support.

While the kneeling position provides a blend of stability and speed, it can become uncomfortable over extended periods, especially on a hard surface. The kneeling position is often used in fast-paced hunting or competitive shooting events. In contrast to the prone position, a high magnification scope would be difficult to manage in this less stable position. Instead, an LPVO is the perfect optic for the kneeling position.

3) Sitting Position

The sitting position involves sitting on the ground with legs crossed or bent, using your knees as elbow rests for stability. This position is definitely a stability upgrade to the kneeling position but at the cost of speed. The position is a better choice for longer-range shots yet can be impractical in certain terrains or tall vegetation.

With this position’s improved stability, a rifle scope with medium magnification can help you land those close medium-range groupings. This position is perfect for the patient hunter and target shooter with more time to set up their shot.

4) Standing Position

The standing position, also known as the offhand position, involves holding and shooting the rifle while standing upright. This is the least stable yet most mobile position, granting optimal field of view and swift reaction to rapidly evolving scenarios.

This position is often employed when hunting moving targets, participating in certain shooting events, and for tactical and military use. This position demands a rifle scope with a fast target acquisition rate. Hence, a red dot or iron sight proves the ideal pairing for this shooting position.

5) The “Hasty Sling” Shooting Position

The first four shooting positions are the main types of shooting positions, and this position can be used in combination with the other positions. This position refers to using your rifle sling to create a loop you put your arm through. The resulting tension stabilizes the rifle, balancing mobility and stability. This position is most effective when you need a quick and stable shot in limited-time situations.

I mostly use this position with the kneeling and standing positions, especially when I have a higher magnification scope mounted and need a stable aiming platform.

Which Rifle Shooting Stance Is The Best?

The best shooting stance depends on your shooting scenario and the objective you want to achieve. If you want to shoot accurately, the prone is the best position. If you want speed and agility, the standing position is the best. Finally, the kneeling and sitting positions balance accuracy with speed but can be uncomfortable over extended periods.

How Can You Improve Shooting Accuracy?

As with all skills, you improve them by practicing regularly and perfecting your technique. Doing so can help you learn and maintain proper breathing techniques to control your breath better during shooting. It also helps you perfect proper trigger control, avoiding jerking or pulling the trigger. And it helps you to master different shooting positions and smoothly transition between them.

You can also improve your accuracy by using appropriate equipment, such as a suitable scout scope for precision shooting. Another way to increase accuracy is by maintaining physical fitness and conducting mental preparation. Increased fitness can help improve stability, steadiness, and concentration, while mental preparation can help you manage stress preventing you from making unnecessary mistakes.

What Is The Correct Head And Scope Position For An Accurate Shot?

The correct head and scope position for accurate shooting involves different aspects. First, ensure a consistent and comfortable cheek weld (the contact between your cheek and the buttstock). Your head should be upright and relaxed – not strained.

Before even looking at the scope position, ensure you have the right scope for the job. If you are hunting, choose the best hunting scope for the job. And if you are target shooting, opt for a more tactical scope.

After finding the perfect scope for your use case, ensure your rifle scope is mounted correctly. A correctly mounted scope will be at a height that allows a natural alignment of your eye with the reticle when your cheek is comfortably resting on the stock in your normal shooting position. Doing so prevents the need to move your head up or down to align with the scope, which can affect accuracy.

Next, make sure your scope is set to the proper eye relief. The distance should be far enough to avoid recoil injury but close enough to provide a full field of view through the scope.

Which Tools Can Help Improve Shooting Accuracy?

In addition to practicing the proper aiming technique for improving accuracy, you also get tools to help improve accuracy.

The first tool is a bipod – a two-legged support device attached to the front of your rifle to improve stability. A bipod significantly improves accuracy, especially for long-range shots when shooting in the prone position. A bipod reduces the impact of small movements and shakes that affect your aim. Adjustable bipods also adapt to various terrains and shooting conditions, making it a versatile tool.

If you don’t have a bipod, you can use spontaneous rest points in your immediate environment to improve your shooting accuracy. This is done by using available rest points in your environment, such as a tree trunk, a rock, a fence, a termite mound, or any stable object that can support your rifle. Using these rest points, you can stabilize your rifle, reduce fatigue from holding your firearm, and provide a more comfortable shooting position.

However, ensure these spontaneous rests are sturdy enough to support your rifle. Also, practice as much as you can with these different rest points, as each rest point has a slightly different effect on your position and stability.

Which Shooting Position Is The Worst For Hunters?

Avid hunters know that accuracy is key when hunting animals, minimizing the possibility of injuring the animal instead of landing a lethal shot placement. Therefore, the standing position is the least favorable for hunters. While it offers the greatest mobility and field of view (assuming you are well acquainted with how to use a rifle scope), it is the least stable of all the positions.

Additionally, the standing position makes you the most visible to your prey, making it easier for them to detect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

There are various shooting positions, including the prone, kneeling, sitting, standing, and hasty sling shooting positions. While each shooting position has distinct advantages, it is important to use the right position for your shooting scenario. Remember to practice regularly in the different shooting positions to increase your accuracy. Also, incorporate a bipod or spontaneous rest points in your shooting stance to increase rifle stability and accuracy. Happy shooting!