Preferred Shooting Position

D

djonathang

New member
Okay,

You come over a rise and you see the animal you were seeking at 175 yards. You are carrying a rifle with a bit of recoil (270, 30-06, etc.). The terrain affords you plenty of choices: a tree to lean against, some rocks that will provide a decent rest, a clearing on the ground just perfect for a prone shot, and between the rocks and tree is a good place to sit. Attached to your rifle is a bipod you attached before you left camp in the event that the terrain wasn't as genereous as the aformentioned.

So, all things being equal (as described above), which position do you choose for your shot, and why?

DG
 
Based on my recent experiences at Appleseed, I'd forego the bipod for a good loop sling and get prone. I'd consider using my backpack (I always hunt with one on) to rest my hand, but I'd use the sling before a bipod.

Byrdman
 
I'd find a comfy spot in the rocks and sit. Easier on my old bones and joints to get up to go gut Bambi. BTDT, many times.
 
I would use the tree as a rest from a standing position or the rocks with my pack over it, depending on concealment to get into position. 175 with my -06 is doable off-hand, but obviously if there are other options, I would use them.

Why?

1) I don't practice shooting from the prone. For me, it is too slow to get into (once upon a time it wasn't, but now...), and most situations I find myself in, prone won't get you over the grass and sage.

2) Ditto for sitting. If I am settling in to watch a trail, I will spend the time to get anchored into a good sitting position, but to get there from standing is not quick anymore.

3) I wouldn't know what to do with a bipod, seems to just be a modified prone to me.

Trying to apply this to what I would consider a normal hunting situation, as soon as I saw the deer, I would slowly crouch down, look for a rest, see the rocks and ease over to them. If the deer was nervous, I would be grabbing the tree and settling the cross-hairs...
 
If I have the time, I'll take a kneeling shot, leaning against a tree for stability.

If I don't have the time, I take a knee or quick sitting position.

I can't go prone. My joints can't handle it. Even if I manage to get down... I can't get back up.

Bipod? Bipod? My father bought a bipod for me, as a gift in 1988; for my .220 Swift. It is still unopened in the original box. :rolleyes: I don't need no stinking bipods! :p
 
I'd find a comfy spot in the rocks and sit. Easier on my old bones and joints to get up to go gut Bambi. BTDT, many times.
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#1

Killed deer and hogs from the sitting position so many times it is now second nature. No longer look for a tree rest. Just look for a place to sit down. Last one I got this way I was driving down a range road with a brisk wind in the face and saw some hogs. Got out of the truck, capped the muzzleloader, assumed a good sitting position in the road, and shot a sow at 120 yards.
 
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Prone is the most stable.
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I'd forego the bipod for a good loop sling and get prone
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No argument, prone is the most stable position to shoot from, but IMO sitting is the best shooting position for hunting because
most situations I find myself in, prone won't get you over the grass and sage.
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If you can set up in a prone position and still see your game, chances are you are in the desert or in snow.
 
In a hunting situation like this I would opt for using the tree as a rest, so long as its sturdy enough & not being blown by the wind. The tree will also provide some cover for you as you get in position.
 
If I'm using my 7mm Rem Mag, I'll use the bipod sitting if at all possible. If that won't work, I'll kneel. If that doesn't work, I will go prone if that will work. I've taken long shots in all three positions and I'm comfortable with any. The bipod is my favorite crutch however.
 
With your scenerio I think I would use the bipod in a prone position. I have never been lucky enough to have a scenerio like that while hunting, and I dont use a bipod. So I have usually found myself in the kneeling position which works well. It took a little practice though.
 
I would take the rocks if the cover allowed me to and they looked like they'd provide a very good rest. Some large rocks could be used as a rest for standing or sitting positions and really help. I would also consider using the tree as a support for my arm and shooting off of that, as it is a position that I am comfortable with and found to be very steady. If either of the above options were applicable, I would not consider the sitting position or prone position. However, if both were seriously lacking, then I would consider shooting from a sitting or prone position. I would not shoot offhand.
 
My buddy was teasing me last year - "Well, that was a first..." What the heck are you talking about? "That was the first time I ever seen you shoot at a deer off-hand"

In the moment, I hadn't even thought about it, but reviewing it in my mind, there was nothing to use as a rest, things were unfolding fast, and the shot was less than 100 yds.

I still would have grabbed a tree if it was handy....
 
Sitting, elbows on knees position. For several reasons
1. Quicker to get into than deploying bipod or going prone and plenty stable for a 175 yd shot.
2. Even though you can clearly see where the game is from the prone position (something I have yet to experience), You may not have as good a view of where the game goes, either after the shot or if it spooks before the shot. Sitting will allow you to adjust aim faster, and follow wounded game farther with your eyes to mark it down.
3. Where I hunt there are stickers:D No really, I'd sit in a cactus to shoot an elk, or a nice muley.

Change your question to 275 yds and I'm looking for that bipod or shooting sticks but you said 175.
 
Kneeling, I usually carry a telescoping monopod to get comfier. I have a bipod but it's mostly good for benchrest shooting, on uneven terrain I'm usually better with the stick on knee than I would be with the bipod prone.
 
MedicineMan, a sitting position is very steady. But you may want to try sitting with your elbows extended slightly over your knees (as opposed to directly on them), as its steadier and your elbows are less likely to slip as you take the shot. Just a thought.
 
Sitting. I always take the time to sit and steady my arms on my knees (no matter what the range). When I bought my first rifle (.270) the only thing I had to sight it in with was my butt, knees, and arms. It's been working for 25 years...If it's not broke, don't fix it.
 
I can't take the shot. Here in southeastern Oklahoma, if I see a deer at 175 yards, he would be in the middle of the highway.:D

Out to 100 yards is about the max out here, but would prefer sitting shot with tree for rest.
 
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