[rickkyw1720pf]

I have been thinking about all the times I have been to the range. I have only seen a few people that didn't use the bench and usually bags or a gun rest to shoot from. I think a lot of people would be very disapointed on how much their groups will open if they didn't have a bench to steady their rifles.

Probably what would be much more important than seeing how tight you can group your shots is to see how fast from a standing position you can place 5 to 10 rounds in a 10" circle at 100 yards.
I will have to admit that I am as guilty as anybody about spending the day at the range and using the bench instead of free style shooting.

 

[wesley762]

I don't think I have ever been to a Range to shoot. We just go out into the desert or mountains. I would not even know what it is like to shoot sitting at a bench. I think that you are right on point about this. Best way to shoot is how you would use it in real life.

 

[Meangreen]

I can't stand bench rest shooting! I usually don't go to ranges because you spend most of the time behind the red line waiting for people to replace their targets. I use the range at work or my shooting area on public land. When I shoot, it is always on the move or shooting drills with multiple targets. Rifle is prone, kneeling, or off hand. It is amazing how many people have never shot on the move because all their shooting has been done a t a shooting lane in a club.

 

[AquaHull]

I bench my new loads in to see how they group, maybe to certify zero. Then it's offhand shooting only.

 

[Meangreen]

When I need to work on my technique and style, I always turn to the Liberians!

 

[Prepadoodle]

I learned everything I know about guns from this guy...

 

[Smitty901]

I am sure we all understand the bench is to vet the rifle and or ammo not the shooter.
They only way to compare rounds is to give them a level playing field the bench.
To find a rifles true MOA the bench to verify the zero bench. After that shoot it the real world.

 

[Mic]

I agree, but think that in addition to offhand shooting, it's a good idea to use whatever makeshift items you can to increase your range - the hood of a car, 2 branches improvised as shooting sticks, resting on the branch of a tree, etc.

 

[Boss Dog]

I have an uncle who just cannot shoot a deer standing still. He has to spook 'em and get them running and then they're DRT! He's a very good off-hand shot.

 

[Infidel]

Usually if I'm at the range I'm testing loads for a particular rifle. I always make sure to run a few rounds from field positions while I'm there though. Without bench work you really have no idea what a particular rifle is capable of so therefor you have no gauge of how you're shooting from field positions. Off hand at 100yds I can keep my shots within the 8 ring of a standard B-27 with iron sights, not great shooting but fair enough for my purposes. I prefer the B-27 for iron sighted rifles from field positions since a 6" bullseye at 100 yds is pretty hard for me to see and pretty much disappears behind the front post of just about any rifle (damn eyes get worse every year).

-Infidel

 

[Nathan Jefferson]

Agree. Shooting from a bench is only good for tuning sights or loads, etc. I really wish there were more places I could shoot and move - most of my shooting now-a-days is either BBs or Airsoft because I don't have to drive hours away to find somewhere where I can shoot and move. (puts on a flame-suit after mentioning BB and Airsoft guns)

 

[bigdogbuc]

I like to zero from the bench, then shoot off hand. At least I know if I miss, it's all on me. But you have to admit, rifles with optics are meant to be shot from a bench; whether it be an actual bench, a branch or the ground. Nothing like trying to keep those crosshairs still at full magnification for a long distance shot.

 

[Tundra Dweller]

I use my bi pods as often as possible.. Unless that buck is running... I find it easy to lead a animal as opposed to trying to hold perfect still..

 

[Verteidiger]

It really isn't shooting unless you are on the move and your target is also moving.

I zero on the bench, and I shoot off the bench, then I shoot offhand, kneeling, sitting, prone, and around barriers and obstacles. I have shot movers, and it is very fun, but you burn up some ammo until you get how to lead a target right figured out.

I also shoot trap and skeet, but love to shoot bouncing bunny clays the most.

But I have to confess - I have never been shot at while I was shooting, and I have never been hunted when I go hunting.

That would be the ultimate test. I can shoot pretty well - but man hunting man is a totally different experience most people will never have.

And most of those I have met who have done it don't seem to care for it too much...or want to relive the experience. Just sayin'!

I will tell you - shooting a bouncing bunny clay pigeon hopping sideways with bad hops with an assault rifle is pretty hard - try it sometime....

 

[Smitty901]

Agree. Shooting from a bench is only good for tuning sights or loads, etc. I really wish there were more places I could shoot and move - most of my shooting now-a-days is either BBs or Airsoft because I don't have to drive hours away to find somewhere where I can shoot and move. (puts on a flame-suit after mentioning BB and Airsoft guns)

Why the flame suit. When Kids were young we had an air gun that shot small darts. Rainy day the stair way door suffered big time.
In door train with good air guns was a good way to improve marksmanship

 

[rickkyw1720pf]

Why the flame suit. When Kids were young we had an air gun that shot small darts. Rainy day the stair way door suffered big time.
In door train with good air guns was a good way to improve marksmanship

We would buy a 500 pack of BBs and spend the whole day in the woods. We felt safe with our trusty BB guns. Never knew what you may run into. Those were the days of the B movies like "attack of the killer tomatoes".