Got yourself a rifle and you’re not trying to shoot your shot at a target?
You’ve come to the right place! Here I discuss the 4 basic positions for shooting, and how to take advantage of each one.
When I learned that there were multiple positions and uses for them, my shooting has improved A LOT!
With the target in our heads, let’s begin!
Contents
The 4 Basic Rifle Shooting Positions for Marksmanship and Long-Range Shooting
When you’re a hunter, it’s pretty common to not have any gun rest time.
In these situations, it’s essential to assume one of the four different shooting positions.
In the end, even without any rest from keeping your guns upright, you don’t want to miss your shot.
But hey, the correct body position you choose could still depend on the visibility of your target.
So how exactly are you supposed to choose which shooting position to go with? That’s what I’m here for — to build your confidence in practice!
Whether you’re going to use a rifle or a shotgun for hunting, these are the shooting positions you need to learn and master.
Let the hunting and trigger battles BEGIN!
1. Standing Position
Let’s begin with the most difficult of the four positions? Just to get it out of the way as early as possible.
The position where you’re standing is the most challenging of all the four positions.
There won’t be any other support apart from your own muscle strengths.
For someone who wasn’t that strong at the time, I definitely struggled the first time I tried this position.
You’ll be standing on your own, so there’s nothing to lean on to — so it’s not a steady position to work with.
Apart from being the most difficult, this position where you stand also happens to be the least effective for long distances.
That is, the point of this shot is to only use it for more short-range shots.
It’s the QUICKEST position to adopt, and it allows you to get a good sight picture of your target.
Think of it as an instant vantage point, for example.
To achieve accurate shooting with this position, stand perpendicular to the hunting target, with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart.
Keep that stance strong on the grass, and the more your bullet shoots directly.
Of course, that’s assuming you’ve been doing some practice shooting.
Right Handers: Body Position and Target Sight
For right-handed hunting shooters, your left hand (or support hand) should be holding the fore-end stock, and your elbows should be pointing towards the grass.
In this position, the body should be aligned as follows: right hand holds the grip, with elbows pointing outwards.
Butt of the rifle? Keep it snug against your shoulder.
And once you’re ready to fire in this standing position, don’t forget to keep your finger off of the trigger until then!
Then again, that is the rule of every shooting hunter.
2. Kneeling Position
In the kneeling position, the rear knee is placed directly on the grass, with the other leg supporting the elbow of the forward arm.
Think of it as using your leg as a support for both your target arm and firearm, if you’d like.
But you have to remember that in the kneeling position, the elbow should NOT be placed on the kneecap.
At least, not bone to bone!
As a shooting hunter trying to keep hand in hand with their fast target, you don’t want to wobble before you even get that shot in.
Instead, your shooting elbow should be placed on the muscle just above your knee.
What’s that called? Right, the quadriceps.
This is a position you’ll commonly see when hunters take a waist-high cover, for relatively good sight alignment with their hunting target.
3. Sitting Position
I use this position when I lean against a tree, and I’m sure you’ve seen other hunters try it too.
Providing the most theoretical amount of rest, the sitting position allows Both arms to be supported.
Even then, every hunter must still remember that there should be no direct contact between the elbow and the kneecap.
Keep the elbow holding the rifle barrel just above the kneecap to prevent any wobbling. This is your supporting arm.
What’s good about a proper sitting position is you’re able to sit down with either your legs apart or with your legs crossed.
How do you position yourself depending on the trigger situation?
Find out through tons of practice shooting.
You can achieve the steadiest sitting position by wrapping your arm around your knee and resting the fore-end stock on your arm (which should now be sitting at a bent angle).
I also use a bipod or table for support if I don’t want to use my body.
4. Prone Position
Next of the basic shooting positions is everyone’s favorite: the prone position!