Off-hand vs bench rest shooting?

You have to sight in a rifle using a bench rest method, since the weapon has to remain as motionless as possible while firng it and performing subsequent sight adjustment.

There are actually a few thoughts about this as a matter of opinion.

A) Benchrest shooting used to be quite popular and still is, but it is not any kind of replacement for marksmanship skills

B) After sighting your rifle in, practice shooting it offhand, so as to increase marksmanship skills

C) If taking a long shot (200 yards and above), you might want to consider using some kind of rest while afield. This is because accurate shot placement is obviously more critical under these circumstances

D) If you hunt often enough in the woods where up close shots seem to be the norm--use an open-sighted rifle for quick shots.

E) Read B again. Marksmanship is what you want to strive for.

Disgusting, there is never a bench where you need one. This is exactly why we should practice rifle shooting basics. Prone, sitting, kneeling and off hand, you just can not find a place to rest your rifle when you need it out in the woods.

Everyone should learn how to use a sling also, and to do it right. This is becoming a lost art. With most slings today being nylon it's no wonder. If you get a good leather 1 1/4" military type sling, they are superior. For off hand shooting it is always a matter of practice. You do not always have time to get down and into any other proper braced shooting position. It is only ethical if used for shots made while hunting.

The only time I shoot from a bench rest is when I Sight in my weapons. all other shooting is off hand. I break that down the off hand just prior to a hunt to 70% strong side and 30% off side. I am a lefty so I use strong for dominant side or left for me. Note If you are a range rat and never hunt then this does not apply but you should always practice like you will have to shot for real.

Take 3 more shots that way, you know why? Because there are such things as lucky shots, don't always believe that because you shot off hand and made a great shot you will be able to do it again. Off hand shots in hunting should never be taken with a rifle, whether your the best marksman in the world or not. Why would you want to risk shooting up all that meat? If you cant make a shot propped up off a tree or kneeling or prone don't take it. The fun of shooting game is the adrenaline rush, knowing that you have to wait for the right shot, knowing that you can see that trophy in your sights while your heart is coming out of your chest. Follow up off hand shots are fine but if your first shot is off hand just blasting away with no regards to other hunters in the woods then your just like every other Redneck in the woods wanting to kill something.

You should shoot from the bench when sighting in, or if you're working up a new load.

There's no sense going completely in the other direction, though. Some of your shooting will be offhand, but you shouldn't neglect the other positions, either. You need to shoot enough to be comfortable from offhand, from kneeling, from sitting, and from prone. It also is useful to shoot both with a sling (at least a quick sling, not necessarily the classic military style) and without. The percentages of each won't be a particular formula, but whatever it takes for you to feel good about hitting what you're shooting at from each position.

Offhand Shooting

Shoot enough from the bench to sight in your rifle. In you need to train your finger, shoot some more. For practice for shooting, shoot a bunch in which ever position you normally shoot from. Prone and sitting are the two most stable positions. I normally shoot deer and varmints from the sitting position, unless there is little or no weeds, in which case, I will shoot prone.

Get in the habit of shooting off hand with support. A target sling or shooting sticks. Even bracing on a tree is better than shooting free handed.

Shoot from a bench when you're sighting in. Then practice off-hand if you intend to hunt.

Off hand?...... I am terrible at off hand shooting..... even with 40 years of Practice..... I either lean on a tree / rock, etc, or get down on my right knee with my left elbow on my left knee....... I get whatever I am aiming at every-time doing this.....