Positioning Your Body for Accurate Rifle Shooting

Muzzleloading rifle shooters use a number of shooting positions. The four most common positions are prone, standing, sitting, and kneeling. Choose the position that is the most comfortable for you. When you are physically comfortable, you can hold a position for longer periods.

Prone

The prone position is the steadiest of the four positions. Because it’s the easiest to hold, it’s the best position for mastering the fundamentals of shooting—aiming, breath control, movement control, trigger squeeze, and follow-through.

Standing

The most challenging position, standing, requires both a great deal of practice and careful attention to observing the firing fundamentals.

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, pointing slightly away from the target. Keep your legs straight and knees soft.
• Right-handed shooters will support the firearm with the left hand and arm, and vice versa. Position the supporting arm perpendicular to the firearm, with the forearm resting in the supporting palm. The supporting elbow may rest on your hip or rib cage.

Sitting

Both arms are supported by your legs. Next to the prone position, this is the steadiest position.

Kneeling

With only one arm braced, the kneeling position is less steady than the prone and sitting positions.