Bench Shooting Technique

Shooting from the bench gives you more stability and balance than shooting from any other position. Shooting from a bench rest is useful when sighting in a gun or trying to shoot the most precise group possible. There are a number of techniques used to shoot from a bench rest. The bench shooting technique you want to use will vary depending on the type of rifle you are using, the equipment you have and the distance at which you are shooting.

Things You'll Need

  • Rifle
  • Shooting bench
  • Bench rest
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a high-quality shooting bench. Any bench you intend to shoot from should be level, solid and stable. The bench should be big enough to let you place your gun and any gear you will need on it's surface.

    • 2

      Seat yourself comfortably at the shooting bench. If you are not comfortable sitting at the bench without shooting, you will not be able to make accurate shots when you begin shooting from a bench rest.

    • 3

      Place the rifle on the bench rests. Position the rifle so that the front of the barrel is resting on the front rest and the butt of the stock is sitting on the back rest.

    • 4

      Sit down at the bench and place your shoulder against the butt of the rifle. For a right handed shooter, place your right hand in its regular position at the trigger and use your left hand to hold onto the back rest. Place your hands in the opposite positions if you are left handed. If you are shooting a long distance, you should see the target in the center of your reticle. For shorter distances, align the target in your iron sights. Adjust the rests if necessary to get the target into the scope or sights.

    • 5

      Fire the rifle when the sight picture is correct. If you are shooting a high-power rifle, make sure you have the butt firmly against your shoulder when you pull the trigger to avoid injuries from recoil. Practice breath control just as you would from any other position.

    • 6

      Adjust the rifle so that it is in the same position as it was before you fired a shot. Align the target in the sights again, and fire another shot. Fire a group of at least five rounds with the rifle in the same position and using the same sight picture to get an idea of how precise a group your rifle can shoot.