The sitting shooting position is the 2nd stable unsupported shooting position. With prone being the most stable and standing being the least stable. In spite of its stability. The sitting shooting position is rarely used. However, once you learn how to the proper sitting shooting position you will use it all the time. It’s perfect for hunting in tall grass when you need to see over tall grass but want to be more steady than the standing position.
Why It’s Stable
We all know that the standing position isn’t stable at all because other than a sling you have nothing supporting the rifle but your muscles. On the opposite side, the prone position gives you lots of stability because your whole body is in contact with the ground and those limiting possible movement from weak muscles. With the sitting shooting position, your legs and butt are in full contact of the ground, giving you almost as must stability as if your full body is touching the ground. When positioned right you won’t notice much if any difference in movement. Especially when you use a sling correctly.
Getting Into Position
To get into position first you’re going to need to sit down. You’ll want to sit facing about 30-45 degrees from your target. You’ll want to cross your legs with your feet under your legs if possible. It doesn’t matter which leg is crossed over the other. Try it either way. Go with whichever is more comfortable. If you aren’t flexible enough to do this then you can just cross your feet and put them out front of you. With your knees spread apart.
You’ll want to put your elbows in front of your knees. If you can’t lean over that much, try on the sides of your legs. What you are looking for is the back of your arm just above your elbow contacting your legs. DO NOT put the point of your elbows on any part of your body. This will act as a bearing and let your arms move around very easily. Not something you want if you are trying to be steady.
With the Sitting Shooting Position, You’ll want to remember the steady hold factors that make this position even better. You can do it without a sling. The sling, however, makes it even better.
1. Elbow under the Rifle
Sling or no Sling having your elbow directly under the rifle keeps your muzzle from going up and down in a diagonally when you breathe. Making it easier to pause your breath at the right time to take your shot.
2. Support Hand relaxed
You’ll want your support hand relaxed so that you it doesn’t change your NPOA if or when your muscles start to get tired. When the sitting position you could be there awhile. Tired muscles are bound to happen eventually
3. Sling behind support Wrist
Having the sling behind your support wrist helps you support the rifle. Without it, the sling isn’t helping much.
4. Sling is Snug
The whole point of using a sling is to support your bones so you don’t have to use muscles. If the sling is loose it’s not supporting anything
5. Sling Well up on Support Arm
Since you’ll be using a loop sling for this position. You’ll want the loop up as close to your armpit as possible. This gives you less chance of the sling moving on you when while you shoot.
6. Neck Extended (Turkey Neck)
Extending your neck as far forward as you can, gives you a point of repeatability. If you change where you face is every time you shoot your sight picture will change just enough to make you off-center.
7. Cheek Planted on Stock(Cheek Weld)
Having your cheek planted on your rifle stock gives you one more point of solid contact with the rifle, and makes everything that much steadier.
8. Firm handshake grip
Having a firm grip on your rifle is self-explanatory, you want to make sure your hand isn’t moving around.
9. Trigger Finger Air-Gap(Not Dragging Wood)
Your trigger finger should look like a hook, with just the tip touching the trigger. This prevents you from moving the rifle around as you pull the trigger.
Changing NPOA
You should never aim your rifle by moving just the rifle. Always move your body and rifle together. This way you have a natural point of aim that is repeatable shot after shot. To change your natural point of aim in the sitting shooting position you’ll either move your feet or your butt. With your legs crossed moving your feet closer together or farther apart changes the elevation of the gun. The farther apart your feet are the lower your gun will aim. Likewise the closer they are the higher it will aim. If you move your butt to the left your gun will move right and vis a versa.
Variations
There are a few variations to the sitting shooting position. For those who can’t sit cross-legged, you can put your legs out from of you with your feet touching or crossed. If you are flexible you can sit on one foot and put the other leg up. The only problem with this is that you’re now missing one point of contact. Your trigger elbow is now unsupported. Which means you will want to make sure it’s straight out like a chicken wing. No matter what the exact position you still need to follow the fundamentals of rifle shooting.
Conclusion
The sitting shooting position is perfect for when you go prone, and need more stability than standing. Once you’ve got it down you’ll realize just how good of a position it can be. To many its comfortable, and stable. So grab a rifle sit down and practice getting into position. Someday you’ll be happy you did.