{"id":292,"date":"2022-09-14T11:24:43","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T11:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=292"},"modified":"2022-09-14T11:24:43","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T11:24:43","slug":"four-tips-for-maximizing-your-shooting-prone-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=292","title":{"rendered":"Four Tips for Maximizing Your Shooting Prone Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"player-inline-wrapper no-margin-top\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe class=\"player-inline\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/726800474?h=98e649e71e&amp;api=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"byline\">By <a class=\"byline-author ajax-home\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/author\/gunspot\/\">GunSpot<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dropcap\">S<\/span>hooting from the prone position is the most stable shooting position that there is. Being low to the earth and having almost all of your body stretched out across it leaves less room for human error with the rifle. The prone position is the preferred position by many when it comes time to sight in an optic because the position is so rock-solid and dependable.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture class=\"wp-image-32626\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p2.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p2-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p2-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p2-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption>Shooting from the prone position can vastly improve your long-range accuracy. However, there is more to it than just lying on the\u00a0deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The biggest obstacle is usually visibility. The curvature of the ground can get in the way or the height of the grass can obscure your target. If visibility allows, prone is in our opinion the best position to sight in a rifle.<\/p>\n<h2>Four Steps<\/h2>\n<p>If you have shied away from prone and you\u2019re not comfortable with it, here are four steps to get you in the correct form and shooting to the best of your ability.<\/p>\n<h2>Getting Behind the Rifle<\/h2>\n<p>First of all, set your rifle down and have it pointed at the target. Then, fall into position behind it. You really want to focus on a natural alignment to the target. Your body needs to naturally and comfortably line up with the target. If you have to fight your alignment while making shots, it will make things more difficult.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-32627\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3.jpg\" alt=\"getting behind the rifle when shooting prone\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption>To start with, place your rifle on the deck pointed toward the target. Then, fall into a position directly behind\u00a0it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Position Your Legs<\/h2>\n<p>Second, you want to take your legs and spread them out in a wide V-shape. You also don\u2019t want to be up on your toes. You want your legs and feet turned out so everything can lie as flat against the ground as possible. With your feet down, this will help with your mitigation of recoil. It will also help you be more still since you increase your surface area and it keeps you lower so you don\u2019t unnecessarily catch the wind.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-32628\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4-768x512.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4.jpg\" alt=\"Foot position while shooting from prone position\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption>To minimize movement and error, try to have your feet flat on the deck. This eliminates user-induced wobble that can come from being on your\u00a0toes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Get the Right Eye Relief<\/h2>\n<p>Third, don\u2019t let the prone position mess up your eye relief. Find where that cheek rest point is for you where you see no scope shadow and where you don\u2019t have to strain your neck to make it happen.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-32629\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46.jpg\" alt=\"eye relief\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/scopeswap__46-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption>Eye relief is important. Get the proper placement so that you are not straining your neck, which can lead to a loss of concentration and the addition of\u00a0movement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Focus on Your Hand Grip<\/h2>\n<p>And the last thing to focus on in the prone is your shooting hand grip. Some people will instruct you to almost have no grip on the gun at all when you pull the trigger. This is one method that is taught with the idea that a light grip has less of a chance of moving the rifle. However, we suggest you match your grip to the weight of your rifle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter inline\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"logo-tal-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/themes\/thearmorylife\/img\/logo-tal-tm-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our <a class=\"ajax-giveaways\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/giveaways\/\"><strong>monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>For example, if you are shooting a rifle that is very lightweight like the Model 2020 Waypoint, you might need a firmer grip to make sure that rifle isn\u2019t blown around by the wind. Plus, you might need that grip to manage the recoil. But if you are using a heavier gun like a Loaded M1A Precision Rifle with a National Match barrel, you can lighten that grip up.<\/p>\n<h2>Bonus Tip: Bipod &amp; Support Bag<\/h2>\n<p>Shooting in prone will be much easier with a <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/bipods-101-everything-you-need-to-know\/\">good bipod<\/a> on the front of your rifle, and if you can have a rear support bag as well. These two things, again, take more human error out of the equation, build a strong position and put you in a good spot to shoot.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-32630\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1-800x483.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1-400x242.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1-768x464.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"846\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1.jpg\" alt=\"bipod on a Waypoint 2020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1-800x483.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1-400x242.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/p1-768x464.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption>A bipod and rear support bag can also help you to stay on target with a minimum of user-induced\u00a0movement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Next time you have to sight in a rifle or you have to shoot 100 yards or more, try getting down in the prone position. You may not shoot in it regularly, but now is as good a time as any to start. In this position, you will be more accurate and waste less time and rounds.<\/p>\n<p>Prone isn\u2019t just a position for shooting at the range, either. The prone position has some serious tactical advantages when in combat situations, too. We fully plan to do another training piece on using the prone position in some real-world tactical applications soon, so make sure you stay tuned on\u00a0<em>The Armory Life<\/em>\u00a0and on the GunSpot YouTube Channel.<\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-forum-thread hide-share\"><span>Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"forum-thread-button-wrapper hide-share\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/forum\/threads\/12012\/\">Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-featured hide-share\"><span>Featured in this video<\/span><\/h5>\n<section class=\"featured hide-share grid-three\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-model-2020 \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/model-2020-series-rifles\/model-2020-waypoint-rifles\/model-2020-waypoint-65-creedmoor-rifle-carbon-fiber-barrel-evergreen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-65creedmoor\">65<sup>Creedmoor<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1.9rem;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/BAW92265CMCFG.png\" alt=\"Model 2020 Waypoint w\/ Carbon Fiber Barrel\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>Model 2020 <span>Waypoint w\/ Carbon Fiber Barrel<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-m1a \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/m1a-series-rifles\/m1a-loaded-rifles\/m1a-loaded-precision-65-creedmoor-rifle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-65creedmoor\">65<sup>Creedmoor<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/MP9826C65.png\" alt=\"M1A\u2122 Loaded Precision\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>M1A\u2122 <span>Loaded Precision<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.bushnell.com\/riflescopes\/elite-tactical\/elite-tactical-xrs-ii-4.5-30x50-riflescope-gun-metal-gray\/BU-ET46305GI.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 60%;\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/product-bushnell-elitetactical-xrs-ii-45-30x50-riflescope-gray.jpg.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/product-bushnell-elitetactical-xrs-ii-45-30x50-riflescope-gray.jpg\" alt=\"Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS II 4.5-30x50\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>Bushnell <span>Elite Tactical XRS II 4.5-30&#215;50<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.accu-shot.com\/Atlas_Bipods.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 60.75%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/product-bt-v8-atlas-bipod.jpg\" alt=\"B&amp;T Atlas Bipods\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>B&amp;T <span>Atlas Bipods<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.usoptics.com\/product\/fdn-25x\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 81%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/product-us-optics-fdn25.jpg\" alt=\"U.S. Optics FDN 25X\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>U.S. Optics <span>FDN 25X<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/four-tips-for-maximizing-your-shooting-prone-skills\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By GunSpot Shooting from the prone position is the most stable shooting position that there is. Being low to the earth and having almost all of your body stretched out across it leaves less room for human error with the rifle. The prone position is the preferred position by many when it comes time to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}