Editor Mike taps into his vast reservoir of airgun expertise and assumes the position
British style (right leg cocked)
Q. I like shooting prone, but I’m not too sure of the exact position. What should I be doing with my legs?
A. Prone is the most stable position there is, especially if you’re able to support your rifle with a bipod or bag – but not all prone positions were created equal. The most common position, which I’ll loosely refer to as the British position, is to have one leg extended and one cocked. In the case of a right-handed shooter, that means their left leg will be the one stretched back, while their right thigh will be tucked up roughly at an angle of 90 degrees.
Freestyle (comfy crossover)
The British position is relatively stable, but the main benefit is the fact that it partially lifts the shooter’s chest off the ground, minimising the effect their breathing will have when taking a shot. An alternative position, favoured by the Germans, is to extend both legs with the toes facing outward. This is more stable than the British position, but keeps the shooter’s chest on the ground, which in turn means the rise and fall of their chest may influence their shot.
German style (legs wide open)
A third option, which I’ll call freestyle, is to find the position that you find most comfortable. While I know both of the above positions are more stable, I prefer to just cross one foot over the other behind me; but you can develop your own stance. I find the British position particularly uncomfortable to adopt and hold for any length of time. If you’re shooting on your club range, perhaps the British or German option is best, but if you’re lying up ambushing rabbits, comfort will be the most important factor in making a successful shot.
This article originally appeared in the issue 98 of Airgun Shooter magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
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