Shooting from kneeling unsupported

[FlyD10]

Any tips for shooting kneeling unsupported with bigger calibers?

With my 300wm I’m about a 4.5 moa shooter from a kneeling position with no sticks, tripod, or any other support besides a little sling tension. Standing/ offhand I’m more like a 7-8moa shooter with that rifle.

Maybe that’s ok shooting too, I don’t really know cause everybody on the Internet is always shooting prone or off the bench it seems and not sharing their unsupported groups.


Rife is a weatherby mark v accumark 300wm with a 5” can shooting 200 grain federal terminal ascent. Weighs about 9lbs scoped.

pics:

white target is a 4 shot and 3 shot group prone off my pack.

Splatter target is a few I sent in between shooting steel from kneeling unsupported. 3 on the middle right and 2 on the bottom right.

Was shooting at a 4 moa steel and hitting about 2 in 4 shots so decided to print for a quick check.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’m curious about this because I don’t like shooting from the kneeling position. I’ve never found it to be a necessary position when compared with hasty sitting or a more deliberate sitting position.

If you look at the USMC marksmanship publications, it will tell you to get low and do things my knees don’t like doing any more.

 

[Scoutfan]

Best tip is a lot of quality practice. You can make little changes in your form that can make positive or negative differences. I would recommend practicing with a 223 or even a 22lr until you are happy with your groups.
I have to shoot quickly especially from offhand or my accuracy gets worse. This year I shot a deer at 140 yards kneeling. Last year it was 130 offhand. Neither shot was perfect but both drop in their tracks.
Keep up the practice - I doubt many folks do. Being proficient at those 2 positions will give you a lot more shot opportunitys.

 

[207North]

Try out rice paddy prone. It is a little lower than kneeling but fast and stable.

 

[Scoutfan]

I’m curious about this because I don’t like shooting from the kneeling position. I’ve never found it to be a necessary position when compared with hasty sitting or a more deliberate sitting position.

If you look at the USMC marksmanship publications, it will tell you to get low and do things my knees don’t like doing any more.

The lower the better no doubt. Problem is a lot of places I hunt have just enough grass or scrub brush to not allow a sitting position. Also kneeling is a very fast position to get into and quiet a bit more stable than offhand.
I also agree that my knees don't like it one bit!

 

[hereinaz]

Look at Form’s drill. I think standing is 7”ish, kneeling is 4”ish and so on.

The goal isn’t groups, it’s killing.

If you center your 7” group over the target, then you are winning.

 

[hereinaz]

The lower the better no doubt. Problem is a lot of places I hunt have just enough grass or scrub brush to not allow a sitting position. Also kneeling is a very fast position to get into and quiet a bit more stable than offhand.
I also agree that my knees don't like it one bit!

Use a walking stick/trekking pole when you can? Makes it much easier to shoot small groups.

You aren’t shooting 300 yards without support, standing or kneeling, it for fast shots.

Distance gives time and opportunity to build a position.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Don't shoot kneeling because I have 2 replacement knees and it is very uncomfortable....LOL!

 

[Scoutfan]

I only feel comfortable out around 200 yards with either. I use my trekking poles from the sitting position,shooting and glassing. The wisener quick stix add on is worth every penny.
Trees! I really like trees better than kneeling but they aren't always handy when you need them.

 

[Choupique]

I’m about a 4.5 moa shooter from a kneeling position with no sticks, tripod, or any other support besides a little sling tension

Im no shoot 2 hunt instructor but that sounds pretty good to me?

 

[3325]

Any tips for shooting kneeling unsupported with bigger calibers?

The best tip is try to avoid kneeling and use sitting whenever possible.

Having said that, I’ve killed two elk from kneeling unsupported, including this year’s cow. The sage was at a height that I couldn’t quite see when sitting.

Besides breath and trigger control, bone alignment is crucial:

“The left elbow is placed forward of the left knee joint and supported theron. Left hand, left elbow, and left foot should all be held in the same vertical plane.” - Jeff Cooper in “Art of the Rifle”

Use a shooting sling when possible.

 

[FlyD10]

Best tip is a lot of quality practice. You can make little changes in your form that can make positive or negative differences. I would recommend practicing with a 223 or even a 22lr until you are happy with your groups.
I have to shoot quickly especially from offhand or my accuracy gets worse. This year I shot a deer at 140 yards kneeling. Last year it was 130 offhand. Neither shot was perfect but both drop in their tracks.
Keep up the practice - I doubt many folks do. Being proficient at those 2 positions will give you a lot more shot opportunitys.

Do this kind of practice on most range days with 22 & 223 and you’re right, it definitely has improved my proficiency. Lots of dry fire practice from these positions too. I think I’ve got to work on more core engagement to keep on target/ reduce muzzle rise after the recoil from my bigger calibers.

 

[Macintosh]

kneeling unsupported is by far my most practiced position. Its what I revert to when I cant realistically get to a tree to brace off, and standing offhand is my other option. I think its significantly faster, quieter and much easier to readjust from compared to sitting. It takes literally half a second to get in position, whereas any sort of sitting position requires more time, movement, noise, etc for me. Forms hunting rifle drill is great for this to gauge ability and track progress—I just sub my own positions. Same with a kraft drill, except I like to use a separate terget for each position so I can track progress on that one position. That doesnt mean Im great at it, just that for a walking hunter in the woods I think it should be priority to practice.

Inthink if you can legit hold 4.5moa groups on any kind of a time limit you are doing well in my book. I use the 5moa target on my hunting rifle drill paper targets for this position, and I think thats a reasonable goal to stay within for me on a time limit. And obviously you can see your baseline and work on improvement from there.

My standard is left knee forward for a R handed shooter. Kneel, but SIT on my right heel so torso is supported. Left elbow out on knee. Same exact position as pictured above.

Agree 100% on the comment about old knees. I grimace watching some of the kids at matches. Im jealous, but man it hurts just to watch. I like this^ position in part because its relatively friendly to high-mileage joints, and its as easy as Ive found to get up or re-position from.