Recently, technology has solved quite of few of yesteryear's shooting bugaboos. Perhaps the most notable new tool is the laser rangefinder. And where once upon a time an accurate rifle was to be cherished and nurtured like an old bottle of Scotch, today's hunter can burn up barrels until the cows come home because there is no shortage of accurate aftermarket barrels.

There is, however, a shortage of rifle shooters who can shoot well using field positions. Go to any range today and count the number of shooters practicing from any position other than the bench. The truth is, once our shooting pacifier--called a benchrest--is taken away, most of us struggle to shoot good groups in the field.

Jack O'Connor once wrote that a good rifleman should be able to shoot two-m.o.a. groups in the field from a prone position. What if I told you that you could, with an accurate rifle, shoot one-m.o.a. groups from a field position that did not require you to shoot prone but sitting?

Long-range shooting presents a number of problems, even assuming that the rifle in your hands has the prerequisite accuracy. Holding the rifle steady is one. Many shooters assume that prone, while not as steady as a benchrest, is the best tonic for a long-range shot. The ultra-long-range crowd almost mandates the prone position. However, prone has one huge problem: You can rarely use it when huning. How many times have you spotted an animal at long range and had an opportunity to shoot from the prone position?

My longest shot opportunities have come while hunting antelope, caribou and sheep. In no case did I shoot from a prone position. In fact, I can recall shooting only three animals from a prone position, which remains for me the least-used shooting position while hunting. But before I describe my secret weapon, let's explore the basis for it: the sitting position with a shooting sling.

Sitting is by far the most practical field position because it almost always gets you above vegetation in relatively open country while remaining stable.

The classic sitting position incorporates a shooting sling. Most hunters think they have a sling, but unless that sling has a loop with which to tighten on your left arm (assuming you are right-handed), you have only a carrying strap.

A proper shooting sling has two pieces, each of which forms a loop. The shooter inserts his left arm through the top loop and then tightens the loop by sliding two keepers until they are snug against the arm. The left hand then cradles the fore-end, tight against the fore-end sling swivel stud.

A properly adjusted sling will require the shooter to push the butt forward with his right hand to get it into the right shoulder pocket.

Recently I shot a Canada moose at 125 yards using a shooting sling and the sitting position. My guide suggested that I use the frame of his backpack as a rest; I declined as I had already tightened the loop around my left arm and assumed a dead steady sitting position. The moose was facing head on as I broke the trigger with the crosshairs resting under its chin.

After years of practice, I can keep my shots below one m.o.a. using the tight sling sitting position--except when the wind blows much over 5 mph.

However, wonderful as the qualities of the sitting position are, there is an even better position--bipod sitting with a tight sling. This position will allow a decent shooter to shoot groups in the field that measure less than one m.oa. with a capable rifle.

To use this position, you will need a sitting-model bipod with sling stud, such as those offered by Harris Engineering, a shooting sling (see sidebar), and an accurate rifle with standard sling swivel studs and detachable swivels.

Continued - click on page link below.