I read many reports and see photo proof of shooters getting nice groupings at different distances and I'm wondering how many of these are accomplished using a bench rest and how many free hand. How do most of you practice? Myself, I never use a bench rest.

I like to use a rest to see where the gun shoots, then when I freehand, I know it's me, not the gun.

If you have concerns about gun function, gun accuracy, gun POA/POI then definitely use a rest.

otherwise always shoot freestyle. also practice both strong hand and weak hand shooting.

Never touched a bench

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Bench will help get trigger control. I practice double action standing with my weak hand at 25 yards with my 4 inch 19-3.

I only use a rest to chronograph or sight in. After that it's all free hand. Mostly one handed.

Only been shooting 5 years, some targets look great (which i may post) and some you'll never see here lol.

But I have only shot while standing up, free hand. Usually the 2 hand grip, on occasion 1. But never using a table or bench. When I started and had some difficulty, I had another experienced shooter try it out. Once we saw it was me and not the gun; it was on to improving my form, etc...

I use a rest only to sight in. After that for practice I use mostly two handed holds, both right and left hand beyond 20 feet distances. Closer ranges mostly one hand for both right and left. For non-practice two hand holds are always my first choice if circumstances permit.

On occasion, I practice while leaning up against the side of the shooting lane (the divider), as if it were cover.

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Colt 45 M1911/S&W M&P Shield 9

I use a standing two hand hold for a handgun.
If I were to use a bench rest, I would try to get in the same position, eye level, two hand hold ,, hands resting on the rest,, etc. as a standing two hand hold.
I've seen POI change quite a bit going from a two hand standing position to a creedmoor shooting position.

Only time I use a rest is when sighting in and testing handloads.

I've only used a rest to sight in a new red dot.