Project Appleseed

I found this site to be helpful with the TC 3-22.9 Rifle and Carbine Marksmanship extracts describing the various positions. I was particularly interested in the open-legged seated position as I find it more functional in rapid fire stage 2 with a bolt action rifle. Elsewhere on this site the author, a former soldier, describes other positions.

https://www.everydaymarksman.co/marksmanship/sitting-position-rifle/


This is from the TC (used with an M16/M4)

Face the target at a 10 to 30-degree angle.
Place the feet approximately shoulder width apart.
Place the nonfiring hand under the handguard.
Bend at the knees while breaking the fall with the firing hand. Push backward with the feet to extend the legs and place the buttocks on ground
Place both the firing and nonfiring elbow inside the knees.
Grasp the rifle butt with the firing hand and place into the firing shoulder pocket.
Grasp the pistol grip with the firing hand.
Lower the firing elbow to the inside of the firing knee.
Place the cheek firmly against the stock to obtain a firm stock weld.
Move nonfiring hand to a location under the handguard that provides maximum bone support and stability for the weapon.

see also the illustration that shows the key points for the position.


msc

In a couple of places he writes, "Bend forward at the waist." But a much better method is to bend from the hips, not from the waist. I instruct shooters to keep the back straight as they bend forward, only relaxing it to allow the weight to rest on the knees.

Bending at the waist has a number of negative effects:

- elbows are too high to rest on the knees
- lungs are constricted
- neck is too horizontal so head cranes back to see the target
- center of gravity is too close to the spine, allowing recoil to push shooter off balance

Ken Roxburgh in one of his excellent videos provides a great cue for bending at the hips: As soon as you sit down, scootch your butt back. This naturally flexes the hips.