I've shot in an indoor smallbore four position league for nearly 30 years...... Lately, as to be expected on the wrong side of 70, I think....my scores have fallen and I'm no longer very competitive. Tonight, I decided to shoot all five targets offhand (which the league will allow): it's more comfortable, I enjoy shooting my silhouette rifles, I worry less about score and more about actually shooting a good shot, and silhouette rifle is my favorite summer game. I figure it can't hurt, can it? Anybody else do this? Can you see any drawbacks to it? Just really good practice, right? What do you think?

I understand completely. Standing is easy. I can get down to prone but make a lot of noise and disturb others when I get up. Sitting is comfortable only in a recliner and the padding in my knees has moved to my waist. Yes others also stand and many others shoot benchrest.
Merry Christmas

Sounds like a plan to me. Nothing wrong with shooting all offhand, why bother with the uncomfortable positions like prone and kneeling/sitting etc. Plus when you put the beat down on someone shooting in position from only standing offhand you really make them feel bad

When I used to shoot FT I eventually ended up shooting every lane offhand it was more fun and challenging than sitting on my ass. Was great to drop targets at 50+ yards offhand before the next guy sits down with his straps and 50x scope and knee rest and misses the same targets.

They make 50' paper silhouette targets as well in case you didn't know. You could shoot these as well for real silhouette practice.


Dee

2 shooter do that in our Gallery league because of bad knees.

We ran a weekly Smallbore Instructional League during off-months. Most guys shot 4P for practice; I shot either the A-17 target offhand with my silhouette rifle in all stages or the reduced 50' silhouette target. Both were/are good practice for reasons previously cited; mostly it was easier than getting in/out of position and there less equipment to haul back and forth, to say nothing of good practice mid-week. Go for it!

I think it is a great idea. I had a total knee replacement and I can't bend my knee enough to get into a stable kneeling position.