Bench vs. Positions
I will say without guilt or remorse that I belong to a club with an outdoor 200yd range, and for the 3 years since I joined ALL of my shooting has been from a bench. I have not shot handguns for 20 years, although I'm in the process of getting a permit and starting up again.
But I currently own 14 rifles, and after not reloading for about 20 years, I am again doing that. Five of the rifles are inherited from my Dad and Granddad, and all five needed an initial sight-in. Three of them also needed new load work-ups.
Three of the rest are new to me within the last 2 years, and also required sight-in and scope mount. Because of changes in powder properties and new bullet types, my favorite 2 hunting rifles have required multiple iterations of reload testing.
I have also been teaching my wife and my daughter to shoot, and the first steps are trigger and breathing, as well as basic handling, safety, and range etiquette. Bench is a good way to establish those things.
Since I work as a business consultant, I mostly spend 4 nights/week in a hotel somewhere in the US, and another day or so traveling. So my time on the range is pretty limited.
I learned to shoot offhand first, starting at age 8, and never went to a range until I was in my 30's. But today, it's where I can shoot. In spite of limited opportunities, the last 6 animals I took (whitetail, antelope, and muley) were all one-shot DRT kills. Would I like to do some offhand shooting? -Sure, but first I have to get all my equipment into the best shape I can, with the best rounds I can produce.
Someone from the club might see me at a bench and say, "I wonder why that guy doesn't shoot positions? He's always at a bench, punching holes at 100 and 200 yards." -Well, there are good reasons. This summer, I have encouraged my daughter to do Appleseed. My wife has already been hunting with me, and I hope we'll be able to do more of it.
But right now, on the odd weekend, I'm the old guy at bench 12, or 14, or wherever.