Did our forebearers use a shooting rest or stick for rifles?

[Rob M.]

Riflemen were known for kills at great distances- 200+ yards was not unheard of. They practiced and demonstrated using targets much smaller than a man. My question here is did they often use some kind of rest to steady the rifle? Tree branch, log, rock, stick, or even laying back and resting it on crossed legs as I've seen in a sketch of a British rifleman? I have my doubts such accuracy was reliably achieved offhand.

Thoughts?

Yep

 

[oldwood]

As far as rifle rests being used by hunters in the Appalachian mtns. , and Ohio River area , all I have read in books mention no use of portable rifle rests , except possibly a handy tree of log.