So I was recently discussing shooting off of a bench vs prone using only a bipod with the use of a rear bag only. (no automatic or fancy rest.)
The topic came up because there are some upcoming shoots that are prone, but a bench may be used if the shooter is impaired by injury etc. I have always been told that prone is the most stable position and I see some better shooters usually going prone. Personally I hate prone even though I feel I shoot about the same.
So hopefully without getting in a pissing match I would like to hear some thoughts on the positions.

Does one platform have advantage over another?

Which would you choose if you had a choice ?

Does one platform or discipline keep you from wanting to shoot?

I don’t shoot prone. I have done it and don’t like it. I’m sure it has to do with my physical fitness or lack there of. The fat rolls in my neck don’t like it either.

I will not shoot if prone is the only option. A few rounds maybe, but 50-100 is out.

Prone just seems uncomfortable, and I don't like laying on the ground cuz I'm lazy. Bench for me.

I’ll call them equal....if it’s a good bench that is stable as the ground. Otherwise, prone.

I shoot better from a bench than I do prone, I’m sure a lot of that is because that’s how I shoot the most. If I shoot more prone I’d probably feel differently.

I can shoot either and am not the greatest granted. Prone works best for me as my scrawny azz can get lower. Off a bench just takes a little more time to set up. I can set up the shot either way though and take it. Making it who knows lol

I prefer prone. I can’t control the rifle better as far as recoil and spotting my hits/misses. With bench shooting I have too much input from a caffeinated heart beat, it really makes me work hard at shooting tiny groups.

Agree with Wade....BUT, it also hurts my neck enough that I choose bench when offered.

Whomever said prone isn't stable doesn't know what they're talking about. Never have seen any shooter at a PRS match shoot from a bench, but I've seen hundreds of thousands of rounds fired from prone. I shoot off a bench for two days shooting prairie dogs. The rest of the year, I shoot prone. Not all benches are equal, and to get steady and comfortable anyone really needs an adjustable height chair. You will not combat recoil very much from the bench. All you've got is your shoulder pressing against the stock. Prone, you can get all your body weight behind the rifle, and you can load the bipod much more. You have to take into account your breathing more, and shoot on the exhale.

I shoot several magnum rifles a year, and almost always I get DOPE to 800 yards for the owner. I'm alone, with no spotter, so I had better see where that round goes, if I've got the correction wrong, or have a wind miss. Prone, straight behind the rifle, load the bipod, exhale, slow squeeze. Rinse, lather, repeat.

I feel like I do my best prone. I don’t shoot competitions, but several times when I’m gonna shoot at the end of my comfort zone if possible I will climb out of the deer blind and put my bipod on and shoot prone instead of shooting from the blind.

Recoil management is typically better controlled in the prone as a lot of "shooting" benches aren't ideally setup for the shooter to get straight behind the rifle.

I prefer prone, but... During the summer time, if the location I'm shooting at is not elevated and I'm even with the ground, I will try to go bench. The mirage will mess with you and change up image of where the target actually is. I am more stable prone. It is slightly less comfortable than a bench, but the benefit is stability.

prone is yesteryear for me, I used to like prone back in the Ft. Wolters days. Herniated discs and spinal stenosis have "benched" me

I will shoot prone for a few rounds, like at Jason's old Hunting rifle matches, when I get tired of waiting on a bench to come open, I'll climb the tower and go prone.

Accuracy wise, I would say "The same."

Like already stated prone is more stable but less comfy for me. For me felt recoil is less from the bench with the more potent calibers but follow through is easier to keep consistent prone. These days at 59 years old I prefer shooting from a bench for comfort.

Prone. Some of my best shots on game have been from some set ups I have on elevated ground. I'm so confident with it that I carry hand shears and all my hunting rifles have bipods so that If I find some good ground I can make it work. Camo'd up, with the grass or brush trimmed just enough to clear the barrel and my line of sight, it gives great concealment. It's warmer also.

I feel much more stable prone than I do bench. I’m like Wade, way to much user input on the bench for me. Even with my 22 I can feel the rifle move a bit when I shoot and it’s hard to see misses. Laying prone my rifle doesn’t move and I can actually see the bullet flying through the air in my scope. If I have a choice I’m always going to choose prone.

For me, it seems prone might be a bit more stable but is very uncomfortable with my neck and back so I always choose bench when possible. I can shoot prone only a few shots before the pain sets in.

Prone. It is comfortable if your head is positioned properly. On my belly for 5.5 hours popping Prairie Dogs last month. Worth every minute.

I imagine age and condition has a lot to do with it. At almost 57 now with knees that sound like a box of snap, crackle pops my prone days are behind me.

I think many things factor into this, such as a person’s stature, experience, rifle/scope fit, etc. Either works for me.