I hold it like I plan to shoot it in the field. I want to know how it reacts to a hunting hold.
This is a very good plan. Unless you expect a bench to spring up in your favorite game field, it makes sense to shoot it like you plan to use it.
I will shoot from a bench for convenience in a way that duplicates field positions with a sling - downward pressure on the forestock, none on the scope or barrel, and a firm handshake grip on the rear stock. A rifle with a decent stock will experience no POI shift between that and slung prone/barricade/slung sitting
