I have shot off sticks at 50yards. The Stopped running so we stopped, sticks went up, thankfully. I was breathing hard and would not of had a stead shot. The PH had said shoot quickly we only have about five seconds. By the time he finished talking the shot was away with about 2 seconds of the five left.
Even with the sticks I was breathing to hard to go for a brain shot so went for a heart shot.
How right or wrong the PH was about the time the Buff would stand still, I don't know. His experience and knowledge of the animal was one of the things I was paying him for.

Another time I did not want the sticks and a different PH was saying use the sticks. The Baboon was only 20 mts away. Did as I was instructed, but did not want to do, and yes I missed. The one leg of the sticks were on deadfall covering a hole just as I fired (as soon as the rifle was on the sticks) the deadfall gave way and the sticks moved. The PH was not happy I missed and I was not happy with him for insisting on it. When I showed him why he apologized. He like another PH I came across just had dealt with too many people who could not shoot without a rest. Told me after that incident that If I wanted the sticks to ask for them.

I agree that too many people go to the range and shoot off the bench and not free hand. I for one need to spend more time free hand shooting.