Crossing-Bird Lead
How far ahead of a crossing target to hold, from its speed and the shot's time of flight.
How this works
This estimates how long the shot string takes to cross the distance to the target, then multiplies that time by how fast the target itself is moving sideways — giving the distance ahead of the target you'd need to have been aiming at the moment you pulled the trigger.
Why real shooting technique differs
In practice, most successful wingshooters use a sustained swing or pull-away technique that naturally builds in the right lead through motion, rather than picking a fixed lead distance and holding it. This number is most useful as a sanity check on how much lead a given crossing angle and speed actually requires — useful for understanding shot difficulty, less so as something to consciously apply shot-to-shot.
Frequently asked questions
Do experienced wingshooters actually calculate lead like this?
Not usually in the moment — most rely on a sustained swing or pull-away technique that builds in the right lead through motion. This number is more useful for understanding how much lead a given shot actually requires than for conscious application mid-shot.
Why does faster shot velocity reduce the lead needed?
A faster shot string reaches the target sooner, giving the crossing bird less time to move before impact — so all else equal, a faster load needs less forward lead than a slower one.
Does range change how much lead I need?
Yes, significantly — the farther the target, the longer the shot takes to arrive, and the more the target has moved in that time, which is why range is a required input here.
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