In marksmanship, what does it mean to "lead" a target?

To "lead" a target in marksmanship refers to the technique of aiming ahead of a moving target to account for its speed and distance. When a target is in motion, such as a running animal or a moving adversary, simply aiming directly at it would likely result in a miss because by the time the bullet reaches that point, the target may have moved.

Leading the target requires an understanding of both its speed and the distance to it, allowing the shooter to accurately predict where the target will be when the bullet arrives. This technique often involves estimating how far in front of the target to aim, which can take practice and experience to master.

By successfully leading a target, shooters can improve their accuracy in dynamic shooting situations, making it a crucial skill in marksmanship, particularly in combat scenarios.