Anyone have any rules of thumb for estimating the correct lead on running game? I have no problems up close where there is little effect, but out past 75 yards I have a terrible track record. My follow through is fine, but estimating the lead seems to always end up in a miss. Any help appreciated. BTW, this is hunting with a high power rifle like 300 Winmag or 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser.
Estimating lead on running game?
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
I was doing some rough calculations in my head while I lay in bed last night, and it seemed to me that at 2500 fps, at 250 feet, that's 1/10 of second to reach the target. If the deer is running at 40 fps, that's 4 feet change in poi. Yikes!!! How the hell did I ever hit anything!!
You could be overleading them. I never get too far out front, leading edge is about far enough. .300 wm and 6.5X55 are plenty fast. I you were shooting a shotgun slug at 1400fps I would say you need to lead them a bit more.
Shooting at running game is not easy with the animal running usually at a weird angle and bounding left and right at full tilt.
Shooting at running game is not easy with the animal running usually at a weird angle and bounding left and right at full tilt.
If you have to think about it while the rifle is on your shoulder don't pull the trigger. It is either instinctive or it is a gamble. Not to shadow riflery with vodoo but there is somehting to be said for Zen and the art of running game.
Tod is right I have shot a few big game animals at very modest ranges by pulling the trigger when thier nose was on the vertical cross hair!
A long range coyote fell to a 303 by aiming with what in hindsight was a ridiculous lead and hold over. I could'nt have calculated either lead or hold over in 10 minutes with a computer but somehow my brain did it instantly???????? Imagine what a smart guy could accomplish.LOL
Tod is right I have shot a few big game animals at very modest ranges by pulling the trigger when thier nose was on the vertical cross hair!
A long range coyote fell to a 303 by aiming with what in hindsight was a ridiculous lead and hold over. I could'nt have calculated either lead or hold over in 10 minutes with a computer but somehow my brain did it instantly???????? Imagine what a smart guy could accomplish.LOL
We were BSing at work, about the topic of hitting a running animal and the (EggHead), built an EXCEL Spreadsheet, and it will calculate the lead distance required.
It is exactly, indisputably, correct.
So I can tell you precisely. Give me the bullet velocity, animal (object) speed.
Example 1:
A Cheetah travelling at estimated top speed of 65mph @ 100 yards (the cheetah is travelling 90* broadside to the shooter), and the hunter is shooting a bullet that has a muzzle velocity of 2900fps (150gr .270Win).
The cheetah is moving at 95.3ft/sec and the bullet will travel the 100yds in 0.1034 seconds. You have to aim 9.86' in front of the cheetah in order to hit it... pretty much 10' in front of it.
Example 2:
A bull moose running at 15mph @ 150 yards and the hunter is shooting a 180gr .30-06 at 2700fps MV.
The moose is covering ground at 22ft/sec and the bullet will reach the moose in 0.1667 seconds. You need to lead the moose exactly 3.67'.
If I knew how to copy and paste the XL Spreadsheet I would...
It is exactly, indisputably, correct.
So I can tell you precisely. Give me the bullet velocity, animal (object) speed.
Example 1:
A Cheetah travelling at estimated top speed of 65mph @ 100 yards (the cheetah is travelling 90* broadside to the shooter), and the hunter is shooting a bullet that has a muzzle velocity of 2900fps (150gr .270Win).
The cheetah is moving at 95.3ft/sec and the bullet will travel the 100yds in 0.1034 seconds. You have to aim 9.86' in front of the cheetah in order to hit it... pretty much 10' in front of it.
Example 2:
A bull moose running at 15mph @ 150 yards and the hunter is shooting a 180gr .30-06 at 2700fps MV.
The moose is covering ground at 22ft/sec and the bullet will reach the moose in 0.1667 seconds. You need to lead the moose exactly 3.67'.
If I knew how to copy and paste the XL Spreadsheet I would...
Last edited:
From an article in Outdoors Canada Magazine. Take it for what it's worth.
Most hunters underestimate the lead required to be successful when shooting running animals. The formula for determining this is: Lead (feet) = Distance (yards) x Animal Speed (mph) x 0.00157. As an example, a deer running broadside at 30 mph at a distance 200 yards away from you would require a lead of approximately four-and-a-half feet. Specifically the formula is 200 x 30 x 0.00157 = 4.38 feet. This formula assumes a bullet velocity of 2,800 feet per second.
Most hunters underestimate the lead required to be successful when shooting running animals. The formula for determining this is: Lead (feet) = Distance (yards) x Animal Speed (mph) x 0.00157. As an example, a deer running broadside at 30 mph at a distance 200 yards away from you would require a lead of approximately four-and-a-half feet. Specifically the formula is 200 x 30 x 0.00157 = 4.38 feet. This formula assumes a bullet velocity of 2,800 feet per second.
csmith99, According to The Spreadsheet the actual lead distance would be 9.43'... no offense...
At a muzzle velocity of 2800 fps the bullet will take 0.2143 secs to reach the (deer) and the animal is running 44.0ft/sec.
At a muzzle velocity of 2800 fps the bullet will take 0.2143 secs to reach the (deer) and the animal is running 44.0ft/sec.
What's wrong with my math. 200 x 30 x0.00157=9.42 feet by my calculator???
^ Grizzlypeg, so you took the time to crunch the numbers? Excellent. It looks like the formula that csmith99 posted is correct and he just messed up the numbers when he did his calculation.
It's a simple way to do the estimate. Easier then the spreadsheet I have. Same result of course...
It's a simple way to do the estimate. Easier then the spreadsheet I have. Same result of course...
It might be easier to remember as yards x speed x 1.5??
So that's 2x3=6 times 1.5 equals roughly 9
Just trying to find a way to remember this and not need a calculator. The estimate of speed and implimentation of lead distance calculated is going to be a crapshoot in any event.
So that's 2x3=6 times 1.5 equals roughly 9
Just trying to find a way to remember this and not need a calculator. The estimate of speed and implimentation of lead distance calculated is going to be a crapshoot in any event.
Don't trust my math at all. I just copied this directly from the OC website. I couldn't figure this out on the run if my life depended on it. I just use my experience and "best guess" and most of the time I hit what I shoot at.
Don't get me wrong, I'm definately not criticising. I just wasn't sure if I wasn't understanding it. Looks like the formula is good, they just screwed up on their example. Its amazing that at 100 yards and a fast running deer, you pretty much have to lead it by a full deer. I went in the running deer contest they had at Virden, and scored 3/3 in the kill zone and wound up in a shoot off with another guy. We must have been pretty close, because the bullet impacted pretty much at the point of aim in my estimation.
My heart definately gets pumping when I hear that crashing through the bush and I know a deer is about to fly by me. I took a shot at one running last year and missed, there was no time for a second shot, and I fired my first shot and only shot at the 2nd of two deer that ran out of a bluff into the open. When someone is pushing bush, there is lots of potential for running shots, although I've had them run out of the bush and stop right in the open too. Smart deer, they knew I couldn't shoot them on a road.
Last edited:
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Instincts have been a part of all my running shots, it has to be, because I have no time to calculate lead. Deer appear and disappear in seconds. If you're not ready, you might as well leave your rifle empty.
Thankfully, 99% of the running shots taken by our guys are under 50 yards, with most under 100 feet.
Lever guns have all the speed I need.
Thankfully, 99% of the running shots taken by our guys are under 50 yards, with most under 100 feet.
Lever guns have all the speed I need.
