Originally posted by pellik
Zazens approach isn't the best one for calculating lead in an ostie. The truth of the matter is that range to target is irrelevent to lead unless you want to take the speed loss your projectile faces into effect. And to be honest I'm not even sure if HT models that.
What you do need to know is how to estimate is your target's speed and relative angle to you. Here is the general formula you would use to calculate lead:
a = sin-1 (sin(b) * V(t)/V(p))
a = the amount to lead in degrees (if your calculator is set in degrees. I recommend this as figuring out how many radians to lead isn't usually very useful)
b = the relative bearing, AoT in this case.
V(t) = speed of target
V(p) = speed of projectile
-p.
Actually, the distance to the target when you pull the trigger is very important.... The projectile must cover all that ground while the target is moving to the side.....defined by sin B * V(t). Also, as the projectile moves towards the target, the target moves away (extending the flight time of the projectile) at cos B * V(t), which adds to the flight time of the projectile.
Bottom line, holding all else constant, the greater the distance at trigger pull, the greater the lead required.
That should put most of you to sleep!