Tell me why a sniper in real life will never hit it's target if he aims at the target's feet. Two reasons

Question

Tell me why a sniper in real life will never hit it's target if he aims at the target's feet. Two reasons

Answer 1

it's not so much to do with the velocity of the wind as it is gravity and the fact that the scope sits about 2-3 centimeters above the barrel, so wherever the crosshairs land on the persons body, the bullet will hit just below that point

Answer 2

If I assume that by sniper you mean someone with military or similar training whose job it is to carefully shoot people, then he would be professional enough to allow for windage, gravity, obstructions, distance, and so on. It is highly unlikely they would target the feet, but if they did you can bet that is what they will hit.
Your question should be why a sniper in real life would never target the feet.
1) The area is one of the smallest available.
2) It is likely to move suddenly and without warning.
3) There are more effective areas to hit that will disable a target.

If your talking about some jerk that wants to shoot people for no good reason, then it's highly un-likely they would think much beyond pointing and pulling the trigger.
1) Windage will push the bullet to one side.
2) Gravity will pull the bullet downward.
3) Distance will reduce bullet velocity.
4) The sights will not be set for the target distance.
5) After the first shots, the target(s) will be moving rapidly.
There is still the danger of being hit by shrapnel or ricochets, so I wouldn't say you would never hit the target.

Answer 3

1. The feet are too small of a target... snipers generally aim center of mass.

2. By aiming at the feet the sniper is aiming downhill and unless he adjusts the path of the bullet the bullet will land before it reaches the target.

Answer 4

I can't cause sometimes he will. If the mark is 350 yards away and at 70% grade below or above the shooter, he may well send the round over the mark's head. The rifle/scope combination are aligned so as to arc the bullet into the target at a given range. If the gun arcs the bullet above the line of sight as usual, and slope prevents gravity from pulling it back down to the line of sight, then it will keep climbing.

Answer 5

Why would a sniper want to aim at the feet in the first place?

Answer 6

I like the other people's answers, but I'll pitch in - small target, easy possibility of movement

But I also like gravity (and wind velocity).

Answer 7

1 The gun isn't loaded.
2. The gun isn't sighted.

You don't shoot at someone's feet because of the wind, you need a larger target.

Answer 8

Gravity for one and the feet may be moving for another.

Answer 9

Constantly moving? People tend to run when they hear a gunshot. Its the law of not getting your hind end shot off.

Answer 10

1 the person would be walking and
2 the legs are skinny and hard to aim at