Gnonthgol t1_je62wl2 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 5:53 PM

The barrel and scope are not parallel. When the scope is perfectly horizontal the barrel is pointing slightly up. So at a set distance from the rifle the bullet will hit what the shooter is aiming for. But the bullet will also drop due to gravity over time so at a distance further away it will also hit. This is why it is so important for the shooter to get the distance right and then set the scope to that distance. If the target is closer then he thinks it is then he is going to hit high, and if the target is further away then he thinks he is going to hit low.

YellsAtGoats t1_je8kp1z wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:57 AM

Yep. This is especially observable in archery, since arrows drop off over such a shorter distance than bullets. With a simple bow and arrow, if you can hit something at 20 yards by aiming straight at it, then at 30 yards you'll have to aim quite a bit higher, and at 40 yards you'll have to aim much higher. The principle carries true to firearms, albeit over longer distances since the projectiles are traveling faster and thus travel further while under the same pull of gravity.