We are now solidly into the very disappointing 21st century, and our smoothbores have still not been replaced by the ray guns I distinctly recall being promised to me by science fiction of the 1960s. That means wingshooters still must contend with the problem of lead. Because we shoot projectiles that travel at the speed of lead, not light, we have to shoot in front of crossing birds to hit them. And the question has long vexed hunters: How, exactly, to lead targets, and by how much? There is some progress, though. More and more of today's shooters are experimenting with different methods of lead—and dropping more birds in the bargain.