If your target character is standing still, far away, place the center of the reticle slightly above it before taking the shot.
If the target, in addition to being far away, is moving, place the center of the reticle slightly above it and a tad in front of it.
It may happen that you need to follow your moving target (through the sight) a bit in this position (slightly above, slightly ahead) before you fire. This technique is often referred to as deflection or “leading the target”. Notice that targets can still move once you’ve fired your gun: the trick is to predict their path and aim at the place where they will be when the bullet gets there, instead of the place where they are when you pull the trigger.
source
http://www.respawnless.com/battlefield-3-multiplayer-guide/get-better-at-aiming-in-battlefield-3-multiplayer/
If the target, in addition to being far away, is moving, place the center of the reticle slightly above it and a tad in front of it.
It may happen that you need to follow your moving target (through the sight) a bit in this position (slightly above, slightly ahead) before you fire. This technique is often referred to as deflection or “leading the target”. Notice that targets can still move once you’ve fired your gun: the trick is to predict their path and aim at the place where they will be when the bullet gets there, instead of the place where they are when you pull the trigger.
source
http://www.respawnless.com/battlefield-3-multiplayer-guide/get-better-at-aiming-in-battlefield-3-multiplayer/