If you're new to precision shooting, terms like MOA (Minute of Angle) and mil radians (mils) can feel intimidating. But understanding these concepts is key to improving your accuracy and confidence on the range or in the field. Let's break down what they mean and how to use them effectively.
What is MOA (Minute of Angle)?
MOA is a unit of angular measurement commonly used in shooting. Imagine a giant circle: one degree is 1/360th of that circle. An MOA is even smaller—1/60th of a degree. For practical purposes, MOA is used to measure how much you need to adjust your rifle scope to move your point of impact on the target.
Think of it this way:
1 MOA roughly equals 1 inch at 100 yards. So, if your shots are hitting 2 inches low at 100 yards, you need to adjust your scope up by 2 MOA to bring the point of impact to the bullseye.
How Do You Adjust MOA on Your Scope?
Most scopes designed for long-range shooting adjust in 1/4 MOA increments. This means each "click" on your scope’s turret (the dials on the top or side of the scope) moves the point of impact by 0.25 inches at 100 yards. Here's how this scales:
At 100 yards: 1 click = 0.25 inches.
At 200 yards: 1 click = 0.5 inches.
At 500 yards: 1 click = 1.25 inches.
At 1,000 yards: 1 click = 2.5 inches.
Practical Example of MOA Adjustments
Let's say you're shooting at 100 yards, and your shots are landing 3 inches to the left. To correct this, you need to adjust your scope’s windage (horizontal) turret:
3 inches at 100 yards equals 3 MOA (since 1 MOA is about 1 inch at 100 yards).
With 1/4 MOA clicks, you’ll need 12 clicks to the right (3 MOA x 4 clicks per MOA).
By understanding how many clicks correspond to MOA adjustments, you can quickly and confidently dial in your scope for precise shooting.
What is a Mil Radian (Mil)?
A Mil, short for milliradian, is another unit of angular measurement that many shooters use, especially in long-range and military shooting. Unlike MOA, which is more common in the U.S., mils align well with the metric system.
How Mils Work:
1 Mil is 1/1000th of a radian. At 100 meters, 1 Mil is about 10 centimeters (cm), or approximately 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
How Do You Adjust Mils on Your Scope?
Most scopes that use mils offer adjustments in 0.1 Mil increments. Each click moves the point of impact by 0.1 Mil. Here's how that looks:
At 100 meters: 1 click = 1 cm.
At 500 meters: 1 click = 5 cm.
At 1,000 meters: 1 click = 10 cm.
Practical Example of Mil Adjustments
Imagine you’re shooting at 300 meters, and your shots are hitting 30 cm low:
1 Mil at 300 meters equals 30 cm.
Since your shots are 30 cm low, you need to adjust by 1 Mil.
With a scope that adjusts in 0.1 Mil increments, you need to turn the elevation turret 10 clicks up (1 Mil / 0.1 Mil per click).
MOA vs. Mils: Which One Should You Use?
MOA is more intuitive if you’re comfortable with the Imperial system (inches and yards).
Mils can be easier if you prefer the metric system (meters and centimeters) and are often used in tactical and military settings.
Both are effective; the key is choosing the one that feels more natural to you and your shooting style.
Diving Deeper into MOA Adjustments
The Mechanics of MOA Adjustments:
1 MOA at Different Distances:
As we've mentioned, 1 MOA equals approximately 1 inch at 100 yards. The measurement scales with distance, so:
At 100 yards: 1 MOA ≈ 1 inch
At 200 yards: 1 MOA ≈ 2 inches
At 500 yards: 1 MOA ≈ 5 inches
At 1,000 yards: 1 MOA ≈ 10 inches
This scaling is crucial for making adjustments at varying distances. The farther you are from the target, the more a small adjustment will affect the point of impact.
Adjusting in 1/4 MOA Clicks:
Understanding Clicks and Precision: Most scopes designed for long-range shooting adjust in 1/4 MOA increments, which means each click moves the point of impact by 0.25 inches at 100 yards. Here's how it translates across different distances:
At 100 yards: 1 click = 0.25 inches
At 200 yards: 1 click = 0.5 inches
At 500 yards: 1 click = 1.25 inches
At 1,000 yards: 1 click = 2.5 inches
Example Scenario:If you’re shooting at 1,000 yards and your shots are landing 10 inches low, you would need to adjust your elevation turret by 4 MOA (since 1 MOA = 10 inches at 1,000 yards). Since each click represents 1/4 MOA, you would need to turn the elevation turret 16 clicks (4 MOA x 4 clicks per MOA).
Diving Deeper into Mil Adjustments
The Mechanics of Mil Adjustments:
1 Mil at Different Distances:
At 100 meters, 1 Mil equals exactly 10 cm. This straightforward metric relation makes it easy to calculate adjustments:
At 100 meters: 1 Mil = 10 cm
At 200 meters: 1 Mil = 20 cm
At 500 meters: 1 Mil = 50 cm
At 1,000 meters: 1 Mil = 1 meter (100 cm)
Example Scenario:If you’re shooting at 800 meters and your shots are 40 cm low, you need a 0.5 Mil adjustment upwards (since 1 Mil at 800 meters is 80 cm). With a scope that adjusts in 0.1 Mil increments, you would turn the elevation turret 5 clicks (0.5 Mil / 0.1 Mil per click).
Advantages of Using Mils: The mil system simplifies range estimation and correction, especially at longer distances:
Estimating Range with Mils:By measuring the size of a known object (like a target) in mils using your reticle, you can quickly estimate the distance to the object. The formula is:Distance (meters)=Target Size (meters)Size in Mils×1000Distance (meters)=Size in MilsTarget Size (meters)×1000
For example, if a 1.8-meter-tall target measures 2 mils in your reticle, it is approximately 900 meters away:900=1.82×1000900=21.8×1000
Conclusion: Mastering MOA and Mils for Precision Shooting
Understanding how to use MOA and mil adjustments will transform your precision shooting capabilities. By knowing the mechanics behind each system, how to adjust your scope, and when to use each, you'll gain confidence and accuracy. Whether you choose MOA or mils, mastering these tools will set you up for success on the range or in the field.
An old picture from my Sniper Team days. (circa 2011)
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