Scope Mil-Dot vs MOA Measurement Systems Advisor

Explains mil-dot and MOA reticle systems for ranging, holdovers, windage, and which is better for hunting vs target shooting distances.

‍

This tool is meant for shooters choosing mil or MOA for ranging and adjustments in hunting/target.

‍

The inputs cover primary use, measurement preference, shooting distance, current measurement issue, math comfort level, experience level, and turret matching, explaining mil/MOA for ranging/holdovers. These selections suit metric or fraction preferences. This tool teaches measurement systems but conversion accuracy requires practice.

‍

Mil-dot vs MOA: A Comprehensive Guide

Mil Fundamentals

1. Understanding Mil:
   • One mil (milliradian) is approximately 3.6 inches at 100 yards or 10 centimeters at 100 meters.
   • This measurement is useful for ranging and adjustments due to its angular relationship.
2. Ranging with Mil:
   • To estimate distance using mils, you can use the formula: [ \text{Distance (yards)} = \frac{\text{Target Height (inches)} \times 1000}{\text{Mil Size}} ]
   • For example, if you see a target that is 18 inches tall and it measures 6 mils through your scope, the calculation would be: [ \text{Distance} = \frac{18 \times 1000}{6} = 300 \text{ yards} ]
3. Adjustments with Mil:
   • Each click of most mil-based turrets typically adjusts your point of impact by 0.1 mil at 100 yards.
   • To adjust for windage or elevation, simply convert the wind speed or bullet drop into mils and adjust accordingly.

MOA Fundamentals

1. Understanding MOA:
   • Minute of Angle (MOA) is 1/60th of a degree and roughly equals 1.047 inches at 100 yards.
   • For practical purposes, it is often rounded to 1 inch at 100 yards.
2. Ranging with MOA:
   • The formula for estimating distance using MOA is: [ \text{Distance (yards)} = \frac{\text{Target Height (inches)} \times 100}{\text{MOA Size}} ]
   • For example, if a target is 18 inches tall and measures 6 MOA, the calculation would be: [ \text{Distance} = \frac{18 \times 100}{6} = 300 \text{ yards} ]
3. Adjustments with MOA:
   • MOA turrets typically adjust your point of impact by 1/4 MOA per click.
   • To adjust for wind or bullet drop, convert the measurement into MOA and adjust accordingly.

Choice Tips

1. System Consistency:
   • Choose either mils or MOA and stick with it. This consistency improves accuracy and reduces confusion.
2. Metric vs Imperial:
   • If you're shooting in a metric environment (like Europe), you might prefer mils, while in the U.S., MOA is often more common.
   • Both systems can be used effectively; just ensure you understand the conversions.
3. Fractional Adjustments:
   • Since you prefer fractional MOA adjustments, remember to practice making adjustments in increments like 1/8 or 1/4 MOA for precise shooting.
4. Practice Ranging:
   • Regularly practice estimating distances using both systems. Familiarity will help you transition between the two if necessary.
5. Turret Selection:
   • Since you have MOA turrets, focus on ensuring your adjustments correspond accurately to your chosen adjustments for windage and elevation.

Final Thought

These principles serve as a foundation for effective shooting and ranging. Adapting to either mil or MOA will enhance your precision and overall shooting experience.

Brought to you by TheToolCollective.com

‍

The Tool Collective are a multi talented group of passionate hobbyists on a mission to create highly useful and intelligent decision making tools to help others who share our passion and interests. We all have various outdoor hobbies, and hunting specifically, is massive seasonal passion of ours. With hunting comes necessary expansion into firearms and marksmanship. Over the years shooting grew with us to a passion of it's own, instead of being solely a hunting related skill. Long-Range shooting specifically fascinated us and most importantly challenged us. It's incredibly difficult, and incredibly fun and rewarding. It can be daunting to enter the hobby, so we designed these tools to cater to those entering the market for long range optics, and for those looking to advance their skills and setups. Enjoy!

‍

Made with The Tool Collective's signature model. We combine an AI engine which process the user's input choices and runs it through our specifically designed logic and reasoning parameters for that tool to curate a precise and organized output. An enthusiast knowledgeable in the tool category designs the tools inputs and input choices, writes custom logic parameters, and defines the output format and requirements. The AI engine powers the system and creates a lightning fast, highly intelligent decision tool, which is always up-to-date with current pricing and publicly available information on whatever the tool is designed for. Combines all of the internets resources into one.

‍