Just like a professional photographer knows how to adjust a camera's settings to get the right picture quality, a good shooter must master how to play with the adjustments on their rifle optic in order to obtain pinpoint accuracy even when on the run.

This is where understanding Minute of Angle (MOA) is crucial: MOA is a standardized method that can help you estimate and measure how accurate your optic is, determine the adjustments you need to make, and estimate the dimensions for different targets. 

So, let’s help you understand the whole  idea behind MOA in detail by defining what MOA means, discussing some practical applications where you need MOA helps  you perform spectacularly on the field, and explaining how this helps you address common shooting scenarios.

What is MOA?

MOA is an abbreviation that stands for “Minute of Angle.” A simple way to define MOA in shooting is that it is a guiding principle (or formula) that helps you adjust the “settings” on an optic so your rifle can hit the target accurately.

 In the abbreviation “M. O. A,” the “Minute” stands for 1/6th, just like one “minute” is “1/6th of an hour”. The “angle” refers to one of the 360 degrees in a full circle. 

So, MOA literally means 1/6th of one of the 360 degrees in a circle. One MOA equals 1/60th of a degree, and since there are 360 degrees in a circle, there are 21,600 minutes of angle (MOA) in a full circle.

At this point, the obvious question is: why? What does 1/6th of an angle have to do with rifles and scopes? Let's discuss measurements at a distance.

Why MOA Matters

The entire reason why you have to learn about MOA is so that you can get your rifle to hit different targets across long distances. Shooting over short-range may not constitute much of a challenge, but when the target is far off, you must account for and compensate for other intervening factors such as bullet drop and wind drift.  

By understanding Minute of Angle, you can read the right signals on your scope and determine how far off you are and what adjustments you need to make to hit the distant target. If you know how many inches you are off by; you can calculate and convert the distance( in inches) to Minute of Angle （in degrees）, then adjust your optic to the corresponding degrees.

MOA in Practice

Here’s a Formula

You can calculate the physical size of an MOA group or make adjustments at any distance using this formula:

Group size refers to the biggest distance between your scattered shots

Distance refers to the distance between yourself and the target.

Take Note!

MOA is a unit of angular measurement, which means it spreads out over a distance. At 100 yards, 1 MOA equals approximately 1.047 inches. Most shooters round 1MOA to 1 inch at 100 yards for convenience (the difference of 0.047 inches is mostly negligible).

This relationship remains proportional as the distance increases. So at 200 yards, 1 MOA equals 2.094 inches, and at 300 yards, it’s 3.141 inches, and so on.

• At 100 yards, 1 MOA ≈ 1.047 inches.

• At 200 yards, 1 MOA ≈ 2.094 inches.

• At 300 yards, 1 MOA ≈ 3.141 inches.

How Many Clicks are there in an MOA?

The number of clicks in an MOA varies depending on the type of optic you use.  Manufacturers make it very clear from the specs of their optics how many clicks make 1 MOA. Most LPVO optics are 1/4 MOA, meaning you need four clicks to change 1 MOA, but some are 1 MOA, 1/2 MOA, or even 1/8 MOA.  

• 1 MOA means one click moves the point of impact by 1 inch at 100 yards.

• 1/4 MOA means a click moves the point of impact is moved by 1/4th inch at 100 yards

• 1/8 MOA is common in precision optics and allows for even finer adjustments. The point of impact is moved by 1/8 inch at 100 yards.

What About Reticles with MOA Markings

If your optic has an MOA-based reticle, it will have hash marks or dots calibrated in MOA increments. These are really practical because they allow you to adjust for BDC or wind drift by using the reticle without adjusting turrets.

Example

Let’s say you are shooting at 600 yards, and your bullet drops 10 MOA. 

All you have to do is align the 10 MOA hash mark on the reticle with the target instead of adjusting the elevation turret.

If a target at 600 yards is 18 inches tall, calculate its MOA, then use the reticle to estimate its size and range.

Using MOA: Practical Applications

How Do You Adjust for Bullet Drop?

Bullet drop is the natural downward trajectory of a bullet that is caused by gravity. Shooting at a distance means you have to measure and account for it. For this, you need to make adjustments.

• Measure the Drop

Find the distance (in inches) your bullet impacts below the target point.

• Convert the Drop from Inches to MOA 

Use this formula: 

• Adjust Scope Turrets

Most scopes allow elevation adjustments in MOA increments. 

For example, if your scope adjusts in 1/4 MOA clicks, multiply the required MOA by 4 to find the number of clicks.

How Do You Adjust for Wind Drift?

Wind drift is the horizontal movement of the bullet that is caused by wind. The adjustment process is similar to bullet drop:

• Measure the Drift 

Determine how far the bullet impacts the left or right of the target.

• Convert Drift to MOA

Use the same formula

• Adjust Windage Turrets

Apply the calculated MOA to your scope’s windage turret.

Getting an MOA Optic

By understanding its principles and applying the calculations, you can improve your shooting accuracy and adaptability across distances and conditions. Whether you’re hunting, target shooting, or engaging in competitive shooting, an MOA optic will always be a valuable asset, especially if you can get the right one.

ODIN LPVOs From Gogunnr: Pick the Right One!

Gogunnr’s Odin optics come in three models: the Odin 1-6x 28, Odin 1-8x 24 LPVO, and the Odin 1-10x 28 LPVO. These three Odin optics offer every possible magnification range within the capabilities of an LPVO, which makes them perfectly versatile for deer hunting.

7 Reasons To Check Out Gunnr’s MOA LPVOs.

• Gogunnr Odin scopes feature Bullet reticles with extended 1 MOA hash marks for precise windage and elevation adjustments. You can compensate for bullet drop at varying distances without even adjusting the scope's elevation turret.

• They come with a cantilever mount, directly compatible with the Picatinny rails of most hunting rifles. You can use them with no additional adapters.

• The lenses are made of German Schott glass, which gives clear image quality, even in low light, with no chromatic aberration.

• Odin scopes generally weigh about (about 4.8×1.65×2.44 inches in size), making them just as lightweight and maneuverable for your hunting setup.

• The exterior of each optic is made of 7075 aluminum alloy, durable and can withstand harsh hunting conditions.

• They are all tested to withstand 1,000 impacts at 1,000G and 2,000 live-fire rounds.

• They are also waterproof and fogproof. They are built to withstand temperatures from -59°F to 149°F and have an IP67 waterproofing rating.

Common MOA Questions Explained

1. How Many Inches is 1 MOA at Any Distance?

At 100 yards, 1 MOA equals 1.047 inches. For other distances, you can calculate the size in inches. Use this formula:

• Inches per MOA = Distance (yards)×1.047÷100

Example At 800 yards: 800×1.047÷100=8.376 inches per MOA

2. How Do You Convert Group Size to MOA?

When evaluating your shooting accuracy, determine the group size by measuring the farthest distance between the bullet holes in the group. Then, convert this measurement unit to MOA using the following formula: 

MOA vs. MIL (Milliradian)

MOA and MIL are two systems for angular measurement, and although they are both used to achieve the same purpose, they are different in many ways. Where 1 MOA is 1.047 inches at 100 yards, 1MIL is 3.6 inches. MOA is measured in fractions while MIL is measured in decimals (Conversion: 1 MIL ≈ 3.438 MOA), and MOA is common in the United States, while MIL is common in Europe and the rest of the world.

Practical Tips for Using MOA

• Understand Your Scope

Know the adjustment increments (is it 1 MOA or 1/4 MOA per click?). Practice using the reticle for holdovers.

• Make sure your measurements are accurate

Use calipers or rulers to ensure the accuracy of group sizes and convert measurements to MOA to evaluate consistency.

• Don’t forget to account for environmental factors

Bullet drop and wind drift are affected by range, wind speed, and bullet type. You can use ballistic calculators to gather precise data.

• Practice Regularly

Apply MOA concepts in real-world shooting scenarios to build confidence. You can train at varying distances to understand how MOA scales.