Unpacking Minutes of Angle
MOA, or Minute of Angle, is a unit of angular measurement. It’s the key to understanding how much your bullet’s point of impact will shift on the target with each adjustment of your scope. Think of it like this: Imagine drawing a giant circle around your target. One MOA represents a tiny segment of that circle.
To understand the true power of MOA, we have to dig a little deeper into the angle and the distances. One MOA is exactly equal to 1/60th of a degree. In the real world of shooting, however, the practical definition of MOA becomes far more useful. At a distance of 100 yards (91.44 meters), one MOA subtends, or covers, approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm). This means if you adjust your scope by 1 MOA, your bullet’s point of impact will shift approximately 1 inch at 100 yards. At 200 yards, it will shift approximately 2 inches, and at 300 yards, about 3 inches, and so on.
This directly relates to the diameter of the group. If the group is one inch wide at 100 yards, then the shooter has a 1 MOA group. If the group is two inches at the same distance, then the group is 2 MOA. As you move further, this will be a larger size group.
Understanding the Click: Scope Adjustments Explained
Now, let’s turn our attention to the “clicks”. Clicks are the distinct, often audible, and tactile adjustments you make on your scope. These adjustments are made via the windage (horizontal) and elevation (vertical) turrets, usually found on the top and the side of your scope.
When you adjust these turrets, you’re essentially altering the point of impact of your bullet. Each click represents a pre-defined amount of adjustment, usually in terms of MOA or fractions of MOA. So, when you turn the turret and hear or feel a click, you’re shifting the reticle, the crosshairs you see through your scope, and, consequently, the bullet’s trajectory.
There are various click values out there. The most common values are ¼ MOA (1/4 inch at 100 yards), and sometimes 1/8 MOA. Also, there are some scopes that may use ½ MOA per click. The click value determines how much each click will move your point of impact on the target. These increments will influence your ability to make very small adjustments.
The important thing is to know what type of click your scope has. This is usually clearly indicated on the scope itself, either on the turret or in the scope’s manual.
Putting It Together: The MOA and Click Connection
The central question we are addressing in this article is: how do clicks and MOA connect? The answer depends on the specific scope. The most common scopes have a ¼ MOA click value. This means that each click you make on the elevation or windage turret will shift your point of impact by ¼ inch at 100 yards. Therefore, to make a 1 MOA adjustment, you would need to make 4 clicks.
Let’s look at an example: You’re shooting at 100 yards, and your shots are grouping 2 inches low and 1 inch to the right. With a scope that adjusts in ¼ MOA increments, you would need to make 8 clicks (2 inches divided by ¼ inch per click = 8 clicks) up on the elevation turret and 4 clicks (1 inch divided by ¼ inch per click = 4 clicks) to the left on the windage turret to bring your point of impact to your desired location.
Making Adjustments: Examples and Calculations
Let’s consider a scenario and break it down step-by-step. Imagine your shots are consistently low on the target, and you are shooting at 200 yards. The impact is 3 inches low. Your scope adjusts in ¼ MOA clicks.
First, determine how much you need to adjust in terms of inches at your target distance. The shots are 3 inches low.
Second, calculate how many MOA that represents. Because one MOA covers approximately 2 inches at 200 yards, you need to correct by 1.5 MOA. (3 inches / 2 inches per MOA at 200 yards = 1.5 MOA).
Third, determine the number of clicks required. The scope has ¼ MOA clicks. 1.5 MOA x 4 clicks per MOA = 6 clicks.
Finally, you would need to make 6 clicks on your elevation turret, to elevate the bullet’s impact on the target.
For another example, if you are shooting at 300 yards with the same ¼ MOA scope, and your shots are 6 inches right, you’d make the following calculations:
One MOA equals about 3 inches at 300 yards.
6 inches (the amount of error) / 3 inches per MOA equals 2 MOA.
2 MOA multiplied by 4 clicks per MOA, equals 8 clicks.
You would need to make 8 clicks to the left on your windage turret to correct.
The Importance of This Relationship
Why is understanding this connection so vital? It boils down to accuracy, efficiency, and making the most of your equipment.
Accuracy Enhancement: When you understand how your scope adjusts, you can make precise adjustments to zero your rifle, making you more accurate and confident in your shots.
Long-Range Shooting: The importance of understanding the relationship between MOA and clicks increases exponentially as your target distance increases. Small errors in adjustment translate into large misses at longer ranges.
Making Corrections: If your shots are off, understanding the correlation between your scope’s click value and MOA allows you to make the required adjustments quickly and accurately.
Considering the Factors Influencing Adjustments
While the relationship between MOA and clicks is fundamental, several factors can influence how these adjustments translate into impact on the target.
The first is the quality of your scope. A high-quality scope will consistently hold its zero and provide more accurate adjustments, ensuring the clicks correspond to the indicated MOA value. A lower quality scope might have inconsistent adjustments and may shift.
The click increment is crucial. Knowing your scope’s click value (e.g., ¼ MOA, ⅛ MOA, or ½ MOA) is paramount. This click value has a direct relationship with the number of clicks.
Other factors could include the distance to the target, the ammunition used, and the atmospheric conditions. Wind, in particular, can be a significant factor, especially at longer ranges. If the wind is moving across your line of sight, then it will affect the bullet’s trajectory.
In Conclusion
Mastering the connection between MOA and clicks is a fundamental step in becoming a more competent shooter. By understanding the fundamental relationship, you gain a greater degree of control over your shots and increase your accuracy.
Remember, the key is practice, a good scope, and knowing your equipment. Practice shooting on the range, make adjustments, and record your results. This will give you hands-on experience with how your scope performs and how it responds to your adjustments.
Always read your scope’s manual and familiarize yourself with all the features. Take the time to understand the specific adjustment values on your scope.
As you gain experience, you’ll develop a much deeper understanding of the nuances of ballistics, scope adjustments, and their real-world application. It’s about constant learning. This understanding, combined with practice, will lead to tighter groups and a more rewarding shooting experience. Ultimately, it will make you a better shooter.
