MOA vs Mil Dot [BEST One For You in 2023]

Hello and welcome to the new article about MOA vs MIL Dot. MOA and MIL are units for rifle scopes. They are angular measurements. Most people know it but some people don’t know what that means. So let’s take a look at this MOA vs Mil Dot comparison.

Best Budget-Friendly Rifle scopes in 2023

Brand Product Mag Obj Lens Reticle Price
Nikon M 308 4-16x 42mm BDC 800
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-24x 50mm Dead-Hold BDC
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x 40mm Duplex
Bushnell AR Optics 4.5-18x 40mm Drop Zone-223
Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x 42mm Ballistic Plex

What is MOA stand for?

The first question that comes into mind is What is MOA stand for? The term MOA means minute of angle or minute of arc. It is 1/60th of an angle degree as the minute is 1/60th of an hour, the angle minute is 1/60th of a degree of angular.

Understanding Minute Of Angle

We know angle degree, a circle has 360 degrees and a degree of it is an angle degree. The 1/60th part of that degree is an angle minute. So 0.016 degree or 1 degree/60 is MOA or minute of angle.

1 MOA at 100 yards

1 MOA at 100 yards means that at a distance to the target of 100 m, the adjustment by 1 MOA corresponding to an adjustment by 2.9 cm. Here is the explanation, target distance is 100m that is the radius. Circumference is 2 x radius x pi (3.14) = 628.31 m. Then 1 Degree = 628.31/360 =  1.745m. SO 1 MOA will be 1.745/60 = .029m or 2.9 cm. The angle is almost exactly one inch (2.54 cm) at 100 yards (91.44m).

1 MOA at 200 yards

As you know that 1 MOA is almost one inch at 100 yards that can be understood very well by using this unit of measurement (yard) in everyday life. The 1 MOA at 200 yards would be approximately 2 inches (2 x 1 inch) and 1 MOA at 300 yards would be 3 inches (3 x 1 inch).

What is Mil Dot?

Do you know that what is mil dot? If not then we are here to tell you. Mil means 1/1000th and Milradian is 1/1000th of the radius. At a distance of 100 m, the 1 Mil will be 10 cm. So, here is the explanation 1 MIL= 1/1000(radius)= 100m/1000 = 10 cm.

Is Mil and Mrad the same thing?

The next question that arises is “are Mil and Mrad the same thing?” Yes, both are the same. The MIL or Mrad means Milradian that is 1/1000th of the radius.

What is 1 mil at 100 yards?

As we know that 1 mil at 100 m is 10 cm (3.93 inches). And 100 yards are equal to 91.44m so 1 mil at 100 yards will be 3.6 inches. Here is the explanation of how 1 mil at 100 yards is 3.6 inches. 3.93 Inches / 100m = .0393, now multiply .0393 with 91.44 m (100 yards) the answer is 3.6 inches.

MOA Vs Mil Dot (Which One is Better)

Riflescopes mostly come in one of the two types of adjustments. You either have MOA or Milradian also called Mils or Mrad. Both of these adjustments are angular units of measurement. MOA is 1/60th of a degree while Mrad is 1/6400th of a degree. When it comes down to choosing one and using depends on the way you think about and measure your distances.

Generally, the clicks on the turrets of the MOA scope is one-quarter MOA. Which comes out to approximately one-quarter inch at 100 yards. That makes it really easy if you are thinking in terms of yards, inches and it gives you a pretty exact method for making your adjustments.

The scopes that have adjustments in Mrads are gonna have one click being equivalent to 0.1 mrad. So each click of adjustment is gonna be 0.36 inches per 100 yards. Strictly comparing MOA to the Mil dot, the finer adjustments are gonna be in MOA.

So, one click on an MOA scope is gonna move your impact 0.25 inches whereas one click on a Mrad scope is gonna move your impact 0.36 inches per 100 yards. If you think in terms of yards and inches when you are doing ranging and making adjustments, you may find it easier to use MOA scope. Whereas if you use mrads for ranging or adjustment, you probably gonna have an easier time with a Mrad scope.

Whatever scope you choose, it is really gonna be the best idea to pair your ranging method, the method that you are most used to with the reticle and the type of adjustment of the scope. Because it can reduce the number of conversions that you are doing to make adjustments.

Hope this moa vs mil dot comparison will be helpful for you. If you have questions about moa vs mil dot guide then please let us know.