Writing the symbol commonly used to represent the measure of inch (") is not accurate here, and in fact misleading since that symbol also represents 'second of angle' (1/60 of a minute of angle). Where group size is expressed in inches the word 'inch' should be spelled. So, the difference between thinking in inches as opposed to MOA is 0.47 inch 1000 yards.įour (4) clicks of the scope adjustment equals 1.047 inch change 100 yards for scopes of 1/4MOA per click. Therefore, the value of MOA at 100 yards is 1.047 inches (0.001745 x 600 = 1.047)Īt 50 yards 1/2 the 100 yard value 70% 70 yards twice 200 yards 6 times 600 yards and so on. Six inches (the radius of the above example) is 1/600th of 100 yards: (100 yards x 36 inches) / 6 inches = 600 Knowing what MOA represents allows us to calculate its value to any distance. The distance covered by 1 degree of angle (37.6992 / 360 or, circumference divided by 360 degrees) is 0.1047 inch at 6 inches from center of circle.Īnd, 1 minute of angle represents (0.1047 / 60 or, 1 degree divided by 60 minutes) 0.001745 inch at 6 inches from center of circle. The precise value of pi is so far unknown to man but is normally resolved to 3.1416 or 3.141 for our purposes. The ratio (represented by pi ) of circumference is constant to diameter (radius x 2) regardless of circle size. Knowing the radius (distance to center of circle) circumference is easily calculated by using the constant pi. The distance covered by the measure of arc is relative to the circumference (total distance around the circle) it is contained within. Each degree consists of 60 minutes of arc.
3 moa vs 6 moa vs 8 moa full#
There are 360 degrees of arc to a full circle. The angle of an arc is expressed in number of degrees. For serious target shooting and as shooting distances increase the attention to MOA value relative to sight adjustment becomes more essential. Actually the comparison is close enough to not be of practical concern, especially at distances up to a few hundred yards, and the real difference is a mere 0.47 inch at 1000 yards. The value of inch is a nice easy number to work with and most of us can easily visualize its length and its multiples without the aid of a calculator.
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Normally, shooters refer to these adjustments as a change of a fraction of an inch at 100 yards rather than the true value of MOA for which they are supposedly calibrated to.
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Each click of the scope turret is usually 1/4 MOA change and on some scopes 1/8 MOA. Although it's just my 2 cents - I think the mounting system for any red-dot scope is probably more important that the actual scope you choose.Most firearm sighting scopes incorporate windage and elevation adjustments referenced to MOA (minute of angle). That gun has two interchangeable barrels, a ported turkey barrel and a rifled slug tube, so I wanted/needed a receiver mount that holds relative zero when I change the barrel. I have mine mounted with a B-Square receiver mount and Burris rings, sitting atop an Ithaca 37 guide gun. One other thing to keep in mind is the mount. I realized a few years ago that the entire head and neck of a mature gobbler fits inside the scope window at 20yards or less, so the actual size or shape of the reticle at that point is useless - just placing the head inside the window and squeezing the trigger = jellyhead. IMO, the 6MOA dot is too big, definitely for shots over 40 yards because it just covers too much of the vitals.Īdditionally, also recognize that if all of your shots are 30 yards or less, then dot size probably doesn't matter. The circle helps to quickly acquire the head, the dot then permits fine tuning for true target acquisition. Personally, I prefer the 3MOA dot inside the 65MOA circle for turkeys.
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I don't have another red-dot scope to compare it with, but I can attest that after 100's of rounds of 3# turkey loads and 3# 12ga sabots, and going through literal he77 in the field - the Bushnell still holds zero after almost 15 years. I've found that I prefer the green most mornings, for me it's easier to acquire in those low light or thick brush hunts common to the way I typically hunts turkeys. I've used a Bushnell Trophy with 4 different reticles and both red and green lights.