MOA vs MRAD: Which Rifle Scope Adjustment Is Right for You?

MOA vs MRAD: Which Rifle Scope Adjustment Is Right for You?

So you're getting into shooting, and you need to decide on whether you need a MOA scope or an MRAD scope. You're not the first person, and you won't be the last that is a little confused in which one to pick.

What is MOA?
MOA, or Minute of Angle, is an angular measurement used in rifle scopes to adjust aim for accuracy at varying distances. One MOA equals 1/60th of a degree, which translates to about 1 inch at 100 yards. Most scopes adjust in ¼ MOA clicks, meaning each click shifts the point of impact about 0.25 inches at 100 yards. MOA is used for both turret adjustments and reticle holdovers to compensate for bullet drop or wind. Being that it is an angular measurement, the further the distance, the larger the measurement.

For example;
1 MOA at 100yds = 1 inch
1 MOA at 200yds = 2 inches
1 MOA at 300yds = 3 inches
And so on.

What is MRAD?
MRAD, short for milliradian, is another angular measurement used in rifle scopes, especially popular in military and long-range precision shooting. Like MOA, it helps shooters adjust for elevation and windage, but it’s based on the metric system. One milliradian = 1/1000 of a radian. This means for the shooter at 100 metres, 1 MRAD = 10 centimetres or 1metre at 1000metres. (or 3.6 inches at 100 yards). Most MRAD scopes adjust in 0.1 MRAD clicks, meaning each click moves the point of impact 1 cm at 100 meters (or ~0.36 inches at 100 yards). Like MOA, being an angular measurement, the further the distance, the larger the measurement.

For example, assuming a 0.1 MRAD adjustment on the scope.
1 MRAD at 100m = 10cm or 1cm per click
1 MRAD at 200m = 20cm or 2cm per click
1 MRAD at 300m = 30cm or 3cm per click
And so on.

Figuring out angular measurement and group sizes.

An easy way to figure out the different size of angular measurement at distances is to multiply the measurement (MOA or MRAD) by their respective distance unit (Yards or Metres).
For example.

Measurement (MOA) x Distance (Yards) = Size (inches x 100)
Then take the Size and divide the answer by 100 and you will get the size in inches.
A 2MOA group at 600yards will be 12inches.
A 3MOA group at 700Yards will be 21inches.

Measurement (MRAD) x Distance (Metres) = Size (Millimetres)
A 0.2MRAD group at 400Metres will be 80mm
A 0.3MRAD group at 600Metres will be 180mm

You can also work backwards from a known group size in inches or Millimetres at a known distance to work out the group size.
For example:

Size (group in inches) divided by Distance (yards) = Measurement
Then take the measurement provided and multiply it by 100 to receive the Group size in MOA.
A 3.2inch group at 300yards will be a 1.066 MOA group
A 7inch group a 900yards will be a 0.77MOA group.

Size (group in millimetres) divided by distance (Metres) = MRAD
225mm group at 700Metres will be a 0.32MRAD group
650mm group at 500m will be a 1.3MRAD group.

Should I use MOA or MRAD in my rifle scope?
This is a question where asking it will somehow make you less sure because everyone has different opinions and different experiences with shooting. But I will try me best to make it easy for you to understand. MOA scopes are generally ¼ MOA (0.25moa) or 1/8 MOA (0.125moa) which are much finer adjustments than the MRAD adjustments (0.1MRAD) adjustment which is equal to approximately 0.4 inches at 100yds. With that finer adjustment, you can tweak the zero on your scope to a level in which the MRAD can't because it will move too much. That finer adjustment also means that at longer distances, means that at 1000yds, a 1/4 moa or 0.25moa click is 2.5 inches (6.35cm) and a 1/8moa or 0.125moa click is 1.25inches (3.2cm). Whereas 0.1 MRAD will be 10cm (roughly 3.94inches). You can get 0.05mrad adjustment scopes which will be 5cm or roughly 1.8 inches at 1000yds but these can be expensive. This finer adjustment could be useful when requiring higher amounts of precision such as an F class shoot. MOA is generally popular as well because lots of shooters have grown up using inches and yards in their everyday life and it is a measurement they understand. A lot of shooting ranges are also still set out in yards and this will make MOA popular because you won't need to convert Metres into Yards in order to make adjustments on an MOA scope.

MRAD scopes are becoming popular now with the introduction of the precision rifle series as well as lots of world militaries moving to a metric adjustment. While it can be said that MRAD is a less fine adjustment, it is also a quicker adjustment as it is easy to calculate ballistics and there are less clicks involved in the adjustments.

For example, I have a pre-done DOPE (Data On Previous Engagement) sheet done for a 6.5 Creedmoor and I will list the clicks required to make these adjustments.

Zero at 100m
0.4MRAD at 200m (4 clicks)
1.2MRAD at 300m (12clicks)
2.1MRAD at 400m (21 clicks)
3.2MRAD at 500m (32 clicks)

MRAD makes this simple because the adjustments are in multiples of 10 so all you're doing is moving the decimal place and this math can be done quickly and almost without thinking, which makes it very popular in the fast-paced environment of a precision rifle series championship in which the points are decided on speed in addition to accuracy.

If we look at the same adjustment in MOA and assume a 0.25 MOA adjustment.

0.4MRAD = Approx 1.38MOA or between 5 & 6 clicks
1.2MRAD = Approx  4.13MOA or between 16 & 17 clicks
2.1MRAD = Approx 7.22MOA or 29 clicks
3.2MRAD = 11MOA or 44 clicks

The MRAD adjustments allow for quicker and easier calculation adjustments, which result in a quicker time in making shots.

Summary
There are no wrong answers when it comes to choosing which unit of adjustment to use when selecting a scope. However, whichever shooting style you are undertaking must be taken into consideration. I prefer MRAD myself as I like long-distance fast-paced shooting, but with that larger adjustment like PRS, but I might be at a disadvantage in an F-Class competition, so someone with a 1/8 moa scope. I hope this answers your questions, but if you still have any, please don't hesitate to contact the team at Optics Warehouse.