MRAD vs MOA: The Complete Side-by-Side Comparison
Honestly, discussing the topic of MOA vs MRad, without sounding overly technical is tough. While both these measuring units arise from the mathematical branch of trigonometry, they are two different angular units of angular measurement.
A bullet doesn’t travel in a straight line but in an arc. The longer the range, the higher the effect of gravity, causing the bullet to hit lower than the target center.
Technically this is called the bullet drop. In addition, there is a wind effect as well. This is where you can use the concepts of MOA vs MRad for hunting to adjust the point of impact.
Before we go any further, let me add that there is no placing one system over another. Both are equally effective and in the end, it all depends on your personal preferences.
To understand more, let’s step into this rabbit hole of angular measurements and scope types.
What is MOA?
We know that a circle has 360 degrees and each degree can be further divided into 60 minutes or 3600 seconds. MOA, or Minute of Angle, is a system primarily used within the US and 1 MOA stands for 1/60th of a degree. For every 100 yards, the MOA spreads by 1.0472 inches.
To keep it simple, MOA helps us to transfer tiny factions of angular measurements to their linear equivalent. In a physical space, think of it like looking out through a funnel.
The circular space at the end of the funnel cone represents the cone of trajectory for the bullet to make an impact. As you increase the length of the cone, the size of the circle increases. So, 1 inch at 100 yards and 10 inches at 1,000 yards, both equals 1 MOA.
In most MOA-based reticles, each click of the dial results in 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8-inch increments which corresponds to angular measurements in seconds. If you consider a 1/4 MOA adjustment scope, each click will move the reticle and shift the point of impact by 0.25 inch at 100 yards.
How does that work in a shooting scenario?
Let us assume that you are zeroing your scope. Your target distance is 400 yards and you are 4 inches off the target. Since 1 MOA is 4 inches at 400 yards you need to go up by 1 MOA to cover for the bullet drop. For a riflescope turret with ¼ inch MOA adjustments, you need four clicks for 1 MOA adjustment.
Similar adjustments can be made to the left or right of the target to compensate for bullet drift due to windage. Remember, once the target distance changes, you will have to readjust the MOA.
There is one caveat though. It is about choosing Shooter MOA or Inches Per Hundred Yards while shooting. In this concept, the 1.0472 inches is rounded off to 1 inch for simplification. That may work for short deer-hunting distances below 500 yards. But, you can not ignore the fractions during long-range shooting.
The seemingly small fraction of 0.0472 inches becomes a big deal as the range increases. Remember, at 1,000 yards, 1 MOA is equivalent to 10.472 inches. Rounding it to 10 inches can throw your shot off by 5 inches at that distance. In such cases, the true MOA is used to avoid the error factor and to ensure better accuracy.
What is MRAD?
MRad is another unit of angular measurement and the concept is similar to MOA. The only difference is, that it is based on the International Standard of Measurements. In reality, the MRad vs MOA comparison is like comparing inches and millimeters. The concept of MRad was developed 1800s, mainly for artillery purposes.
Based on the age-old knowledge that π radians are equal to 180 degrees, a full circle has 2π radians. 1/1000th of a radian is known as milliradians or MRad. That way, there are 6,283 milliradians or mils in a circle.
If that number sounds complex, check this out – one mil equals 10 centimeters at 100 meters or 1 meter at 1,000 meters. Now, that is easier to remember.
For most MRad-based scope systems, one click is equivalent to 1/10th of a mil. That means, for each click you are adjusting one centimeter at 100 meters. After conversions, 1 mil translates to 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
Comparing MOA vs MRAD
While the MILRad vs MOA debate is often a raging hot topic in the shooting community, there is not much difference between the two. Both systems are good for medium and long-range shooting.
For American shooters, MOA has been the traditional choice of unit for angular measurements. If you are more comfortable with inches and yards, an MOA-base scope will suit you better.
Since MOA scopes have 1/4- or 1/8-minute clicks they offer finer adjustments than MRad-based scopes that are broken down into 1/10 divisions. At 1,000 yards, a 1/4 MOA adjustment will move your point of impact by 2.6 inches. Whereas 1/10 mil adjustment at the same distance will move it by 3.6 inches.
Another way to look at it is the way the two systems divide a circle. The MOA system divides a circle into 21,600 minutes. That offers more precision than 6,283 milliradians of division. For shooters who prefer finer adjustments, the mil system is not precise enough, especially at high powers.
One question remains. Do scope manufacturers have the precision milling capacity needed for developing true MOA turrets? In many cases, the answer is no.
The advantage of an MRad system is that it allows you to make adjustments faster. To move the impact point 1 inch at 10 yards you may need four to eight clicks in an MOA-based scope. The same adjustments can be done with three clicks for an MRad device.
In dynamic shooting scenarios, you are looking to shoot faster and 1/4 MOA click optics can seem to go on forever. In case you are using a reticle with imperfect etching, this gets more difficult.
The other downsides of more dialing of the turret are increased chances of error and increased wear and tear of the mechanical components in the system. Being base 10 units, MRads are easier to work with than the fractional math in the MOA units. Since it is used widely across all countries, the system is more versatile. Many shooters find wind-based formulas easier to use with MRads.
One thing that you do not want to do is combine an MOA scope with a mil-dot reticle or the other way around. To be fair, it is not too difficult once you get used to the conversions. That is if you don’t mind doing the math while you are shooting.
Mathematically, 1 mil equals 3.437 MOA. You can round it off, but let’s stick to the exact number here. So, to convert mils to MOA, you need to multiply by 3.437. To convert MOA to mils, divide by the same number. For example, when converted, 5 mils equals 17.185 MOA.
In my opinion, if you are heading out for a hunt with your friends, it is best to use a common system of measurement. That will help you to communicate effectively without having to do calculations in your head. If you do not know this already, most spotting scopes with ranging reticles use the mil marking system.
Imagine yourself shooting with a MOA-based scope while your spotting partner is conversant with the MRad system. Chances are, you will end up frustrated with the math.
Even if you are not conversant with measuring distances in yards and target width in inches, there is no reason you cannot use a mil-based system.
In fact, the American military uses MRad-based rifles in many scenarios. In 2018, the Mil-Grid reticle earned a U.S. Army patent and is being implemented across precision rifles and semi-automatic sniper systems.
That said, at the end of the day personal preferences matter. For me, the ease of operation and versatility of a mil ecosystem matters. But it may not be the same for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy MOA or MRAD?
Both scope types work great. If you are more used to measuring in inches and yards, a MOA-based scope can make more sense for you. Some may find the MRad scope more practical for long-distance shooting,
Do US snipers use MOA or MRAD?
American snipers as well as most precision shooters use the MRad system. Keep in mind that snipers may need to work together with a blend of other equipment. The MRad system being more versatile is a better choice for that.
How many inches is 1 MRAD at 100 yards?
At 100 yards, 1MRad/mil is equal to 3.6 inches.
Does the military use mil or MOA?
There is no official policy of the military, regarding the use of mil and MOA. However, the US military mostly uses mil-based scopes for sniper rifles and machine guns.
Final Thoughts
As shooters and firearm owners, we need to have the right knowledge before choosing the gear we use. When it comes to MRad vs MOA, it is best to base your decision on personal preferences and shooting needs. If possible, try out both types of scopes to find out the one you enjoy shooting with.
If you are a hobby shooter who prefers occasional pheasant hunting, the choice between MOA vs MRad may not be so important for you. However, in tactical shooting and competitions, where communication is important, the MRad system can be a better choice.
Remember, beyond the scope configuration, you will have to consider your choice of bullet and your shooting ability. No matter the scope you choose, there will be a lot of variables that you need to deal with. At the end of the day, it is your shooting ability by using a scope that determines real-world performance.
