MOA vs MIL — What Do They Mean?

Both MOA and MIL are angular measurements.

• They do NOT measure inches — they measure angles.
• The distance determines how much those angles equal in inches.

MOA (Minute of Angle)

1 MOA ≈ 1.047 inches at 100 yards
(For practical purposes, most shooters treat it as 1 inch at 100 yards)

Quick reference:

• 1 MOA ≈ 1” at 100
• 2 MOA ≈ 2” at 100
• 1 MOA ≈ 2” at 200
• 1 MOA ≈ ½” at 50

MIL (Milliradian)

1 MIL = 3.6 inches at 100 yards

Quick reference:

• .1 MIL = 0.36” at 100
• .5 MIL = 1.8” at 100
• 1 MIL = 7.2” at 200
• .1 MIL = 0.72” at 200

Know what system your optic uses — and make sure your reticle and turrets match. (Nowadays they almost always do, but that wasn’t always the case.)

Common Scope Adjustments

Different optics adjust in different increments.

Find your click value on the turret, on/under the cap, on the optic housing, or in the owner’s manual.

MIL-Based Adjustments

Most common: .1 MIL per click

• 0.36” per click at 100
• 0.18” per click at 50

Less common: .5 MIL per click (coarse adjustment optics)

• 1.8” per click at 100
• 0.9” per click at 50

MOA-Based Adjustments

• .25 MOA per click — ≈ 0.25” at 100 / ≈ 0.125” at 50
• .5 MOA per click — ≈ 0.5” at 100 / ≈ 0.25” at 50
• 1 MOA per click — ≈ 1” at 100 / ≈ 0.5” at 50

62gr 5.56 Trajectory Comparison

(16” barrel, ~2,900 fps, 2.6” optic height, data collected via Ballistics AE)

25-Yard Zero

25-yard zero gives you a near zero at 25 and a far zero around ~360.

Approximate impacts:

• 50 yards: +2.3”
• 100 yards: +6.1”
• 150 yards: +8.6”
• 200 yards: +9.6”
• 250 yards: +9”
• 300 yards: +6.6”

36-Yard Zero

Near zero: 36. Far zero: ~275.

• • 50 yards: +0.9”
  • 100 yards: +3.2”
  • 150 yards: +4.2”

• 200 yards: +3.7”
• 250 yards: +1.7”
• 300 yards: -2.2”

50-Yard Zero (my preferred for general purpose)

Near zero: 50. Far zero: ~200.

• 50 yards: zero
• 100 yards: +1.5”
• 150 yards: +1.6”
• 200 yards: 0.3”
• 250 yards: -2.6”
• 300 yards: -7.4”

This keeps you within roughly ±2” from 0–200.

100-Yard Zero

Zeroed exactly at 100. No far/near because it is zeroed at the projectile’s apex.

• 50 yards: -0.7”
• 100 yards: zero
• 150 yards: -0.6”
• 200 yards: -2.6”
• 250 yards: -6.2”
• 300 yards: -11.7”

This zero distance allows for a finer truing of your zero to the cone of fire.

Mechanical Offset (Critical for All Zeros)

• Your optic sits at least 2.6” above bore.
• At very close range (5–15 yards): you will impact approximately 2–2.5 inches LOW.

Zero to the Cone of Fire — Not a 3–5 Shot Group

A true zero is not based on 3–5 rounds.

• Small groups are heavily influenced by randomness. If you adjust your optic to a tiny sample, you’re often “chasing” instead of centering the rifle’s true dispersion.
• Every rifle/ammo combination produces a natural pattern — often called the cone of fire.
• Your job is to zero to the center of that pattern, not the tightest cluster within it.

Practical Zeroing Procedure

1. Establish a stable position (prone or well-supported).
2. Fire a deliberate 10-round group at your intended zero distance.
3. Identify the center of the entire group.
4. Dial your optic to move the group center to point of aim.
5. Confirm with another group.

Quick Click Guide (Example: 1.5” correction)

Practical Takeaways

• Make your zero perfect and know it.
• Confirm your holds at 50, 100, and 200.
• Understand your click value.
• Account for mechanical offset inside 25 yards.
• Validate — don’t assume.