In my AR research, I kept coming across a term being thrown around called MOA. I found it being used in reference to a rifle’s accuracy, or measurement of accuracy… and adjustments on scope optics. So what is it?

MOA means ‘Minute of Angle’.  A circle is divided into 360 degrees, and each degree is divided into 60 minutes.  At 100 yards, 1 MOA is equal to 1 inch.  At 200 yards, 2 inches… and so on.

  • A well calibrated accurate AR should be able to maintain 1MOA groupings on the target
  • The adjustments (or ‘clicks’) on scope optics are measured in increments of MOA. Depending on the scope, each click can equal 1/8 MOA, or 1/4 MOA.  Having calculated the MOA at a given distance, you can adjust your scope the right number of clicks to get your point of impact where you want on the target

SOURCES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbhD2sU4L10