What do MOA and MRAD mean on riflescopes?
MOA and MRAD are two units of angle. They do not describe a fixed length. A corresponding length can only be determined when a distance is also given. An angular value is therefore more like the opening between two lines than a measurement on a ruler.
MOA and MRAD are two units of angle. They do not describe a fixed length. A corresponding length can only be determined when a distance is also given. An angular value is therefore more like the opening between two lines than a measurement on a ruler.
MOA stands for “Minute of Angle”. One degree contains 60 minutes of angle. MRAD means milliradian, one thousandth of the angular unit radian. Rounded, 1 MOA / 0.2909 MRAD describe the same angle. Conversely, 3.4377 MOA / 1 MRAD are equivalent. In riflescope terminology, “MIL” is often used for MRAD as well. Other historical angular subdivisions are not automatically identical to it.
Weitschuss gives these angles in the order MOA / MRAD. For example, 20 MOA / 5.8178 MRAD express the same nominal value. Decimal places introduced by conversion do not imply higher manufacturing precision. When reading a data sheet, also check whether a value describes the full adjustment range or only part of it.