That coyote just popped up, way out there. You need to make the shot, fast. But which scope adjustment system gets you on target quicker and more reliably for wary predators – MOA or MRAD? It’s a common question, and honestly, there ain’t one perfect answer for everyone.
What are MOA and MRAD anyway
Both MOA (Minute of Angle) and MRAD (Milliradian, or Mil) are angular measurements. Think of ’em like slices of a pie. They help us correct our rifle scope for bullet drop and wind drift.
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MOA: One MOA is roughly 1 inch at 100 yards. Well, technically 1.047 inches, but who’s counting fractions when a yote’s in the crosshairs? So at 200 yards, it’s about 2 inches, at 300 yards about 3 inches, and so on. Many American hunters grew up with MOA. It feels natural if you think in inches and yards.
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MRAD: One MRAD is about 3.6 inches at 100 yards. Or, if you prefer metric, it’s 10 centimeters at 100 meters. A common adjustment on MRAD scopes is 0.1 MRAD, which is 0.36 inches at 100 yards. Lots of military and long-range competition shooters use MRADs because the math can be simpler, especially if your reticle matches your turrets.
They both do the same job… just using a different language.
MOA for predator scenarios
For many predator hunters, especially those engaging targets inside 400 yards, MOA scopes are plenty good. If you’re used to thinking “I need to come up 6 inches,” it’s pretty easy to figure out that’s 2 MOA at 300 yards or 1.5 MOA at 400 yards.
The adjustments on MOA scopes are often finer. A 1/4 MOA click means you’re moving the bullet impact just a quarter-inch at 100 yards. This can feel more precise for some folks trying to hit a relatively small target like a coyote’s vitals.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | MOA | MRAD |
|---|---|---|
| Based On | Angles, roughly 1 inch at 100 yds | Angles, roughly 3.6 inches at 100 yds |
| Calculations | Often simpler with imperial units | Often simpler with metric units |
| Turret Clicks | Commonly 1/4 or 1/2 MOA adjustments | Commonly 0.1 MRAD adjustments |
If your buddies all use MOA, it makes communication easier too. “Dial 4 MOA up” is straightforward.
MRAD in the field
MRAD systems really shine when you start stretching the distance or if you like simpler math for corrections. One common advantage is that many MRAD reticles (like mil-dot or similar) make range estimation and holdovers more intuitive… if you learn the system.
For example, if you see a coyote that measures 1 mil tall in your scope, and you know a coyote is roughly 18 inches tall, a quick formula can give you the range. (Target size in inches / Mils read) 27.77 = Range in yards. Or, target size in cm / Mils read 10 = Range in meters. Some find this easier than the MOA equivalent.
The adjustments, 0.1 MRAD per click, are a bit coarser than 1/4 MOA clicks (0.36 inches vs 0.25 inches at 100 yards). But for predator hunting, this difference is often negligible. Fewer clicks to get to your desired adjustment can sometimes be faster.
Reticles and your decision
This is a biggie. Ideally, you want your reticle subtensions (the hash marks) to match your turret adjustments.
- MOA turret with an MOA reticle? Good to go.
- MRAD turret with an MRAD reticle? Also good.
- Mixing them, like an MOA reticle with MRAD turrets? That’s asking for confusion under pressure. Don’t do it.
First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes are popular with MRAD reticles because the reticle subtensions are accurate at any magnification. For predator hunting, where shots can be quick and at varying distances, an FFP scope with a well-designed MRAD or MOA reticle can be mighty handy. Second Focal Plane (SFP) scopes mean the reticle is only accurate at one magnification (usually the highest).
Ultimately, the best system is the one you’re most comfortable and proficient with. If you’re new, maybe try looking through scopes with both. If you’ve used MOA your whole life and it works, there’s no burning need to switch unless you really want to explore MRAD for its specific benefits. Both will drop a coyote if you do your part.