Long Range Shooting Series: Basics of MOA (Minute of Angle)

TheGunGuy
29 Dec 201324:24
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis instructional video script delves into the concept of Minute of Angle (MOA) in long-range shooting, aiming to simplify its understanding. It explains MOA as a consistent measurement regardless of distance, using the analogy of a pie slice to illustrate how bullet drop increases with range. The script also discusses scope adjustments, emphasizing the standard 1/4 MOA and advising against the use of 1/8 MOA due to its complexity. It breaks down how scope clicks translate to bullet impact movement at various distances, providing clarity on the incremental adjustments shooters need to make for precision shooting.

Takeaways
  • 🎯 The concept of 'minute of angle' (MOA) is fundamental in long-range shooting, representing the angle subtended by one minute at the target distance.
  • πŸ“ One MOA is a fixed angle, regardless of the distance, but its physical size on the target changes with distance; it grows as the bullet travels further.
  • πŸ“ At 100 yards, one MOA is equivalent to one inch, two inches at 200 yards, three inches at 300 yards, and so on.
  • πŸ” The 'pie slice' analogy is used to visualize MOA, where the size of the pie slice represents the increasing size of the angle as distance increases.
  • πŸ”§ Scope adjustments are often measured in MOA, with common adjustments being 1/4 MOA, 1/2 MOA, and 1/8 MOA.
  • 🚫 The 1/8 MOA scope is not recommended for long-range shooting due to the precision required and the effort involved in making adjustments.
  • πŸ”„ At 100 yards, one click on a 1/4 MOA scope moves the crosshairs 1/4 of an inch, at 200 yards the same click moves it 1/2 an inch, and at 300 yards, 3/4 of an inch.
  • πŸ”„ The effect of each click on the scope increases with distance because the angle covered by the same number of clicks becomes larger.
  • πŸ”„ For a 1/4 MOA scope, two clicks at 100 yards move the bullet impact by half an inch, at 200 yards by one inch, and at 300 yards by one and a half inches.
  • πŸ“ˆ The importance of understanding MOA is emphasized for adjusting bullet impact accurately at various distances in long-range shooting.
  • πŸ›  The script aims to simplify the understanding of MOA, especially for those who find it difficult to grasp the concept.
Q & A
  • What is the concept of 'minute of angle' explained in the video?

    -The 'minute of angle' (MOA) is a unit of angular measurement used in shooting to describe the angle that subtends at the target when viewed from the shooter's position. It is represented as a 'pie slice' in the video, where the size of the slice grows with distance, affecting the bullet's trajectory and impact point.

  • Why is the concept of 'pie slice' used to describe minute of angle?

    -The 'pie slice' analogy is used to visualize how the angle of view expands with distance. As the bullet travels further, the angle it subtends at the target increases, which is why the pie slice appears to grow larger.

  • What is the significance of the straight line in the 'pie slice' analogy?

    -The straight line in the analogy represents the direct line of sight from the shooter to the target. It is described as fictitious and non-existent because no gun shoots a perfectly flat trajectory over distance due to gravity and other factors.

  • How does the bullet's trajectory relate to the concept of minute of angle?

    -The bullet's trajectory is affected by gravity and other factors, causing it to drop over distance. The minute of angle helps shooters understand how much the bullet will deviate from the straight line at different distances, which is crucial for long-range shooting.

  • What are the different types of MOA adjustments available on scopes?

    -The video mentions three types of MOA adjustments on scopes: quarter-inch MOA, half-inch MOA, and 1/8 inch MOA. These adjustments determine how much the crosshairs move per click on the scope's adjustment knobs.

  • Why is an 1/8 inch MOA scope not recommended for long-range shooting?

    -An 1/8 inch MOA scope is not recommended for long-range shooting because it requires very fine adjustments, which can be cumbersome and unnecessary for most long-range applications.

  • What is the standard MOA adjustment for scopes used in shooting?

    -The standard MOA adjustment for scopes is quarter-inch MOA, which is commonly used for its balance between precision and ease of adjustment.

  • How does the video explain the impact of MOA adjustments at different distances?

    -The video uses the 'pie slice' analogy to show that the same number of clicks on a scope will move the bullet impact point by different amounts at different distances due to the increasing size of the angle.

  • What is the relationship between MOA adjustments and bullet impact at 100, 200, and 300 yards?

    -At 100 yards, one click on a quarter MOA scope moves the bullet impact by 1/4 inch. At 200 yards, the same click moves the impact by 1/2 inch, and at 300 yards, it moves the impact by 3/4 inch. This is because the angle subtended by the bullet's trajectory increases with distance.

  • How does the video simplify the understanding of MOA for viewers?

    -The video simplifies the understanding of MOA by breaking down the concept into visual analogies, such as the 'pie slice,' and by providing step-by-step explanations of how MOA adjustments affect bullet impact at various distances.

  • What is the importance of understanding MOA in long-range shooting?

    -Understanding MOA is crucial in long-range shooting as it allows shooters to accurately adjust their aim to compensate for the bullet's drop over distance, ensuring precision and accuracy in hitting the target.

Outlines
00:00
🎯 Understanding Minute of Angle (MOA) Basics

The speaker begins by explaining the concept of Minute of Angle (MOA) in the context of shooting. They use the analogy of a pie slice to illustrate how MOA represents the angle at which a bullet travels. The pie slice grows as the bullet moves further away, affecting the bullet's trajectory. The speaker emphasizes that one MOA is consistent regardless of distance, equating to one inch at 100 yards, two inches at 200 yards, and so on. They also discuss the importance of understanding MOA relative to gravity's effect on a bullet's drop, without needing to know the physics behind it. Finally, the speaker introduces the topic of scope adjustments, mentioning different MOA settings on scopes and advising against the use of an 1/8 MOA scope for long-range shooting due to its complexity.

05:01
πŸ“ Scope Adjustments and MOA Click Values

This paragraph delves deeper into scope adjustments, focusing on the impact of MOA on bullet trajectory at different distances. The speaker uses a quarter MOA scope as an example, explaining that one click on such a scope moves the bullet impact by a quarter of an inch at 100 yards. They illustrate how this changes with distance, with the same click moving the bullet impact by half an inch at 200 yards and three-quarters of an inch at 300 yards. The explanation includes a visual aid, with the speaker drawing lines to represent different distances and clicks, emphasizing the incremental increase in bullet movement with each click as the distance increases.

10:07
πŸ” Incremental Bullet Movement with Scope Clicks

The speaker continues the discussion on the incremental movement of a bullet's impact with each click of a scope, using a quarter MOA scope as the basis. They clarify that at 100 yards, one click moves the bullet by a quarter of an inch, two clicks by half an inch, three clicks by three-quarters of an inch, and four clicks by one inch. As the distance increases to 200 and then 300 yards, the impact of the same number of clicks doubles and triples, respectively, due to the increasing size of the 'pie slice' or MOA. The speaker uses this to demonstrate the importance of understanding scope adjustments and how they affect bullet trajectory at varying distances.

15:09
πŸ“ Calculating Bullet Impact at Different Distances

In this paragraph, the speaker provides a detailed explanation of how to calculate the bullet impact at 100, 200, and 300 yards using a quarter MOA scope. They reiterate that at 100 yards, one click equals a quarter of an inch, two clicks equal half an inch, and so on. As the distance increases, the impact of the same number of clicks also increases. For instance, at 200 yards, one click equals half an inch, and at 300 yards, one click equals three-quarters of an inch. The speaker emphasizes the consistency of the click-to-impact relationship, regardless of the distance, and how it scales with the size of the MOA 'pie slice'.

20:12
πŸ”„ Correcting Errors and Reinforcing MOA Concepts

The speaker acknowledges a mistake made in the previous explanation and corrects it, ensuring that the audience has the correct information. They reiterate the concept that at 200 yards, three clicks on a quarter MOA scope would move the bullet impact by 1.5 inches, and at 300 yards, the same three clicks would cover a distance of two inches. The speaker is careful to clarify and reinforce the understanding of MOA and its practical application in long-range shooting, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and precision in scope adjustments.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Minute of Angle (MOA)
Minute of Angle, often abbreviated as MOA, is a unit of angular measurement used in shooting to describe the angular change required for a bullet to impact at different distances. In the video, MOA is central to understanding how scopes adjust the aim of a rifle. The script explains that one MOA at 100 yards is equivalent to one inch of impact movement, and this changes proportionally with distance, such as two inches at 200 yards and three inches at 300 yards.
πŸ’‘Scope
A scope is an optical device mounted on a firearm to provide an accurate aiming point. The script discusses different types of scope adjustments, emphasizing the importance of understanding how minute of angle relates to the scope's adjustment knobs, which can be in increments of 1/4 MOA, 1/2 MOA, or 1/8 MOA.
πŸ’‘Windage
Windage refers to the horizontal adjustment on a scope used to correct for wind or to move the point of impact left or right. The script mentions windage as one of the adjustments on a scope, alongside elevation adjustments, which are used to move the crosshairs up and down.
πŸ’‘Elevation
Elevation is the vertical adjustment on a scope that moves the point of impact up and down. The video script uses the concept of elevation to explain how bullet drop is compensated for at different ranges by adjusting the scope's elevation knob.
πŸ’‘Bullet Drop
Bullet drop is the phenomenon where a bullet's trajectory is affected by gravity, causing it to fall as it travels to the target. The script mentions bullet drop in the context of explaining why MOA adjustments change with distance, as the bullet's path is influenced by gravity.
πŸ’‘Click
In the context of the video, a 'click' refers to the mechanical action of adjusting the scope's knobs, which correspond to changes in the bullet's point of impact. The script uses 'clicks' to illustrate how many adjustments are needed to move the impact point by a certain distance at various ranges.
πŸ’‘Long-Range Shooting
Long-range shooting involves firing at targets at significant distances, which requires precise adjustments for factors like wind, bullet drop, and scope settings. The video script focuses on the importance of understanding MOA for long-range accuracy.
πŸ’‘Pie Slice Analogy
The pie slice analogy is used in the script to visualize the concept of MOA. It compares the angular size of the bullet's impact area to a slice of a pie, which grows larger as the distance increases, analogous to how the impact of a single MOA adjustment grows with distance.
πŸ’‘Fictitious Straight Line
The script refers to a 'fictitious straight line' to describe the theoretical path a bullet would take if not affected by gravity or other forces. It emphasizes that no real bullet travels in such a straight line, which is why MOA adjustments are necessary.
πŸ’‘Scope Knobs
Scope knobs are the adjustment mechanisms on a scope that allow for precise aiming. The video script discusses different increments of MOA adjustments available on these knobs, such as 1/4 MOA, which is considered standard, and the implications of these increments for shooting at various distances.
πŸ’‘Mental Minute of Angle
Mental Minute of Angle is a concept the script mentions, referring to the shooter's ability to visualize and understand the impact of MOA adjustments without needing to look at the scope. The video aims to make this concept easier to grasp for viewers.
Highlights

Introduction to the concept of Minute of Angle (MOA) in shooting, emphasizing its importance and simplicity.

Explanation of MOA as a consistent measurement regardless of distance, using the 'pie slice' analogy.

Clarification that one MOA equals one inch at 100 yards, scaling linearly with distance.

Discussion on the irrelevance of understanding the physics behind bullet drop, focusing on practical application.

Differentiation between various scope adjustments in MOA increments: 1/4, 1/2, and 1/8.

Recommendation against using 1/8 MOA scopes due to the excessive fine-tuning required.

Standardization of 1/4 MOA as the common choice for long-range shooting.

Illustration of scope adjustment effects on bullet impact at varying distances.

Demonstration of how a 1/4 MOA scope moves the bullet impact one quarter inch per click at 100 yards.

Explanation of how the impact of scope clicks changes with distance, doubling from 100 to 200 yards.

Visual representation of bullet impact movement at 200 and 300 yards with a 1/4 MOA scope.

Emphasis on the importance of understanding the scaling effect of MOA with distance.

Correction of a mistake made during the demonstration, ensuring clarity in the explanation.

Reiteration of the impact of three clicks on a 1/4 MOA scope at 200 and 300 yards.

Final summary reinforcing the concept that scope clicks move the bullet impact proportionally with distance.

The presenter's commitment to breaking down complex concepts for better understanding by the audience.

Transcripts
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