Minute Of Angle Calculator

MOA Formula:

\[ MOA = \arctan\left(\frac{Size}{Distance}\right) \times 3438 \]

Minute Of Angle (MOA):

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1. What is Minute Of Angle (MOA)?

Minute Of Angle (MOA) is a unit of angular measurement used in shooting and optics. One MOA equals 1/60th of one degree, which is approximately 1 inch at 100 yards. It's commonly used to measure accuracy and make scope adjustments in firearms.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MOA formula:

\[ MOA = \arctan\left(\frac{Size}{Distance}\right) \times 3438 \]

Where:

\( Size \) — Target size or group size in inches
\( Distance \) — Distance to target in yards
3438 — Constant to convert radians to minutes of angle (60 minutes/degree × 180/π)

Explanation: The formula calculates the angle in radians using arctangent of the ratio (size in inches divided by distance in inches), then converts it to minutes of angle.

3. Importance of MOA Calculation

Details: MOA is crucial for marksmen to understand shot grouping, adjust scopes, and compensate for bullet drop at different distances. It provides a standardized way to measure precision regardless of distance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the size of your target or shot group in inches and the distance to target in yards. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is MOA important in shooting?
A: MOA provides a consistent angular measurement that helps shooters make precise adjustments to their optics, regardless of the distance to target.

Q2: What's the difference between MOA and MIL?
A: MOA uses 1/60th of a degree while MIL (milliradian) uses 1/1000th of a radian. 1 MIL ≈ 3.6 MOA. MIL is often used in military applications.

Q3: How does MOA relate to inches at different distances?
A: 1 MOA ≈ 1 inch at 100 yards, ≈ 2 inches at 200 yards, ≈ 0.5 inches at 50 yards, etc. This linear relationship makes MOA intuitive for many shooters.

Q4: Can I use this calculator for metric measurements?
A: The calculator requires inches and yards. For metric, convert cm to inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) and meters to yards (1 yard ≈ 0.9144 meters) before input.

Q5: How precise is MOA calculation for practical shooting?
A: For most practical shooting applications, MOA calculations provide sufficient precision. However, extreme long-range shooting may require more precise calculations accounting for additional factors.