What is MOA on a Red Dot Sight?
If you want to shoot accurately, the MOA on the red dot sight is an important factor. Why is MOA important in the red dot sight? Well, in this post, we will explain what is MOA on the red dot sight, why is it important, and how to choose MOA so you can shoot more accurately and easily.
Part 1. What is MOA?
MOA stands for Minute of Angle and is a commonly used term in shooting. It is mainly used to adjust windage/elevation angles and measure the size of the reticle. To put it simply, you can imagine: a circle has 360°, and one degree is divided into 60 equal parts, then one of the parts, 1/60, is a MOA.
In reality, 1 MOA is approximately equal to 1 inch at 100 yards. This means that if your red dot sight has a 1 MOA adjustment, moving the dot 1 MOA will move the bullet’s point of impact 1 inch at 100 yards. The further away you are, the greater the shift. For instance, at 200 yards, 1 MOA is equal to 2 inches, at 300 yards, 3 inches, and so on.
Part 2. How MOA Works on Red Dot Sights?
The red dot sight provides an aiming point in the form of an illuminated dot, and the size of the aiming point is usually expressed in MOA, which is very important for the red dot sight. In this section, we will explain how MOA works on the red dot sight.
Dot Size: The size of the dot in a red dot sight is measured in MOA. A 2 MOA dot means the dot will cover 2 inches of the target at 100 yards. Smaller dots, such as 1 MOA, provide more precision for distant targets but may be harder to see quickly in close quarters.
On the other hand, larger dots like 4 MOA are easier to see and faster to acquire, making them ideal for close-range shooting but less precise at long distances.
Adjustments: Red dot sights allow for windage and elevation adjustments to align the dot with the point of impact. These adjustments are typically made in 1/2, 1/4, or 1 MOA increments.
Understanding how to use these adjustments effectively is crucial for accurate shooting. For instance, if your shots land 2 inches to the right at 100 yards, you need to adjust the sight by 2 MOA to the left.
Part 3. How Does MOA Affect the Performance of A Red Dot Sight?
The MOA of a red dot sight affects performance in two aspects: one is precision and the other is speed of target acquisition.
A smaller MOA dot, such as 1 or 2 MOA, is more precise because it covers less of the target, making it ideal for long-range shooting where accuracy is crucial. However, smaller dots can be harder to see quickly, especially in low-light conditions or when aiming at moving targets.
Conversely, a larger MOA dot, such as 6 or 8 MOA, is easier to see and faster to acquire, which is advantageous in close-quarters combat or fast-paced shooting scenarios. The trade-off is reduced precision, as the larger dot covers more of the target, making it harder to aim precisely at longer distances.
Part 4. Typical MOA Sizes & Impact at Different Distances
The MOA size is determined by the distance. Below, we list some of the effects of MOA at different distances.
| Yards \ MOA | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 100 | 1.047 | 2.094 | 3.141 | 4.188 | 5.235 | 6.282 | 7.329 | 8.376 |
| 200 | 2.094 | 4.188 | 6.282 | 8.376 | 10.47 | 12.564 | 14.658 | 16.752 |
| 300 | 3.141 | 6.282 | 9.423 | 12.564 | 15.705 | 18.846 | 21.987 | 25.128 |
| 400 | 4.188 | 8.376 | 12.564 | 16.752 | 20.94 | 25.128 | 29.316 | 33.504 |
| 500 | 5.235 | 10.470 | 15.705 | 20.940 | 26.175 | 31.410 | 36.645 | 41.880 |
| 600 | 6.282 | 12.564 | 18.846 | 25.128 | 31.41 | 37.692 | 43.974 | 50.256 |
| 700 | 7.329 | 14.658 | 21.987 | 29.316 | 36.645 | 43.974 | 51.303 | 58.632 |
| 800 | 8.376 | 16.752 | 25.128 | 33.504 | 41.88 | 50.256 | 58.632 | 67.008 |
| 900 | 9.423 | 18.846 | 28.269 | 37.692 | 47.115 | 56.538 | 65.961 | 75.384 |
| 1000 | 10.470 | 20.940 | 31.410 | 41.880 | 52.35 | 62.820 | 73.290 | 83.760 |
Part 5. Which MOA Size is Ideal for Red Dot Sight?
As previously mentioned, accuracy and speed affect the choice of MOA, so the best MOA for your red dot sight will depend on your consideration of precision and speed.
If precision and accuracy are your top priorities, then 4 MOA and a red dot below would be a better choice for you. However, if you prefer faster aiming and shooting, 5 MOA and above will be more suitable for you.
If you are looking for red dot sights, Shotelex red dot sights are an excellent choice. Shotelex, known for their high-quality optics and robust construction, is designed to meet the diverse needs of shooters.
Their red dot sights offer various MOA options, allowing you to choose the size that best suits your shooting style and preferences. With Shotelex, you can be confident that you’re investing in a reliable sight that enhances both accuracy and speed, making it an ideal partner for your shooting endeavors.
FAQs about MOA
1. What’s a good MOA for a red dot?
Generally, a MOA for a red dot sight is typically 2-3 MOA. However, different scenarios have different requirements for MOA. Therefore, the MOA for red dot depends on the shooter’s needs and goals.
2. What MOA red dot for deer hunting?
For deer hunting, a 4 MOA dot sight is ideal. It provides the ideal balance of speed and accuracy, even though it might cover a wider area.
3. What is the preferred red dot size for a pistol?
The preferred red dot size for a pistol is usually 3-6 MOA. A larger dot, like 6 MOA, is quicker to acquire and is suitable for close-range shooting, while a smaller dot, around 3 MOA, offers more precision for longer distances.
4. How big is a 6 MOA dot at 25 yards?
A 6 MOA dot will cover an area of 1.5 inches at 25 yards.
