MOA, MRAD/MIL and CM (2024)

Basically, the world is divided into two different measurement systems: the imperial and the metric. While the imperial system operates in inches and MOA, the metric system uses centimeters and MRAD.

Which turret system is the best: MOA or MRAD? This is not easy to answer because it has a lot to do with what you are used to. And this is very individual and personal. However, from our experience the metric system has some significant advantages. Such as the simplicity of doing the math: it is easy to convert the units, i. e. from meters (unit shooting distance) to centimeters (unit turret adjustment) – you just have to move the decimal point. For example, at a shooting distance of 300 m one click of an MRAD click value adjustment corresponds to 0.03 m or 3 cm. This kind of simplicity is all you want when facing a difficult task such as long-range precision shooting. That is also why you will find much more MRAD than MOA specifications in our product portfolio.

Schmidt & Bender offers for both systems very precise and repeatable turret adjustments. No matter if MOA or MRAD click value: all of them are trusted and proved by a lot of professional shooters around the world.

MOA

MOA stands for Minute Of Angle and represents ¹⁄₆₀ of a degree. 1 MOA is 1.047″ at 100 yd (2.9 cm at 100 m) and is suitable for those who are familiar with the imperial measurement system. Some also may know the so-called Shooters MOA (SMOA) which is exactly 1″ at 100 yd. However, Schmidt & Bender uses only true/real MOA (2.9 cm at 100 m/1.047″ at 100 yd) turrets and reticles. We offer the following MOA based turrets: ¼ MOA for Single Turn (ST) or Double Turn turrets (DT) and ⅛ MOA for Multi Turn turrets (MT).

MRAD or MIL

MRAD stands for Milliradian (abbreviation MIL) and represents ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ of a radian. 0.1 MRAD/MIL is 1 cm at 100 m and is suitable for those using the metric system. If you take it exactly though, 0.1 MIL (NATO) is actually 0.098 MRAD. However, Schmidt & Bender uses MRAD as well as MIL for exactly 1 cm at 100 m. Due to the simplicity of the metric system MRAD is usually the standard for Military and LE riflescopes. This is also why it is preferred by most tactical precision shooters.

CM

Schmidt & Bender uses also cm marks and numbers on some of the turrets. These turrets are labeled either as “1 Click = 0.5 cm” or “1 Click = 1 cm”. The click value refers always to 100 m. In general, 0.1 MRAD equals 1 cm at 100 m and 0.05 MRAD equals 0.5 cm at 100 m. For the reason of better orientation we use on some turrets cm marks and numbers. We do so in order to make the turret marks and numbers more recognizable by using fewer digits. For example: the MT II turret has just the number “5” at the tenth click (10 x 0.5 cm = 5 cm) and that is why the turret itself is labeled as “1 Click = 0.5 cm”. If it were in MRAD we would have to use the number “0.05” which is three digits longer but expresses the same click value. The finest click value in our product range is 0.25 cm at 100 m and is only available for the 12-50x56 PM II.

Please Note

No matter which system you prefer: please take care to have a matching turret and reticle measurement system within your riflescope in order to avoid a source of error. So please keep turrets and reticle always either truly MOA or MRAD based.

About our turrets

Sub-Zero Clicks

Hunting turrets

Most hunting BDC turrets are offered in cm or in MRAD since most of our hunting reticles are MRAD based as well. Only our 3-21x50 Exos is offered with MOA hunting turrets with a MOA reticle accordingly.

To the Turrets

PM II and Competition turrets

The PM II and Competition turrets are divided into Gen I and Gen II turrets. Gen I turrets are still state of the art and are proven by police and military units around the world for decades. However, Gen II turrets reflects the ongoing technical and mechanical evolution and therefore incorporates more detailed technical features.

To the Turrets