Given equal training with milradian and moa based scope measure, is there really any reason these days for a civilian to stick to mil over MOA or IPHY?
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Create a channel Learn moreFirst of all, the correct term for the "mils" we use in scopes is <span style="font-weight: bold">mrad</span> (for milliradiant), which means 1/1000th of a radiant. A radiant is the part of the circle that subtends the same distance as the radius of same circle. There are different "mils" that don't represent the 1/1000 ratio but divide the full circle into an even number like 6400 instead of the 6283,18.. mrad in a full circle. This was done in order to be able to work with large angles. Small arms shooting deals with small angles, so we can afford to have an odd number in the full circle, while gaining the advantage of having an even ratio of 1/1000 to work with.
First of all, the correct term for the "mils" we use in scopes is mrad (for milliradiant), which means 1/1000th of a radiant. A radiant is the part of the circle that subtends the same distance as the radius of same circle. There are different "mils" that don't represent the 1/1000 ratio but divide the full circle into an even number like 6400 instead of the 6283,18.. mrad in a full circle. This was done in order to be able to work with large angles. Small arms shooting deals with small angles, so we can afford to have an odd number in the full circle, while gaining the advantage of having an even ratio of 1/1000 to work with.
The 1/1000th is the part that connects mrad to the metric system. They are not based upon each other, but both are decimal systems (meaning base ten), and that's why they work so well together. If one yard contained 100 inches, yards and inches would work together with mrad just as well als meters and centimeters do.
It's the odd ratios of "12 inches in one foot" and "three feet in one yard" that ruin it for the imperial system guys. If you don't start using the same unit of measurement for target distance and target size, you might as well keep on using MOA because there will always be an odd factor needing to be figured into your calculation.
Or the question could perhaps be asked "is there any reason to go MOA anymore?"
I like LL's explanation that the MOA and IPHY scopes can vary between the manufacturers. A mil is a mil is a mil regardless if it's a USO, Nightforce, or Vortex, etc.
I kind of get a kick out of those that say they can't get used to the base 10 system.
Check your fingers and toes! YOU are a base 10 system.
And it has been pointed out above also. Do you use money? I hope you don't get too stumped with that?
1/1000 can correspond to yards, meters, coyotes, or Chevrolets.
No need to over think this.
Of course MOA and IHPY can work well enough for those who want to use them as well.