when it says a scope has 0-120moa or 0-75moa (looking at S&B scopes) what does that really mean? for 120 moa does that mean i get 120 in either direction or 120 total (60 either way)?
Generally that means total available adjustment. There is also "working adjustment" which is what is available on the turret. A scope can have more total available adjustment that is not immediately available due to how the turret and zero stop function works.