SubMOA

SubMOA is a term used in firearms and optics to denote accuracy or adjustment precision better than one minute of angle (MOA). A MOA equals 1/60 of a degree; at 100 yards it corresponds to about 1.047 inches (2.67 cm), and at 100 meters about 2.91 cm. Therefore, subMOA describes performance where shot groups are smaller than these values at the given range. Because MOA scales with distance, a subMOA claim is inherently range-specific; a group under 1 MOA at 100 yards may be larger than 1 MOA at longer distances.

The term is commonly applied to rifle accuracy, ammunition consistency, and optic adjustment precision. Products and services may be described as subMOA, half-MOA, or quarter-MOA to indicate tight tolerances or fine adjustment capabilities in scopes and mounts. SubMOA expectations are often tied to the combination of a stable platform, uniform ammunition, and refined shooting technique.

Measuring subMOA performance typically involves firing five- or ten-shot groups at a stated distance on a stable rest. The group size is recorded as the maximum distance between bullet holes, usually reported as the group diameter. It is important to recognize that real-world results depend on shooter skill, wind, temperature, bore condition, and other variables; a subMOA result in controlled testing does not guarantee subMOA performance in the field.

Optical adjustments can influence subMOA outcomes; many scopes offer calibration clicks (for example, 1/4 MOA per click) to enable finer sighting corrections. While subMOA remains a common benchmark in precision shooting, it is not a universal guarantee of performance across all conditions.