0 MOA vs 20 MOA Scope Mounts: What’s the Right Choice for Your Rifle?
If you're upgrading your rifle with a precision optic, you've probably encountered scope rails listed as either 0 MOA or 20 MOA. These numbers might seem small, but they have a big impact on how your optic performs—especially at long distances.
This article breaks down what MOA means, the key differences between 0 MOA and 20 MOA rails, and how to choose the best option based on your optic and shooting style.
What Is MOA (Minute of Angle)?
MOA, or Minute of Angle, is an angular unit used in shooting to measure accuracy and adjustments. There are 60 minutes in a degree, and one MOA equals 1.047 inches at 100 yards.
MOA is how scope turrets adjust for bullet drop: 1 MOA up on your turret will raise your point of impact by ~1” at 100 yards, ~2” at 200 yards, and so on.
The Difference Between 0 MOA and 20 MOA Rails
0 MOA Rail (Flat Mount)
A 0 MOA rail is completely flat and parallel to the bore of the rifle. It’s perfect for short- to mid-range shooting, where most of your scope’s internal adjustment is focused near the optical center.
- Best For:
- Hunting rifles
- Short- to mid-range scopes (less than 50 MOA adjustment range)
- Zeroing at 100–300 yards
- Red dot or low magnification scopes
20 MOA Rail (Angled Mount)
A 20 MOA rail is sloped forward by 20 Minutes of Angle. This tilt points your optic slightly downward, which repositions the internal reticle higher in its adjustment range.
This preserves more usable 'up' elevation—critical for long-range precision shooting.
- Best For:
- Scopes with 60+ MOA of elevation travel
- Shooting at 600–1,200+ yards
- Match or precision rifle setups
- Long-range calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, or .300 PRC
Important: If your scope doesn’t have enough total elevation, a 20 MOA rail may prevent you from zeroing at 100 yards. This is common with entry-level scopes or 1” tube scopes that only offer ~40–50 MOA of total travel.
Why MOA Rails Matter for Long-Range Shooting
When you mount a scope, you're working within a finite amount of internal elevation. With a 0 MOA rail, half of this range is often used just to zero the rifle at 100 yards—leaving limited room for dialing up as you stretch out past 800+ yards.
A 20 MOA rail essentially shifts your starting point, so you keep more of your elevation for downrange use.
Real-World Example: 6.5 Creedmoor + 60 MOA Scope
Let’s say your scope offers 60 MOA of vertical travel:
- With a 0 MOA rail, you may only have 30 MOA of upward travel after zeroing at 100 yards.
- With a 20 MOA rail, you could have 50 MOA of upward travel, letting you dial well past 1,200 yards with less holdover.
That difference becomes mission-critical for long-range hunters, PRS competitors, and tactical shooters.
When to Use Each Rail Type
| Use Case | Rail Type | Scope Adjustment Range | Max Effective Range |
| Hunting or 100–300 yard zero | 0 MOA | < 50 MOA | ~600–800 yards |
| Long-range shooting (600+ yds) | 20 MOA | 60+ MOA | 1,000–1,300+ yards |
Still Not Sure What You Need?
Your scope—not your rifle—determines which MOA base you should use. Always check your optic’s specs before choosing a mount.
Pro Tip: You can combine a 20 MOA base with canted scope rings if you're pushing into Extreme Long Range (ELR) territory.
Still have questions? Contact our support team—we’re rifle nerds and love this stuff.
Explore Tikka Rails at Mountain Tactical
Whether you're building a competition rig or a backcountry hunting setup, we manufacture CNC-machined billet rails for Tikka rifles with both 0 MOA and 20 MOA configurations.
Shop scope rails now: [link]
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