What are the Disadvantages of a 20 MOA Rail?

Firearm Accessories
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When it comes to mounting scopes on firearms, a 20 MOA (Minute of Angle) rail is often recommended for extended shooting distances. However, there are several disadvantages to consider that might impact your shooting experience. Here are some key points to think about:

  • Height Adjustments: A 20 MOA rail raises your scope significantly. This can affect cheek weld and the overall ergonomics of your rifle. For some shooters, this height can feel unnatural, especially if you’re used to a low-profile setup.

  • Limited Adjustment Range: While 20 MOA provides added elevation, it might limit how far you can adjust your scope downward if you frequently switch between long range and close range shooting. This might necessitate a different rail or additional spacing in some situations.

  • Compatibility Issues: Before committing, it’s vital to ensure your scope is compatible with the MOA rail. Certain scopes may not have enough internal adjustment range to accommodate a 20 MOA inclination effectively, leading to suboptimal performance.

  • Shooting Distances: A 20 MOA rail is designed for long-range shooting, but if you’re primarily engaging in close-range targets, it can actually hinder your accuracy. It can make it difficult to get a proper zero at closer distances, leading to frustrating shooting experiences.

In conclusion, while a 20 MOA rail has its advantages for long-range shooting, it also comes with some notable drawbacks that could affect your firearm setup. What are your thoughts or experiences with 20 MOA rails? Any tricks you’ve found to mitigate the issues? Share below!

3 Likes
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A 20 MOA rail can limit the elevation adjustment for many scopes. This might lead to issues in long-range shooting where additional elevation is necessary.

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Absolutely! I’ve found that certain scopes just aren’t made for MOA adjustments at all. It can be quite frustrating in the field.

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Another challenge is that if your scope doesn’t have enough internal adjustment, you’re basically stuck with whatever range you can achieve without dialing in extra elevation.

5

This totally makes sense! It’s like buying a new car but finding out you can’t drive it past 60 mph.

6

I agree with both of you. If the scope mounted on a 20 MOA rail doesn’t match well, it becomes an expensive lesson in compatibility and planning.

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Plus, switching scopes can be costly! I’d recommend doing some research before buying anything to avoid this pitfall.

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For sure! It’s surprising how many people overlook this aspect when investing.

9

Limited elevation also means you might need to buy rings with height adjustments that might offset the whole rail setup’s purpose.

10

That definitely complicates things. Just another layer of potential mistakes if you’re not fully informed about your equipment.

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Right? It turns into a puzzle you didn’t ask to solve!

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What about different scopes having varying levels of internal adjustment? That makes choosing the right setup even more tricky!

13

Inquiring minds want to know! It’s very important to consider the entire setup, not just the rail or scope independently.

14

Honestly, could you imagine a world where we didn’t need those MOA rails? It’d save so many headaches!

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Right! Maybe someday we’ll evolve to a better system that’s less complicated. Until then, here we are!

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A 20 MOA rail can create complications when zeroing a rifle, especially at short distances. It might lead to exaggerated vertical adjustments that can throw off accuracy significantly.

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Exactly! Finding that sweet spot when transitioning between distances can be a real headache. It’s like trying to find Wi-Fi in the mountains!

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I agree, zeroing at various distances can be tricky. Moisture, temperature, and even altitude should be considered. These factors can exacerbate the challenges posed by a 20 MOA rail.

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It feels like a 20 MOA rail assumes you’ll only shoot far distances, which is limiting. If someone plans to shoot closer, it can be frustrating to constantly adjust.

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Definitely! It puts you in a tough spot when the target suddenly shifts closer. You end up at the mercy of your settings.