Understanding MOA

[Off in the Bushes]

In another thread I got suggested a Red Dot but it has 3 MOA is that alot. Its for a 22. I understand that it stands for Minute of Angle and at 100 yards it is 3 inches. Does that mean that the scope can drift 3 inches at 100 yards or 6 inches total for right to center to left. When shooting gophers it that going to be a big deal?
Is it worth purchasing?

[Newview01]

In my experience, with my below average eyesight, a red dot is not something that I would be using to shoot gophers at 100 yards with. But that's just me.

Not so much to do with eyesight though. Red dot sizes are a handicap that far out, especially when gophers seem to blend in.

[DiabeticKripple]

I'm not 100% sure, but for a 3 MOA red dot, I think the dot covers up 3" of target at 100yds

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

I'm not 100% sure, but for a 3 MOA red dot, I think the dot covers up 3" of target at 100yds

This is also what I tought.

[catnthehat]

I know nothing about red dots but I agree, optics wise , 3 MOA designates a dot that covers basically 3"@100 yards
Cat

[elkhunter11]

I wouldn't be using a 3moa dot to shoot targets that are smaller than 3moa.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by Off in the Bushes

In another thread I got suggested a Red Dot but it has 3 MOA is that alot. Its for a 22. I understand that it stands for Minute of Angle and at 100 yards it is 3 inches. Does that mean that the scope can drift 3 inches at 100 yards or 6 inches total for right to center to left. When shooting gophers it that going to be a big deal?
Is it worth purchasing?

A 3MOA dot would subtend (cover) a circle with a diameter of near 3 " at 100 yds. at a given power setting. It is not the best for shooting smaller targets like gophers Gophers.
A fine cross hair would serve you well for a .22 in a Gopher patch.

[260 Rem]

The 3MOA dot will cover (just a bit over) 3" at 100 yds. Not sure what you mean by "drift"? The center of the dot is the zero point so the issue at 100yds is that the dot may cover the target...but since it is unlikely that you would zero a .22 at that distance, your issue is going to be determining holdover. Let's assume the dot is zeroed at 50 yards and your bullet drops 4.5" between 50 and 100 yards....which would require a holdover of a full dot diameter between your target and the center of the dot. Visualize two dots stacked over the gophers center of mass. If your eyes are very good, no problem.
Dots can be very accurate sight systems and are probably best suited for shooting at targets that are at least 50% larger than the dot.

[260 Rem]

Personally, I would not put a red dot on a gopher gun as I prefer a fine duplex reticle in a scope with lots of magnification.

[CNP]

A red dot on a gopher gun is a good option. As said, a 3 moa dot will cover a 3 inch circle at 100 yards, as a 5 moa dot will cover a 5 inch circle at 100 yards. A smaller red dot on a rifle is better. Large dots are for handgun shooting. Gopher hunting with a .22 at 100 yards? Who does that? I don't shoot anything at 100 yards with a .22. A 3 moa dot will cover 1.5 inches of your target at 50 yards.................that is great minute-of-gopher. Better than iron sights. Bushnell TRS-25, 3 moa dot.............good option for a .22

[Mateo]

Originally Posted by CNP

A red dot on a gopher gun is a good option. As said, a 3 moa dot will cover a 3 inch circle at 100 yards, as a 5 moa dot will cover a 5 inch circle at 100 yards. A smaller red dot on a rifle is better. Large dots are for handgun shooting. Gopher hunting with a .22 at 100 yards? Who does that? I don't shoot anything at 100 yards with a .22. A 3 moa dot will cover 1.5 inches of your target at 50 yards.................that is great minute-of-gopher. Better than iron sights. Bushnell TRS-25, 3 moa dot.............good option for a .22

I use the trs-25 red dot as well. A great little sight for hunting gophers. Sits on my 10/22 and it feels great. Most gopher shots are less than 50 yards for me.

[wwbirds]

As has previously been mentioned red dot is not best choice for gopher patch. since POI is directly related to POA which will vary by up to 3 inches at 100 yards there is a lot of room for error with a 3 MOA red dot.

[DiabeticKripple]

Originally Posted by CNP

A red dot on a gopher gun is a good option. As said, a 3 moa dot will cover a 3 inch circle at 100 yards, as a 5 moa dot will cover a 5 inch circle at 100 yards. A smaller red dot on a rifle is better. Large dots are for handgun shooting. Gopher hunting with a .22 at 100 yards? Who does that? I don't shoot anything at 100 yards with a .22. A 3 moa dot will cover 1.5 inches of your target at 50 yards.................that is great minute-of-gopher. Better than iron sights. Bushnell TRS-25, 3 moa dot.............good option for a .22

I shot quite a few gophers last year over 100yds away. I zeroed at 100 and was blasting them.

[Off in the Bushes]

Thanks for all the clarification on the MOA, I think that I will still look for a Red Dot for the this particular 22.

[Slash8]

Originally Posted by 260 rem

personally, i would not put a red dot on a gopher gun as i prefer a fine duplex reticle in a scope with lots of magnification.

x2 ^^

[bobtodrick]

Red dots are meant for quick target acquisition.
Snap shooting at game...or in military usage, 'bad guys'.
Not meant for precision shooting.
Shooting a gopher at 100yds would definitely classify as 'precision' shooting.
I've got a red dot on a Mossberg 715, a platform very similar to your Ruger.
At 50 yards, off bags it shoots two to three inch groups.
At 50yds plus you'll miss way more gophers than you hit.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by Off in the Bushes

Thanks for all the clarification on the MOA, I think that I will still look for a Red Dot for the this particular 22.

I have an older Bushnell Holosight with a 1moa dot (no, not selling) ... They are a bit "clunky". but the small dot would be certainly best for gophers. Most red dots do not have any magnification which makes them parallax free, but of course also makes longer shots more challenging.
I tested a 2moa dot on a half minute hunting rifle and averaged 1.25" for 15 (5 shot) groups at 100M...so I know they can give decent results with an appropriate sized target.