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Making the Right Scope Adjustment for Precise Shots
In the world of precision shooting, accuracy at extended distances requires more than just a precision rifle. You must also know and understand the right scope adjustment for your rifle. Whether you're ringing steel at 1,000 yards or preparing for a long shot on a trophy elk, your ability to dial your optic correctly is a critical skill for making effective hits on your target.
In this guide, we’ll walk through essential terminology, explain how various factors influence scope adjustments, and show why mastering this skill is so important for both competitive shooters and hunters alike.
Why the Right Scope Adjustment Matters
When you’re shooting past 300 yards, gravity, wind, and environmental conditions all start to play a major role in your bullet's flight. While you can use holdovers, having a scope that is capable of dialing adjustments on the fly and knowing how to make those adjustments can help you shoot more accurately.
Making an accurate scope adjustment allows you to precisely correct for bullet drop, wind drift, elevation changes, and shot angles. You’ll rarely find yourself making a perfect, flat shot when hunting or shooting competitively, so knowing these adjustments is as essential as knowing the basic functions of your rifle.
Key Long-Range Shooting Terms You Need to Know
Before diving deeper into making the right scope adjustment, it’s important to understand the language of long-range shooting. Here are some fundamental terms every shooter should know:
D.O.P.E. (Data On Previous Engagements)
When you’re shooting long-range, it’s always good to have prior information to rely on. Creating a D.O.P.E. card and keeping it with your rifle helps you reference data you have collected over time to make quick adjustments. Every time you go to the range to practice your long-range shooting, take notes on your rifle’s performance to record for your D.O.P.E. card to use later.
Windage
Windage is the horizontal adjustments that you can make within your scope to account for wind drift. It may not matter much at shorter distances or during light winds, but its role is magnified in harsh conditions and at longer ranges. Understanding the impact that wind has on your bullet and how to correct it is necessary for hitting your target reliably.
Elevation
Elevation accounts for the vertical drop in a bullet’s path when shooting. It’s the most common adjustment you’ll make when shooting at longer ranges. Most shooters can use holdovers for slight elevation changes at closer ranges, but knowing how to properly dial elevation when shooting long range will take your skills to the next level.
Ballistic Coefficient (BC)
The ballistic coefficient is a measure of a bullet’s ability to overcome air resistance. A bullet with a higher BC number will generally perform better at longer ranges, since it will cut through the air better with less wind drift and less drop in elevation. You can input the BC of the bullet you are shooting with a ballistic calculator to get more accurate data to use when dialing your long-range scope adjustments.
Muzzle Velocity
Muzzle velocity measures the speed of the bullet as it leaves the barrel. This measurement is important for calculating the elevation drop in a bullet, and an inconsistent muzzle velocity can leave you guessing on how fast your bullet is dropping. Most ammunition boxes will come with the tested muzzle velocity printed on them, but you can also use tools like a chronograph to measure muzzle velocity out of your particular rifle. 
The Impact of Equipment on Long-Range Scope Adjustments
Confidence in your equipment is important for making accurate long-range scope adjustments. That confidence starts in knowing what your equipment does and where to use different pieces of equipment.
MOA vs. MIL Scopes
Scopes typically use either MOA (minutes of angle) or MIL (milliradians) increments for adjustments. Both are widely used, but here is a quick overview of each system.
MOA Scopes:
Inch-based measurements
1 MOA ≈ 1.047 inches at 100 yards.
Scope adjustments are often in ¼ MOA per click increments.
Preferred by most recreational shooters and hunters for its standard terminology and ease of understanding..
MIL Scopes:
Metric-based measurements
1 MIL = 10 centimeters at 100 meters (~3.6 inches at 100 yards).
Adjustments are often in 0.1 MIL per click increments
Popular among former military and law enforcement shooters who were trained on MIL scope systems, as well as competitive shooters.
Both systems work effectively, and determining which one to use is ultimately up to personal preference. Once you pick a system you like, continue to use it and stick to it! Make sure that your calculations also match the system you are using to avoid confusion and wasted time.
20 MOA vs. 0 MOA Scope Bases
As long-range shooting competitions have become more popular, picatinny rail manufacturers have begun making rails catered towards shooters who need more adjustment in their scope, leading to multiple types of MOA scope bases.
0 MOA Base
The 0 MOA base is a traditional Picatinny rail used for attaching optics. It is a flat, level base that is effective for both medium and long-range shooting applications. Where 0 MOA bases can fall short is in extreme long-range shooting, where shooters need large amounts of vertical elevation scope adjustment to accurately hit targets.
20 MOA Base
The 20 MOA base was developed for extreme long-range shooters who need more scope adjustment. The base has a slight downward angle towards the barrel, which provides long-range shooters with more elevation adjustment within their scope. These bases are best used for long-range shooting, and not close or mid-range shooting.If you're running out of turret travel and adjustments while shooting at longer distances, a 20 MOA base can provide the extra room you need to stay on target.
Dialing In Long-Range Scope Adjustments
When the time of the shot comes and you need to make a scope adjustment, there are multiple tools that you can use to gather data and dial in your shot with confidence and precision.
Ballistic calculator: Having a ballistic calculator with your ammunition and rifle information dialed and ready to go can help you make a quick, accurate adjustment. All you need is the distance to your target.
Rangefinder: Having a rangefinder is non-negotiable for making accurate long-range shots. They provide near instant feedback of your target’s distance for dialing in your scope adjustment.
Weather meter: A weather meter is a device that provides a readout of environmental factors like wind speed and relative humidity, helping you make precise adjustments.
Custom turrets: While not a necessary addition, some manufacturers can provide custom scope turrets that are dialed to your specific rifle and ammunition load, helping to ensure accurate adjustments.
Making the Scope Adjustment
So, with all of the information and gear outlined, how do you dial in your scope adjustment? It’s a relatively simple process once you get the hang of it!
Find the range of your target with a rangefinder, or use your scope reticle if it has range-finding capabilities.
Measure other environmental factors with your weather meter, or use a weather app for the approximate windspeed at your location.
Input the distance and other information into your ballistic calculator, and consult your D.O.P.E. card for previous observations.
Dial your scope adjustment based on your ballistic calculator and/or D.O.P.E. information.
Squeeze the trigger and observe your shot for any further corrections.
Why Long-Range Scope Adjustments Matter in Hunting and Competition
Hunting Applications
In the field, long shots are sometimes necessary—especially when hunting in open country or mountainous terrain. Knowing how to make an accurate scope adjustment can mean the difference between a clean, ethical harvest and a missed opportunity.
A solid D.O.P.E. card allows for fast decisions under pressure.
Wind adjustments become critical in wide-open spaces.
Confidence in your adjustments leads to cleaner, more humane shots.
Competition Shooting
Precision rifle competitions are built around challenging distances, tight time constraints, and unpredictable conditions.
Accurate dialing is essential to staying on target in multi-stage events.
Shooting from unconventional positions requires knowing your zero and elevation offsets.
Fast turret work and familiarity with your scope system give you a competitive edge.
Whether for meat or medals, knowing how to dial your scope properly makes you a more capable shooter.
Long-range shooting is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. Success depends on your ability to gather data, understand the tools you’re using, and apply that knowledge through making the correct scope adjustment. From understanding windage and ballistic coefficients to choosing between MOA and MIL systems, every small detail adds up to greater accuracy and consistency.
With the right setup—such as a 20 MOA rail, matched turrets and reticles, and a well-maintained D.O.P.E. card—you’ll have the tools and knowledge you need to shoot confidently at long range. And whether you’re calling shots in a PRS match or lining up a trophy elk on the next ridge, that confidence makes all the difference.
