20 MOA vs 40 MOA base

**tostado22** · 02-17-12, 12:36

Im looking for opinions on a 20 MOA base vs a 40 MOA base on a .300 WM. The reason I am asking is I ordered a NF 20 MOA base from Brownells and they sent the wrong one. I would just send it back but my optics will be in today as well and I was planning on having it out at the range this weekend. What I'm concerned about is it being overkill or if the .300 WM will be able to use all 40. My only long range experience is with commercial .308 and M118LR so I'm trying to figure how the .300 WM will compare with that base. The ranges I will be at will be anywhere from 600m to 1000m.

I appreciate any help. Thanks

**BBJones13** · 02-17-12, 14:20

You do not need a 40MOA base. Depending on what scope you are running 40 MOA base may mean you cannot zero at 100 yards/meters. What is the max range you plan on shooting? What scope do you have?

20MOA is the standard choice.

**The Surgeon** · 02-17-12, 14:38

The rifle will be extremely, if not impossible, to zero at closer ranges with a 40 MOA. Also, if this does not bother you, since you are going to be shooting at long ranges let me pose this to you. If you ever have a target at a shorter distance than your zero, you will have difficulty dialing back enough to hit the target. That is depending on how close the target is to you.

Unless you are running Hendsolt, USO, or S&B I would send it back. Then I am not sure these high end scopes have enough internal adjustment for a 40 MOA on a 300.

**tostado22** · 02-17-12, 15:26

Right now I have a Weaver tactical 3-15x50 to go on it. I had originally ordered the 20 MOA so Ill just call and see about exchanging it. Close ranges were my main concern with the 40 MOA. I won't normally be shooting any close distance but I will be using a 100m range for load testing once I get my dies. Thanks for the help

**BBJones13** · 02-17-12, 15:40

Weaver tactical has 100MOA of adjustment, so you might get by with a 40MOA base. I wouldn't recommend it, but it might work. I would just exchange it and get a 20MOA.

With that scope and a 20MOA base you should be able to go very far before running out of adjustment (1600ish yards). You will be transonic before you run out of adjustment.

**tostado22** · 02-17-12, 15:57

E-mail sent to Brownells regarding the return. I know with .308/7.62 I never needed more than a 20 MOA base so I knew I wouldn't necessarily need the 40, and it wouldn't help at all with 100m load testing. Thanks again for the info. Hopefully this gets fixed soon and I can post up some results. Its a Rem 700 Sendero .300 WM. Beautiful rifle and seems like it will be a shooter. Just need to get the base, get some dies and I'll be set

**lifebreath** · 02-23-12, 13:54

I chose 40 MOA (20 on the rail and 20 on the mount) on my .308 with a Hensoldt 3-12 in order to bottom the elevation out just a little past my 100m zero. Since the Hensoldt doesn't have a zero stop, this creates a "pseuso zero stop." The Hensoldt has about about 30 mil (102 MOA) total travel, so the 40 MOA puts my 100 yard zero a little less then 3 mils short of the elevation adjustment bottom, or about 1/4 turn.

Plus, I can effect prairie dog head shots at over 1500m rather than 1300m ...

**ICANHITHIMMAN** · 02-23-12, 17:57

Originally Posted by lifebreath

I chose 40 MOA (20 on the rail and 20 on the mount) on my .308 with a Hensoldt 3-12 in order to bottom the elevation out just a little past my 100m zero. Since the Hensoldt doesn't have a zero stop, this creates a "pseuso zero stop." The Hensoldt has about about 30 mil (102 MOA) total travel, so the 40 MOA puts my 100 yard zero a little less then 3 mils short of the elevation adjustment bottom, or about 1/4 turn.

Plus, I can effect prairie dog head shots at over 1500m rather than 1300m ...

hows that feel on your neck dude?