Understanding Mils (Milliradians) | Long-Range Rifle Shooting with Ryan Cleckner

NSSF's Ryan Cleckner explains the measurement term "milliradian" (mil) and how to use a mil-dot scope to measure the distance to your target at the range and in the field.
Looking for more long range shooting instruction? Ryan Cleckner’s book, Long Range Shooting Handbook, is the complete beginner's guide to long range shooting written in simple every-day language so that it's easy to follow. Included are personal tips and best advice from his years of special operations sniper schooling and experience, and as a sniper instructor. If you are an experienced shooter, this guide will be a resource covering the principles and theory of long range shooting. Find it on Amazon.com: amzn.com/151865...
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[@DusanPavlicek78]

I'm watching this 11 years later, in 2022 and I'm loving it. Really great explanation with nice examples!

[@bokchow2594]

get his book, long range shooting handbook. best $25 buck you can spend.

[@DusanPavlicek78]

@@bokchow2594 Thanks for the tip 👍🙂

[@samhouston5217]

This guy reminds me of classes in the military. where they start REALLY SIMPLE then move and move until you are having a pretty high level discussion/lecture.

[@edvanek8572]

I love this guy. He makes this confusing bullshit so simple and easy to understand. Please keep these coming!

[@mikemc330]

Great job Ryan!

[@rockicesnow]

Thanks. Informative and understandable!

[@MemoryLaneCinema]

just buy a scope witht a lazer :)

[@ipanzerschrecku4732]

he's actually making it more confusing and mixing up mils and moa.

[@marlboroman71818]

@@ipanzerschrecku4732 not really. range with mils or moa and if you need to convert. 1mil~3.5moa = 3.5moa~1mil

[@ianbutler1983]

Very refreshing, a person on youtube who knows what he is talking about. A rare commodity. Thanks for your efforts.

[@johnlshilling1446]

LOL! You wouldn't be insulting all of the KZbin "Experts", would you? 😉 There's a lot of them... You're outnumbered... Soooo... Be careful..!

[@CWO3-uscg]

Ryan Cleckner is a rare find and a true Gem. Simple and easy to follow along. Unlike some on KZbin that just ramble on and on, as self professed experts. Many of which leave you scratching your head asking WHAT? True pro thank you. CWO retired USCG

[@TimKollat]

This was my first saved "favorites" videos 8 years ago and I keep going back to this and his MOA video to brush up when I havent shot for a while. Please dont ever delete these!

[@DenverLoveless]

Download it to your device. Put ss before the y in the address bar of the video you're watching. Like this www.sskzbin.info/www/bejne/iWakeKZ-iK6mjNE Then look for it in small print and choose "download in browser." It's free. Choose the size you want MP4 740 or MP4 360. It will open a new window playing the video. Click the dots and choose download.

[@pialiamail]

[Target Size in Centimeters ÷ Image Size Measured in Mils in Reticle x 10 = Distance in Meters] is a great formula for fellow euros out there using the metric system. Example: 180cm(average human male height) / 2(mils that is seen in scope) x 10 = 900 meters. If you want to make it complicated, here's a few more formulas for inches/yards: Target Size in Inches ÷ Image Size Measured in Mils in Reticle x 27.77 = Distance in Yards Target Size in Inches ÷ Image Size Measured in Mils in Reticle x 25.4 = Distance in Meters Target Size in Centimeters ÷ Image Size Measured in Mils in Reticle x 10.93 = Distance in Yards

[@rigsbyL1]

+pialiamail oh thank you ! Ive been trying to get my head round these exact calculations these past days !!! :)

[@TheAnytony]

Hmmmm... jagar du människor ofta? 😅

[@dannycoker6439]

Pia Nordquist Pia Thanks for making me feel dumber than I already am,there’s no way in the world I could do something with that?maybe someone else can thanks for trying

[@magnusqwerty]

Kära Pia. Mannen har ingen kunskap i matematik. Han härmar något han inte förstår.

[@kirbyspencer538]

@@dannycoker6439 What she is saying is that the calculations will all get much easier if you learn to estimate distances/sizes in metric instead of imperial. Any time you hear or say inches, feet, yards, furlongs, chains, or rods something is dead wrong - do it over in metric. You'll thank yourself. Even our po-dunk shooting range here in the sticks is measured out in meters, no yard markers anywhere - don't convert that, use it.

[@dawnsmith2652]

Using my Khales ZF95 10x42 millradian scope, I walked our valley and checked known target heights and ranges, then noted my mils for each target and wrote these in my data book. I wanted to do this exercise to see how your formula worked, so when I got back home i ran the numbers through my calculator and using your inches x 27.77 divided by mils calculated each target and I can see just how accurate this formula is as each target converted to yards and all were correct. I will now have this this formula written down in my data book and will use it from now on. I watch a number of videos on KZbin and whilst many leave me in despair for lack of information, your video did exactly what it said on the tin.

[@kti5682]

Pretty cool to hear. I heard in school that you can only use multiplication when angles are small relative to distance, which we have here no doubt. But still thanks for the confirmation that it works.

[@richardofoz2167]

Good luck with your data book when you're out in the field and it's raining and your fingers are frozen.

[@jonesman71]

this is amazing . everything right on, i wrote this down and with out any prior scope training went out and zero my scope and calculated distances and figured out how to raise and lower the scope to hit dead on

[@charlesbowman8125]

Watching this guy explain math makes me understand it. Wish my math teachers in school could of made math this fun and easy to understand.

[@Zegger]

Isn't it funny that someone that makes a video for youtube does the job of explaining far better than someone you're in person and can even ask questions directly to?

[@emonheidari4301]

@@Zegger r

[@davegriffiths2256]

Military instructors make sure you learn because it can equate to life on the battlefield, majority of teachers at school don’t give a damn if you pass or not.

[@davidayarra3129]

because math teachers dont teach you how to solve math problems they teach you how to pass math tests sadly

[@blakeryan9155]

Passion can make you a better student too

[@MK-xb4ws]

Are we just going to ignore that perfect circle he drew?

[@markbelden6919]

No joke!!!

[@mattmichael283]

@@1lostinspace wrong

[@esolo114]

@@1lostinspace arent doctors supposed to be smart? 😂

[@1lostinspace]

@@esolo114 You guys are arguing basic math that is taught through every sniper school 1 mrad is 3.438” that’s a fact you idiots look it up

[@esolo114]

@@1lostinspace No dumbshit, nobody is arguing what an MRAD is. Seeing as how you have reading comprehension issues let me explain. You said his calculations are off. He said he is rounding to simplify his calculations, and he even acknowledges this. Do you know what rounding a number is? Because that's grade school math. Go back to elementary school doc.

[@freddefelice1419]

When I first started to get into this I would get so pissed off I would say the hell with it, then I'd go back to figure it out again and I would think to my self that I stayed away just long enough to forget why I left the first time and then you came along and it all started to make sense. Mr Cleckner your a genius and a special kind of instructor. Thanks so much for making my love of this sport so much more enjoyable. I can't thank you enough. I grew up using a M14 when I was just 17 years old I joined the Marines and as long as we could shoot out to 500 yards and become a sharpshooter it was all we could ask for. Now I looking down range to 1000 yards and I even suprise myself sometimes.

[@murphnturph2664]

This video was made when I was in 9th grade and it's STILL the single best explanation for milliradians anywhere on the Internet. Thanks.

[@davedavenport8176]

Having used mathematics in my daily job and although I was really close in my head with calculating that 319 yards his reference stat sheet to keep in your gear is an absolute must. Especially when you are dragging butt and a bit tired math may not be on your side at that time. Ryan is an excellent instructor! I wish I could go to some of his classes

[@traceyevans2757]

Lol not a DM

[@ToadleyBrowne]

That is pure gold you are giving out. Great video.

[@vincenzoaudittori1490]

Pure pure gold

[@truprophet9315]

He makes it a lot easier to understand than some other video's I've seen

[@JimFleming1953]

Good job, Ryan, I've seen this particular video at least 6 times and I learn something everytime. Thank you NSSF and Ryan!

[@RyanCleckner]

Jim Fleming Thanks, Jim.

[@billrebey3884]

I've seen and read dozens of videos and articles on MRAD/mil utilization for range calculation and how to translate sight picture into meaningful numbers, and this is by leaps and bounds the best I've seen. I walked away with the simple phrase "known times 1000 over observed = range"..."known" being the known (or best-guessed) target height, and "observed" being the Mil-height observed in the sight picture. Awesome job of explaining a seemingly complicated concept. Thanks for the insight and very practical examples!

[@Ramn8tr]

Thank you for taking the voodoo out of range estimation with mil dots. I got 8 pages of notes from your video and plan to implement them soon. Great work, really simple explanations, and very good quality video and instruction from Ryan Cleckner. The most informative 21 minutes I've had in a long time, Sir. Thanks again!

[@wayfordcox8081]

I would love to spend a day or two on the range with this guy , I could learn a lot from this guy

[@ctcollinthib]

Thank you! I've been putting off learning this stuff because it can get pretty confusing. Nice to have a real authority break it down for a layman.

[@SnowBroProductions]

I never thought trigonometry was going to pay of in my personal life!

[@visamedic]

Yeah, huh. I told my math teacher “I’ll NEVER use this shit in real life”. Now, I’m a medic and have do math for my drip rates and drug dose conversions, and being a shooter, and always trying to improve, I need it apparently. Sorry Mr Stevens. That’s as close as you get to a formal apology 🤓😁

[@ladykd2355]

Maybe if they had taught it in this context back then, we would've cared more! Lol

[@ItchesIt]

Triggernometry... Haha

[@blixxy1320]

@@ItchesIt i see what you did there

[@cameronjordan1516]

My math teacher was right and that bothers me on a personal level

[@edspencer7121]

This information will help me out greatly. I've always went on gut instinct, experience, and good old Kentucky windage. Rarely have I ever missed out to 600 yards. With this tutorial I am confident my skills will be ever keener.

[@brandonleepotter]

Great Video!! Thanks for the instruction!! Half of these calculations you can get rid of however if you just use a scope that has target knobs that match the reticle.. Mil Reticle/Mil Knobs... Moa Reticle/Moa knobs.. That will alleviate all the conversions. Mil/Mil for the win! Keep it up NSSF!

[@evonpaige8873]

Thanks Ryan, Making this Long range shooting video for this dummie. You are clear and concise with your explanations. You are the first in 4 years to be able to brighten this dim light on proper target acquisition with a scope using MOA and MILS. SUBSCRIBED!

[@SergeLetunovskiy]

Amazing amount of knowledge stored in that man's head! Good job 'splainin' it too... Thank you Ryan!!!

[@jcaldwell96]

The explanation of the relationship of mils and MOA helped me understand so much.

[@tonyb0164]

Mils are are also used in field artillery. Its been decades but from what I recall, the XO would "lay" each gun individually with an optic similar to a surveyors tool and the optic mounted on the gun. Once you had "zero mils" the gun was "laid." Each gun was laid individually and then the whole battery (six guns, USMC battery) would be played as one.

[@Tam-km9ro]

This is correct

[@yourmommashouse]

Yes. I was a FA13S. Surveyor for field artillery. Our job is to create a common grid for call for fire.

[@yourmommashouse]

Now we have something called IPADs. lol not those kind. It’s a box the size of small trunk and is an Improved Positioning Azimuth Determining system along with Theodolites. We just drive our humvee from a known point other designated points and viola. The system knows where everyone is based on trigonometry.

[@PreparingForSHTF]

Thanks for making this so simple. I understand a lot more now about ranging with mils.

[@milspecdriving8253]

Your videos are excellent. Thanks for dumbing it down.

[@alexbrant8375]

imperial is more precise than metric though.. I don't use metric even though in Canada we all do

[@curtishill3805]

This is by far the clearest I’ve ever heard this explained. He explains this to where it makes absolute sense and anyone could understand it. Let’s go shoot!

[@RX7FDfreak]

I watch this video anytime I need a refresh. Thanks

[@jobsjobbed5125]

Absolutely superb. I’m just doing my licence in the UK and this has dispelled some of the ‘voodoo’ of mils and MOA. Thanks!

[@DoctorFill]

Andrew: Many scopes have turrets that are only used for sighting in and then left alone but even with proper turrets there are uses for mildots. 1) Rangefinding (provided that you know the size of your target) 2) Quick but accurate adjustment for wind or distance. Especially in dynamic conditions. 3) Accurate spotting of your hits (or misses rather)

[@Ronin____5000]

"Gallantly will i show the world that i'm a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow." He does this well here. Thank you for this video. Thank you.

[@TheMerlinmk19]

Watched this ages ago - this reaffirmed my understanding and Ryams demonstrations are well thought out - he is an excellent orator and presenter. Well done.

[@robertqueberg4612]

Hello, I have never understood the radian concept in a useful manner until I watched your video. Your explanations do make sense. I started shooting woodchucks on our farm and several neighbor’s as well, a little over sixty years ago. I started to practice and test my internal range finder, as you suggested here. First test your stride length against a tape measure etc. Then as I was walking to a place to shoot, I would spot a tree or fence post, guess the range, and step off the distance to check the optical ability, until I learned what distances looked like. As you stated, “Distance does matter.” Another thing in reference to your comment about cheat sheets. I have used blank business cards for references that are not left behind, or in another bag. After the notes are filled in, I “laminate” the data card with clear packing tape, front and back. I carry one with the too many meds. that I take, and contact info. In an emergency situation. Again, a thank you for a common sense program.

[@grahameberesford5714]

This is awesome. I actually learned the very, very basics from another sniper instructor about 12 years ago, and the way he sort of dumbed it down for me was that the crosshairs were zeroed at 200m. He had me aim at a 400m target and said the first dot below the crosshairs was equivalent to about 400m, the second dot 600m, and so on. He had me hitting steel targets out to 800m, and for each round I fired I was rewarded with that satisfying "ping!" from the hit. BUT, I realize that was basically like him giving me the answers rather than showing me how to come up with the answers on my own (and I get why, because how do you cram a class on MOA and mils when you only have about 15 minutes?). I didn't really understand how to do the math in my head, especially as far as calculating distance. This is where I'm grateful to Ryan for making the math part of it more accessible.

[@scottcomo5793]

Terrific video; a family member just purchased a 3x15 scope for the first time and I was thinking about mil dots, ranging, etc. This was an enjoyable exercise. Thanks for the time it took to make it.

[@hendrikcombrink1]

Ek verstaan die storie nou vir die eerste keer...baie dankie

[@jwdickinson643]

I watched both the MOA video and this one...outstanding! It made everything about which I was confused simple , easy to understand and just plain logical. PS...Thank you for your service, Sir.

[@Shadowcon1]

This is by far the best informational video for explaining how to range find using a mil dot scope

[@davidjohn4398]

Thank you very much for being an amazing teacher, I am a novice long range shooter who now feels much better equipped to start my new hobby!

[@heknows6051]

You are very welcome

[@orkadian4173]

The best and easiest to understand sighting vid I have seen yet. Thanks!

[@barthege7127]

Second time I watched this video and I picked up even more pointers. Great job NSSF and Ryan!

[@WichitayardbarberLawncare]

These videos have been extremely useful for me as a total newbie to using a scoped rifle. Very easy to understand, on a subject that seemed quite intimidating at first.

[@eyesintheskies]

I had to play it half speed to keep up!!!

[@jeremiahgazsi8579]

Ryan you are a GREAT teacher! Thank you for making this simple concise and easy!

[@leviathantheirishman580]

This gentleman is very knowledgeable and basic in his language so anyone can understand ! It wonderful to find people trying to help and not just show off.

[@johnmc-jmoproductions1270]

I absolutely love this video. Incredible explanation of MRAD. Exactly what I needed!! Thank you!

[@jaba430]

Ryan…..you are a champion educator. As an engineer and one who's life is accounting as well……I like maths. You apply and teach brilliantly. I hope you get to read this. Thank you for your service Sir…from an Aussie.

[@RyanCleckner]

jaba430 Thank you. I think I'm about to start my own channel with similar videos. I hope you find them useful also.

[@TheAnytony]

Not sure how american foreign interventions helps you but great video

[@Art_of_Steel]

Best video explaining the MoA & Mil! Big thank you!

[@vieuxacadian9455]

Agreed ! 3.5 minutes to a mil in a practical sense . A long time ago a Mark 4 scope with moa dials and mil dot reticle taught Me to to this . thanks Sir .

[@aberhan]

Best explanation of milliradian to date.

[@-sussusamogus-7013]

i never thought anyone can explain math so clearly like you do. you're amazing at this.

[@AlabamaPilgrim333]

This series is great. Ryan is great. Thanks for posting.

[@DaylonSmith]

It’s obvious this guy’s taught a lot of new shooter. Thank you for making these concepts graspable.

[@charlesludwig9173]

This is the most professional instruction on this topic, author understands the subject and knows how to teach it. 27.78 can be used instead of 27.77 but may be moot.

[@1959jimbob]

Dang a rabbit man, I just stumbled onto Ryan's vids here by searching for how to zero an SKS LOL. He IS the best shooting instructor I have ever seen. Even with decades of experience and even teaching, I was able to learn from him. I don't know if he is still with NSSF or not and if not, then NSSF really screwed the pooch by letting him get away.

[@Truther41God]

Excellent presentations and explanations!

[@DJC328]

This series of videos is the most informative that I have ever watched, period. Thank you for taking the time to explain this in Lehman's terms. This info is going to be extremely helpful for coyote hunting this year :)

[@ThisTall]

This was VERY clear and palatable.

[@fourtwentytexas]

Mils vs MOA is starting to get more advanced. These are great videos.

[@brittrhea7688]

i didnt like this guy at first, but i was wrong. very useful material and he explains things very well

[@toosorry2care]

Britt Rhea- May I ask, what was it that you did not like? He seemed very professional, clear and provide a great amount of information.

[@brittrhea7688]

Michael McCombs honestly at first glance I got the impression that he was a hack because he has kind of a Midway salesman demeanor. but as I said my first impression was erroneous completely and I found all of his videos very informative

[@brittrhea7688]

Michael McCombs honestly at first glance I got the impression that he was a hack because he has kind of a Midway salesman demeanor. but as I said my first impression was erroneous completely and I found all of his videos very informative

[@toosorry2care]

Cool...

[@MrRambo420x]

as before a learned more in the first minutes than I did with all other videos combined. this is now my go to channel for questions. thank you sir

[@ZeroBoostBuick]

Thank you Ryan for making all these awesome videos... you're a great teacher and your videos helped me so much I can't even begin to describe it.

[@nigelappleton2963]

Well presented, easy to understand and very informative. Thank you.

[@charliemills1337]

Amazing series of video, I have always attempted to pick up some of this knowledge in passing from those who have attended sniper school, this video really helped! Thanks for you post

[@LightningHits2x]

I've watched multiple videos on mils from guys like tibrosaurous and snipers hide. This is hands down the best.

[@steelshepherd6843]

NSSF and Ryan deserve so many more views and likes. Their "Where to shoot" website is also nice.

[@269sjb]

Hands down the best video on the subject on the internet! Outstanding.

[@terryduffield5860]

The Undisputed heavyweight Champion of perfect circle drawing...... Great class

[@rickhoward1516]

This guy makes it simple. So my father bought me a leupold tactical scope with mill dots a few years ago and I sighted it in on my 270 and was so confused because at 100 yards I wasn't at zero when dialed in and the math was confusing me. Now I found that you have to actually zero it in by taking the adjusting knobs off after you sight it in at whatever yardage, for me its 100, and put the knob taps back on with the dial at zero. Lmfao. Leupold had no mention of this in their manual. I'm now excited to go back out and get it zeroed in and start using it.

[@tombetterley1645]

New long range shooter here, thanks for the simple explanations. Learning MOA and MIL from your videos. I'm working with a Stagg Arms Stagg15 chambered in .224 Valkyrie and shooting Federal 90 gr sierra match king with a Vortex optics 6-24x50 Diamondback Tactical First focal plain optic set up for MOA with 1/4 MOA adjustments.

[@theviron6]

Ryan, you do such a great job of explaining this subject. I needed this simple break down years ago when down range.

[@jomboneable]

I have to thanks Ryan Cleckner for his outstanding teaching style!

[@ogretowman]

Ryan, thanks again for another well explained, informative video! You make the difficult easier to understand. Thank you

[@10hunterLab]

Best explanation of moa and mil I have ever heard. Sierra Hotel

[@Korruptor]

Brilliant information. Looking forward to the wind calculation video. Keep them coming.

[@jaikuu_]

Outstanding video. So many videos out there that explain how to use mil dots are hard to understand, but you made this really easy to understand the equations and how you got the numbers in the equations. Thanks for the hard work.

[@justaregularguy3827]

dude you just helped me understand my new athlon argos btr mil scope with the christmas tree reticule thank you so much

[@Commiefornia]

I've been reading that if you use yards to measure the target, or feet, or inches you should stay in that unit of measure for the distance. The formula for measuring in inches and getting yards for distance is gold!

[@OldHorse1000]

The best explanation for mil and ranging.

[@jamesstanley8774]

After many videos, I now understand. Thank you.

[@honvia]

Never watched a better youtube video....Thanks, all the way from Australia

[@MonteGould]

Ryan is brilliant and his teaching style is wonderful. Fantastic instructor

[@michaelroof1969]

wow, I would take this guy's class in a second. excellent instructor. Easy to listen to and follow. Thank you for sharing.

[@hardymon]

I know this is an old video, but my mind was just blown. Every other video associates mils with metric; when he explained mils = any unit x1000, that made the whole thing so much clearer and easier to use mentally

[@Codidicus]

Cleckner is a genius!

[@johnx9318]

Thumbs up after two minutes! Thanks for this video. Great information, well explained.

[@ckl5822]

Ryan is a very professional instructor. Great job.

[@MaxwellBenson80]

videos like this are the reason why KZbin is awesome! thank you for sharing your experience!

[@alfanumeric397]

I’m screwed, when I’m out of fingers and toes math class is over

[@oldlincolnpipewelder]

😂😂😂😂

[@stranga4365]

i have the bushnell 6500 tactical FFP on my 338 lapua. its mil-dot, 1/10 mil click and Front Focal Plane and i freaking love it. with all the components matching it makes the math so much easier and faster.

[@fredflintstome6532]

Very enjoyable video that broke it down simply and made it easy to understand. Very very good instruction.

[@jedediahhoffman7925]

Thank you for your service, and all you continue to do sir. Wonderful video. First time i walked away from a "conversation" about Mil's that i feel like the theory stuck.

[@simohayha5274]

You sir, are a genius. Somehow I understand all of this when you explain it even though it seems like ancient Greek when other people explain it. I suppose you have tons of experience with training people at this. Thanks (oh yeah, I never even used scopes in -39 when I was stacking people up).

[@pabloguitar6360]

I’ve watched this multiple times. A+

[@SheepHunter9780]

"I'm not gonna even TRY to draw the antalope" 🤣🤣🤣...... I dont know why I laughed So hard about that! Lol Great stuff tho! Thanks buddy

[@dan3510]

The best at explaining optics

[@davepayne1915]

Not a clue what Radians were about until I watched this! So simple. Thanks Ryan. I now understand my scope :-)