Leupold CDS
- Thread starter Redmt
- Start date
Hams42
Well-known member
I had tried the turret tags. But I think that regardless of the sticker it's not going to work with the Gen 1 Viper that I have. Just to way the turret is set up scrapes them off.
rookieforever33
Member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2026
- Messages
- 17
When I had my CDS dial cut the yardages were very close for multiple loads at multiple elevations out to 500 yards. As in within an inch or so. Not perfect for precision but works quick. If it isnt I can just pop the standard one back on. Easy to grow beyond it if you learn how to use a ballistic app. But it is basically already paid for so you may as well cash it in if you bought the scope.
Hammsolo
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 16, 2020
- Messages
- 2,784
I’ve never used those ones.
elkhunter340
Member
I enjoy reloading for my 300 win and enjoyed working up the information Leupold needed to make the dial out to 400 yds I know it's accurate thats as far as I've shot and I do use a range finder with or without this scope it's free for the first why not
Firehawk54
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2014
- Messages
- 127
I have a yardage turret for my VX3HD on my Kimber Montana in .325 WSM. The CDS has been extremely reliable for me. I developed my own handload for the rifle, and so I had all the vitals that went into designing the turret. I used a general elevation due to the fact that I live at just shy of 5000' and hunt primarily in 8-9000' in elevation. I calculated the differences and they are real, but really minor at the distances I will hunt at. I used 6800' for my turret to "split" the differences and it has worked really well so far.
I have an MOA turret from Kenton on my Zeiss scope on my 7mm Rem. It is very good, but I have to use a dope chart for that one. Having the yardage saves at least one step.
I have used the standard MOA turret on another VX3 scope that rests on my Kimber Montana in 7mm-08. I am still playing with loads, so I haven't sent for the yardage turret yet. With that said, it is extremely accurate with the MOA turret if my dope chart is set up correctly. Has worked with no issue so far. But as mentioned above, adds another variable to the "process" of shooting.
But I used Burris Ballistic Plex reticles a lot years ago. They are the classic "hold over" style of reticle. Worked really well....until I forgot to make sure my son had changed the magnification on his scope to full power when he shot at a VERY nice mule deer buck at age 14. Shot right over that nice buck and never got another chance. He still blames it on me. Lol. He is now a sniper in the Army National Guard and for SWAT, so I figure he knows way more than me now and has alot more experience shooting at things. But I have way more experience shooting at animals than him. Glad I don't have his type of experience though. But that experience has taught him a lot about dialing correctly and knowing his equipment extremely well.
I have an MOA turret from Kenton on my Zeiss scope on my 7mm Rem. It is very good, but I have to use a dope chart for that one. Having the yardage saves at least one step.
I have used the standard MOA turret on another VX3 scope that rests on my Kimber Montana in 7mm-08. I am still playing with loads, so I haven't sent for the yardage turret yet. With that said, it is extremely accurate with the MOA turret if my dope chart is set up correctly. Has worked with no issue so far. But as mentioned above, adds another variable to the "process" of shooting.
But I used Burris Ballistic Plex reticles a lot years ago. They are the classic "hold over" style of reticle. Worked really well....until I forgot to make sure my son had changed the magnification on his scope to full power when he shot at a VERY nice mule deer buck at age 14. Shot right over that nice buck and never got another chance. He still blames it on me. Lol. He is now a sniper in the Army National Guard and for SWAT, so I figure he knows way more than me now and has alot more experience shooting at things. But I have way more experience shooting at animals than him. Glad I don't have his type of experience though. But that experience has taught him a lot about dialing correctly and knowing his equipment extremely well.
BobT1105
Active member
I have become a recent convert to the CDS dial and I’m a big fan. I have one on my 2.5-8 on a .308. I have yet to take it out to maximum range but so far it’s been spot on. I did take care to make sure all the data I provided Leupold was accurate.
buffybr
Well-known member
I have Leupold CDS scopes on 6 of my rifles including my Rem 541-T .22 RF. Several are VX3s and 2 are VX Freedoms. I also have a Leupold VX3 with their B&C reticle on my .257 Ackley.
I've only had a custom dial made for my .300 Wby. It aslo has a 200 yd stop so for most of my hunting with it, a quick shot at any big game animal out to 300 yds doesn't require any scope adjustment.
I used this rifle and scope on my Dagestan Tur hunt in Azerbaijan a few years ago. We lasered my ram at 327 yards, I dialed my scope to that distance, and when he quit rolling down the slope and we got to him, my bullet had hit exacely where I had aimed.
With any sights, you need to know the accurate distance to your target. For years I've carried a laser rangfinder along with my binoculars. A couple of years ago I bought a pair of Vortex 10x42 Ranger HD 3000 binoculars that have a built in rangefinder. These are 3 ounces lighter than the combination of my Nikon 10x42 binoculars and separate Bushnell range finder and they eliminate the extra step of binoculars and rangefinder.
With all of my scopes, I range verify the zero impacts at 100, 200, 300, and 400 yards. Then, on the top of the scope dial cap, I paint a white dot at the 100 yd impact, and small white lines at the 2, 3, and 400 yd impacts. These allow for quick and easy adjustments to those distances.
I practice almost every week at our range with 2 of these rifles shooting prone at steel gongs at 2, 3, and 400 yds. Just dial and hit. It's almost too easy.
I've only had a custom dial made for my .300 Wby. It aslo has a 200 yd stop so for most of my hunting with it, a quick shot at any big game animal out to 300 yds doesn't require any scope adjustment.
I used this rifle and scope on my Dagestan Tur hunt in Azerbaijan a few years ago. We lasered my ram at 327 yards, I dialed my scope to that distance, and when he quit rolling down the slope and we got to him, my bullet had hit exacely where I had aimed.
With any sights, you need to know the accurate distance to your target. For years I've carried a laser rangfinder along with my binoculars. A couple of years ago I bought a pair of Vortex 10x42 Ranger HD 3000 binoculars that have a built in rangefinder. These are 3 ounces lighter than the combination of my Nikon 10x42 binoculars and separate Bushnell range finder and they eliminate the extra step of binoculars and rangefinder.
With all of my scopes, I range verify the zero impacts at 100, 200, 300, and 400 yards. Then, on the top of the scope dial cap, I paint a white dot at the 100 yd impact, and small white lines at the 2, 3, and 400 yd impacts. These allow for quick and easy adjustments to those distances.
I practice almost every week at our range with 2 of these rifles shooting prone at steel gongs at 2, 3, and 400 yds. Just dial and hit. It's almost too easy.
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