Thread: Leupold cds pros and cons

I have it on my 308, on a vx3i. I set it up using 165gr hornady SF factory. On getting it back i discovered it worked quite well but was shooting a little high.
Maybe we used a cheap chron and got the speed slightly wrong but a simple adjustment (dialed it down 50m) it was shooting ok. Never really used it at long range thou.
Not that long ago i changed to 165gr Fed fusions, POI was nearly the same , only difference was it shot just a little lower which i was thinking put the CDS spot on.

Just recently went to the range with PENGY and after making sure it was still sighted good at 100 i tried the CDS at some gongs at 436m (477 yards).
Dialed it in at 450m and hit the bigger gong 2 out of 2 and tried the smaller gong and another direct hit.
No doubt the cds was great, hit spot on and dialed easy.

Did suit the Fed fuisions better but i did think the chron we used with the Hornady was abit out .
Still, with the hornady 165 if you were shooting at 300m you dialed it 50m down to 250m and it was good.
Now with the Feds it works pretty good at distance, quick and easy so im a fan.

I requested a zero stop and they put it on for me free of charge when i sent my CDS away when they set it up.

I have used it bush stalking mostly and thur some thick crap, had no problem of bumping the CDS dials out.

So i would consider it if you want to set it up for one round for longer range, works great.
I got my one set in metres, and use the range finder in metres as well. many prefer yards but it works for me

Same again with just using the MOA turret. Seems to work well. I probably will get the CDS turret at some point in the future if i ever manage to get a consistent supply of the same ammo!

It wouldn't even take that much time to create your own CDS.
Once you know the MOA for a given load, just measure up the circumference of your dial. Then mark out the distances you want. Then attach and have some decent clear taping over the top to protect your custom label.
And for different loads, just mark up/print off a few copies for that too.
Worst case scenario you've still got an MOA marked out dial sitting underneath your custom label.

Ive got one on my 708 and its invaluable for quick shots at distance. Im not changing my load however so its ideal . It makes things real quick. I shot a stag the other week at 260 yds in rapidly fading light. Its as simple as turning the turret to 2.6 and shooting.

Ive got a swaro ballistic turret on my 7mmmag and that works just as well. Ive left the 223 alone and just count clicks because of different loads .

As others have said. Use a reputable Crono and stick with what ammo you choose (before you send off for the dial). I tend to just dial up a rough range when it’s less than 300 give or take. After 300m I use a range finder with angle modified range, works a treat. Happily gets me out beyond 600m. It’s very accurate if your hand loading and using a bullet with accurate BC. For the dial I looked at maps of the areas i tend to hunt and picked an average elevation of 1000m and used 15 degrees temp. Not a huge issue under 500m but it certainly will be beyond that. I’ve had no issues with mine not returning to zero reliably which some people have had problems with in the past.

Cheers

Here is a nice solution for ballistics conversions for those that prefer to stick with MOA.

Just make up the table in Excel, make the cell color black and the text color what ever you prefer.

Edit the font down to a usable size and print. This will involve a little bit of trial and error but by version three or four you should have what you want.

Cut out the printed table and use clear sellotape over the top of it on your scope. Waterproof and easy to use.

thinking of getting a vx3 hd and wondering if the custom turret can be ordered in meters ? , have a reasonable stock of pills for the swede so wont be changing the load for a few years

Originally Posted by tim37

thinking of getting a vx3 hd and wondering if the custom turret can be ordered in meters ? , have a reasonable stock of pills for the swede so wont be changing the load for a few years

Yea mate can get it in meters no drama