Thread: Leupold CDS turrets

Hello,
Sorry to ask as I'm sure the answer is already around, but I did a quick search and couldn't find it.
Whats the deal with buying second hand leupold scopes, say a vx5hd, where the previous owner has claimed the CDS turret? Do you need to get a new replacement turret (standard moa or mils) to undo the CDS, or will there be two turrets (one standard and one custom) for each scope. I hope that makes sense. I'm just wondering if I buy a second hand scope if I'll be stuck with the CDS turret. Ta

Or, does the CDS turret still have the standard moa graduations aswell?

Depending on the line, some like vx freedom come with a moa dial and the owner can redeem the voucher for a custom dial, others like vx6 come with a turret cover that the custom dial replaces. Not sure about vx5 though sorry, but if it does start with a standard dial, being able to use that will be contingent upon the previous owner having kept it somewhere to not loose it.

You can buy a new cds or moa turret around $100-$150 depending on scope hopefully the owner still has old turret aswell


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Sorry to hijack the thread, don’t see the point in starting a whole new one When zeroing a rifle that will have a CDS dial installed (need to trial some ammo before sending for the voucher) do I keep the usual couple of inches high at 100m (so 200m zero) or do I want it bang on at 100m so the dial is accurate?

Originally Posted by Delphus

Sorry to hijack the thread, don’t see the point in starting a whole new one When zeroing a rifle that will have a CDS dial installed (need to trial some ammo before sending for the voucher) do I keep the usual couple of inches high at 100m (so 200m zero) or do I want it bang on at 100m so the dial is accurate?

Short answer is zero at 100

Long answer is that when you order the dial, you specifiy your zero distance, so if you have a 200 zero, they will set the dial up for about eight less clicks than the 100 yard zero has to be on at 300. In theory you could even zero at 25 and the dial could be set up accordingly but 100 is just more practical.

If you are married to the idea of having it two inches high at 100, maybe because of shooting with that set up for years or for any other reason, you could still zero at 100, order the dial accordingly, and then once you fit the dial, just turn it to the 200 mark and now your rifle is zeroed for 200 and is about two inches high at 100. If you want to shoot out to 300, just wind it around to 300, if you want to shoot something in the eye at 100, wind it back to zero and aim directly with no hold under.

Originally Posted by longshot

Short answer is zero at 100

Long answer is that when you order the dial, you specifiy your zero distance, so if you have a 200 zero, they will set the dial up for about eight less clicks than the 100 yard zero has to be on at 300. In theory you could even zero at 25 and the dial could be set up accordingly but 100 is just more practical.

If you are married to the idea of having it two inches high at 100, maybe because of shooting with that set up for years or for any other reason, you could still zero at 100, order the dial accordingly, and then once you fit the dial, just turn it to the 200 mark and now your rifle is zeroed for 200 and is about two inches high at 100. If you want to shoot out to 300, just wind it around to 300, if you want to shoot something in the eye at 100, wind it back to zero and aim directly with no hold under.

Perfect thanks

Pointless system. If you change ammunition, barrel length or even go somewhere with a different elevation and temperature range, the turret is useless. Furthermore, not all rangefinders will 'range' the same.


Better to have a rifle scope that works off Mils and nearly any modern, decent (and usually free) ballistics program will be better than a CDS dial.

Originally Posted by caberslash

Pointless system. If you change ammunition, barrel length or even go somewhere with a different elevation and temperature range, the turret is useless. Furthermore, not all rangefinders will 'range' the same.


Better to have a rifle scope that works off Mils and nearly any modern, decent (and usually free) ballistics program will be better than a CDS dial.

Totally disagree, I think the CDS system is a fantastic tool. I don't want to mess around with pulling my phone out to calculate everything, just tag it with the LRF and spin accordingly.

Most people don't change load or barrel length once they have settled on the right setup. If you are the kind of person that is always chopping and changing your setup then maybe it's not for you but if like me you have a bunch of different rifles and can't keep track of the ballistics data for each one in your head then the CDS is a great tool to turn the rifle into something that is just grab and go.

Originally Posted by caberslash

Pointless system. If you change ammunition, barrel length or even go somewhere with a different elevation and temperature range, the turret is useless. Furthermore, not all rangefinders will 'range' the same.


Better to have a rifle scope that works off Mils and nearly any modern, decent (and usually free) ballistics program will be better than a CDS dial.

If you run the numbers it’s not actually that far off. I was surprised to find in one of my rifles I am only 1 click different out to 400 yards between a cds dial set for the 6.5 Berger classic hunter 135g and the 80g hammer hunter. Depends how far you want to shoot I guess.

Clicks still a click

CDS works great, just find the ammo or reload you want to use and stick to it.
No phones or apps needed.

Range, dial said range, squeeze.

Do it with your gloves on if you want.

Reviving this thread but what are people using for temp, altitude and velocity? I’m in Auckland and mostly farm hunt around here, but also goto kawekas and kaimanuwas. Want to also set a general drop chart just while I wait for the cds turret as well.

If you want to shoot well at longer ranges put the time and effort in and get set up well you owe it to the animal and yourself. There’s lots of variables like temperature and altitude but probably the most difficult to estimate is the velocity and velocity spread of factory ammunition that can change dramatically between batches. If you go cds don’t expect great results past 350 meters, and by the way in my experience don’t expect the cheaper leupolds (below vx5) to dial reliably. They don’t.

Have a vx5 so not worried about reliability of scope and can consistently hit steel at 500 using factory ammo with the box velocity- just got a chrono so will verify. Spent hours googling this and came access this video for people who may be interested.


https://youtu.be/rH1ffA7bOsk?si=9GiFytQQGIodZqJm