If not CDS, then what?

[BCD]

I recently bought my first elk rifle (Hell’s Canyon Speed In 300 WSM) and will be going on my first elk hunt in 2020. I have killed many deer but almost all were at 120 yards or less so the long range game is new to me. I would like to be able to at least practice to 500 yards. I don’t like holdover lines so would prefer to dial and keep it as simple as possible. I was about to buy a Leupold CDS VX3 4.5-14 for around $550 but the many reports of issues with the reliability of CDS tracking has really turned me off. So my question is, does anyone make a reliable custom turret scope in the $5-$600 range? Does Vortex make one?

Thank You!

 

[204guy]

Easy choice, Super sniper 3-9.

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[wapitibob]

An Avery label and a fine point sharpie will fix the custom turret side. I believe Formidilosus (sp) like the SWFA scopes. You might hit him up.

 

[swampthing]

CDS is your best bet in that price range. Looking to go better will just cost more. Try the lupy and if it doesn't perform they are easy to resell.

 

[PNWGATOR]

SWFA 3-9 milquad reticle. Simple. Reliable. Fairly priced. Zero stop available. There should be an SWFA tax day sale shortly. Simple choice.

 

[BCD]

SWFA 3-9 milquad reticle. Simple. Reliable. Fairly priced. Zero stop available. There should be an SWFA tax day sale shortly. Simple choice.

Does SWFA offer a custom calibrated dial for this scope? Any idea when the sale will be and where is the best place to buy one?

Thank you!!

 

[Schaaf]

If you absolutely need the custom dial and not an MOA/MRAD turret, I would look into a SWFA SS with a custom turret from Kenton Industries. Should be right in that 5-600 range.

 

[Wrench]

With a 300WSM you're looking at less than 3 mils of correction. You're going to be doing yourself a favor to learn how to do the simple math vs a custom turret. If you change bullets, load data, elevation, environmental....all of the variables, the dope on the turret will be wrong.

I'd suggest a SS 3X9HD and some range validation to get the most of your outfit.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Yes, the turret and reticle are marked in mils. Completely customizable to every bullet, load and density altitude. A piece of athletic tape and a sharpie offered by aftermarket manufacturers will allow further customization of your turret dial.

 

[slowelk]

Use the Leupold but keep the MOA turret, it works. Keep a dope card, or tape it onto your gun. Don't overthink this.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I personally prefer turret labels to custom turrets. If you have a scope with an elevated turret it's very easy to create your own turret label for your load and environment. Custom turret labels is a company that does them easy and cheap.

 

[BCD]

With a 300WSM you're looking at less than 3 mils of correction. You're going to be doing yourself a favor to learn how to do the simple math vs a custom turret. If you change bullets, load data, elevation, environmental....all of the variables, the dope on the turret will be wrong.

I'd suggest a SS 3X9HD and some range validation to get the most of your outfit.

Are you saying if I zero at 200 yards it will be 3mils of correction to get to 500 yards and is it 3 clicks/mil? Also can I set the zero stop at any elevation? Would I be just as well off using the Leupold MOA turret then if I don’t go with a custom dial?

 

[Wrench]

You can zero at 100 and be within 3 mils.

If moa is your choice, and you are steadfast on leupold, I'd go moa and learn the math.

But I'd take a SSHD way ahead of the leupold.

 

[BCD]

You can zero at 100 and be within 3 mils.

If moa is your choice, and you are steadfast on leupold, I'd go moa and learn the math.

But I'd take a SSHD way ahead of the leupold.

How many clicks per mil? Can I set the zero stop anywhere I want? And by learn the math do you mean set the different elevations adjusting based on ballistic tables and shoot to verify?

Thank you so much!!

 

[RosinBag]

Custom turrets are overrated as they work for one load. Buy a turret with MOA, and either make a label or tape a chart on your rifle. It is easier and much more functional for different environments and loads.

 

[Wrench]

There's 10 per mil.

By math I mean field validation of your velocity / bc. What is written and fired are rarely the same.

Mil or moa is just measurement differences. Like miles and kilometers.

 

[Researcher]

Id look at the Nikon FX 1000. The 4-16x is $650. I have this scope on my hells canyon 300wm and its great. I used it last year out shooting and hunting. Solid scope.

Here is a rokslide review that came out recently on it.

https://www.rokslide.com/nikon-fx1000-black-6-24x50-riflescope-review/

 

[mcseal2]

I have a SWFA 3-15x42 I got used for $350. I'd watch for a used SWFA scope if you want to go that route. I prefer a capped windage turret, elevation turret to for that matter. I can forget about the turrets while hunting unless I need to dial elevation that way. It's a bit higher than your price range, but I was quoted $730 for a Huskemaw 3-12x by a place if I didn't pay by card. PM me if you want their info. I don't know if I will get them in trouble posting it or not, Huskemaw might have manufacturer set pricing.

Mine has dialed reliably since I got it. I did a few searches on the internet recently for problems with Huskemaw and did not find anything on their tracking. Some people don't like the way they were marketed and some think their glass is inferior for their price point, but I didn't find anything bad about their tracking. I'm sure there are examples of them failing but it must not be to prevalent.

 

[BCD]

Custom turrets are overrated as they work for one load. Buy a turret with MOA, and either make a label or tape a chart on your rifle. It is easier and much more functional for different environments and loads.

Exactly why a custom turret is perfect for me. I will be fortunate to go on 3-6 more “long range “ hunts for the rest of my life and my 300 WSM is my long range rifle.

 

[Marine4life]

IMO you can actually go with both if you buy a scope that comes with the Mil turret and order a custom. I used the mil turret until I settled on a load then ordered the custom. If I want to shoot something different out of the same gun then I simply put the mil turret back on.

Even with a mil turret I would actually very dope at each range. I have a vortex viper that actually over corrects from what the mil graduations are on the scope.

So far I have not had any issues with my Leopoldo CDS on my Abolt 300 WSM. Make sure you have accurate info on your ammo and it will help. Advertised muzzle velocities are rarely accurate from my experience.


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