If not CDS, then what?

[bdan68]

thats not the case. Have you checked the measurements on it against a tall target. I have seen multiple scopes that the power was off on where the manufacture said that it was calibrated to. How do you know it gets you to 500 if you have never shot that far in 35 years of hunting?

Because I shoot paper targets that far.


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[bdan68]

I use an app on my phone called Strelok to help me get my scope sighted in to where the holdover points are as close as possible to even 100 yard increments. With the Long Range Duplex what usually works is to be zeroed at 200 to 225 yards, depending on the ballistics of the cartridge/rifle that I'm shooting. So then my main horizontal crosshair will be for 200 yards, the next dot down is 300 yards, one more dot down is 400 yards, and the top of the thick vertical crosshair is 500 yards. No it's not exact, but it's close enough for big game hunting.

Here's a screenshot from the Strelok app on my phone for my 270 with 140 grain Accubonds at 3000 feet per second muzzle velocity.

 

[Marine4life]

I've never had an issue. I always turn my scope up to 9x for any shot from 100 yards out.


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You bring up a good point. With a 9x scope I would agree. I have a couple in the 15x to 24x magnification which is where I have noticed the challenge.


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[bdan68]

You bring up a good point. With a 9x scope I would agree. I have a couple in the 15x to 24x magnification which is where I have noticed the challenge.


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I've always used 3-9x40 or 3.5-10x40 Leupold scopes. I tried a 4-12x40 once but sold it right after my first hunting season with it. With a 15x or 24x scope I'd be twisting turrets not using holdover type reticles.


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[KurtR]

I use an app on my phone called Strelok to help me get my scope sighted in to where the holdover points are as close as possible to even 100 yard increments. With the Long Range Duplex what usually works is to be zeroed at 200 to 225 yards, depending on the ballistics of the cartridge/rifle that I'm shooting. So then my main horizontal crosshair will be for 200 yards, the next dot down is 300 yards, one more dot down is 400 yards, and the top of the thick vertical crosshair is 500 yards. No it's not exact, but it's close enough for big game hunting.

Here's a screenshot from the Strelok app on my phone for my 270 with 140 grain Accubonds at 3000 feet per second muzzle velocity.

I use strelok plus. I guess if close enough is what your going for it will work

 

[bdan68]

I use strelok plus. I guess if close enough is what your going for it will work

Works for me. I'm hunting deer and elk, not prairie dogs. So if my bullet is off by two inches, it's not an issue. If I had the money to spend I might try a turret twisting scope. Probably would go with a Nightforce, and someday I probably will. But right now that's a couple thousand dollars that I'm not able/willing to spend.

Another great reticle, even better in my opinion than any of Leupold's, especially if you want simple, is the Ballistic Plex in the Burris Fullfield II line of scopes.

 

[mcseal2]

Wow That’s a great price on the SWFA. Did you buy it off of the classifieds here?

I think it was. It was either on here or Eastmans in the classifieds. Darn nice scope. Put it on my custom 25-06 for antlerless season and educated late season coyotes.

 

[BCD]

IMO, if you are dialing or holding over, the BDC-type reticles and CDS-type turrets are just limiting and unnecessarily complicate what's going on. Your bullet trajectory basically follows a second order equation, so you cannot linearly interpolate drop between BDC hashes/dots or yardage dials on your turret. Uniform subtensions & elevation adjustments just makes your life so much less complicated.

So you’re saying I should learn how to dial for best long term results?

Thanks!!

 

[Wrench]

Stick to a constant, mil or moa. Verify the constant is what it says it is (tall target test) verify your velocity /bc are consistent with your data (field validation) and ensure your form is consistent.

You'll be very dangerous with an acurate rifle at that point.

 

[Bones]

The B&C reticle on the Leupold scopes is approximately correct for 3 different speeds of projectile out to 5 or 600 yards. There are instructions on zero distance and power setting for each of the groups.

Obviously these are approximate, and may vary a bit, but they are made to be able to take quick shots at reasonable yardages without dialing.

As with dialing, it is super important to shoot at these distances to verify. You can tweak zero or power setting to get your load to match the reticle for yardages that you prefer,

I do have a 4-14 with the B&C on my 7mm, and I found that with the heavy bullets I was shooting, I fell into a different group than recommended for the 7mm cartridge. Once I zeroed for that group, the reticle lines were very accurate for my load at the correct power setting. The Leupolds have a small and large triangle for two of the groups zeroed at 200 yards and one of the triangles is used for the third group with a 300 yard zero. Tweaking zero distance or power setting can help to fine tune for your load, but mine was pretty dang good to 500.

 

[Bones]

You can also run this reticle along with a dialanle turret that would allow exact corrections if time allows.

As you stated. I am hesitant to fully trust the Leupold, and will be putting something else on the Forbes I have coming.

 

[Thomas11]

So I’ve been researching all this and am in the market for a long range scope. I like the idea of using hashes if possible but also have the ability to dial. I think I like a MOA reticle over this BDC reticle. It just seems like it would be more precise. So I’m thinkin of going w the impact MOA reticle Leupold has? Any thoughts? My only concern is it looks busy. Anyone w any experience w this reticle or one similar for hunting?

 

[madcalfe]

i rock a Leopold vx5hd 3-15x with the Boone and Crockett and just use the hold over lines. in my .300wsm shooting 178gr eldx at 3030 fps i sighted it in at for 110 yards and just for fun put a DEF jug at 530 yards (ive never tried to shoot anything over 350 yards) and on 15x (big triangle) held the top of the bottom post on the middle of the jug and hit it 2nd shot. (1st shot i was slightly left due to wind). BDC seemed to work fine for me

 

[excaliber]

I really like the CDS system on the Leupold scopes but the scope itself isn't trustworthy to me. I had to send my scope back because of major tracking and erector adjustment issues which they repaired.

What could be easier than ranging a target at 575 yards and dialing 575 and hitting it? In the heat of the moment I'd rather dial to the exact yardage and shoot.

 

[madcalfe]

I really like the CDS system on the Leupold scopes but the scope itself isn't trustworthy to me. I had to send my scope back because of major tracking and erector adjustment issues which they repaired.

What could be easier than ranging a target at 575 yards and dialing 575 and hitting it? In the heat of the moment I'd rather dial to the exact yardage and shoot.

what leupold model was that? leupolds are tried and true. in saying that i wouldn't buy anything under a vx3 though. you might have just got a lemon but that happens with a mass produced item. could be worse though and get a vortex and have to send it away no matter the model haha.

but in my opinion every scope has advantages and disadvangtages.
swarvo- nice glass, decent turrets but expensive
leica- wicked glass- expensive
leupold- vx3 and up generally are the ones to get. light weight, good turrets, decent glass, generous eye relief
nightforces- king of dialing turrets, good glass, bomb proof, but a boat anchor
vortex- mostly junk beside razor line.
huskemaw- wicked custom turrets, just ok glass, all around decent scope for price
steiner- another decent quality scope and fairly tough
wouldnt even consider nikon, bushnell, burris but thats just me.

choose a scope that fits your budget and hunting style.

 

[excaliber]

Leupold VX-3 4.5x14x40 CDS It seems to be dialing great now but I have no confidence it will stay that way. I've been looking to upgrade for a while now.

what leupold model was that?

 

[madcalfe]

Leupold VX-3 4.5x14x40 CDS It seems to be dialing great now but I have no confidence it will stay that way. I've been looking to upgrade for a while now.

im not a leupold fan boy by any means. i rarely dial though. leupold definitely isnt known for their dials unless you get into the mark line. but in saying that quality, glass, and reliability there usually pretty good. for a mid level scope.

 

[2five7]

In the process range the op is talking about, my personal face is the Burris Veracity in 3-15x50. Ffp, dead reliable tracking, foolproof zero stop, capped elevation and windage turrets, custom turrets available directly from Burris for $49, forever warranty. No other scope on that price range checks all those boxes.

The Veracity uses the same turret at the competition proven XTR II, but with a 30mm tube instead of 34mm. 25 oz, so not a lightweight, but in no way a heavyweight either.