Leupold CDS

[Macintosh]

If you dont have a good rangefinder and a way to compensate for the angle then the turret is irrelevant. Rf is a prerequisite for the turret to be of any value in the first place.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Garbage in, garbage out.

Validate everything (velocity, drops, etc out to "extended" distance) and then consider what type(s) of "cheat sheet" you want to use. Doesn't matter if it is an etched turret (ex: CDS), handwritten tape on a turret, a phone app, high end RF binoculars, drop chart on your phone, or a Post-It tapes to the side of the rifle. There's pros and cons to all of them. I tend to prefer "two" methods in case something happens to one of them (ex: dead battery).

Folks on RS tend to poo poo the CDS type of stuff but applaud the others. Not quite sure as they all are about using something to make "dialing" the distance faster and easier.

Angle compensation applies to all shooting and not limited to custom turrets).

Outside the RS realm, folks tend to use the same rifle/ammo and hunt the same animals in the same country at the same time of year with similar weather/temperature over the years. A CDS-type of turret can be well suited for that type of hunting situation. For example, I could very easily use a custom turret for a dedicated long range-ish Coues rifle and not miss a beat.

If the rifle/scope is going to be used all over the place, dialing will be the best route. No one says that you cannot use both the CDS and the regular turret for different scenarios. It is pretty easy to validate and adjust zeros as needed especially on the VX5 HD.

 

[SDHNTR]

Why would anyone handicap themselves with the CDS? There are no advantages. Only disadvantages.

 

[Scottf270]

Im new to dialing scopes. Mils and a good quality scope that tracks has rapidly helped my progression. An app, a chart, or app info committed to memory, (once your hunting parameters are known) are the way to go.

If you hunt the same area with the exact load under like conditions, the CDS will work. Introduce any change, or move the scope, it loses its accuracy. I will never give up the versatility of a straight mil dialing scope ever again.

 

[ND_Hooligan]

No, how would it? You'd have to set it up for that angle when the turret is engraved.

That is my point. My rangefinder does calculate angle compensation and I don't see the benefit of the CDS system when I take shots at multiple angles while hunting.

 

[ND_Hooligan]

A semi decent range finder will give you an accurate angle compensated yardage. If your current range finder doesnt do that get something that will

I understand that and agree with you. I use a top end rangefinder with a built in ballistic program that is spot on using different loads and different variables. For me personally, I see no benefit of the CDS and was only commenting on how important the angle compensation is to me under the conditions I hunt.

 

[DanMan]

My rf shows

My newer VX 5HD does not have the BDC, which I now regret. My older Leupold scope the VXL, does have the BDC reticle and that is what I was using out at distances. I may have to change to another scope/reticle. So how do you have yardage and MOA? How does that work?

Huskemaw makes a dual stack that actually gives you two turrets in one. My outer is always visible and is marked in yardage for quick action. Simply popping this outer turret up exposes an inner one that is moa. It works great. I have also used the tape on labels on a single turret that have top half marked in moa with bottom half marked yardage. That works well also but the markings have to be smaller in order to fit it all in. Sometimes that can be more difficult for old eyes to see clearly.
I love having both. My buddy or guide can call out yardage from their RF and all I have to do is dial it and send it. With my load I will be in the kill zone out to a reasonable distance anywhere from 6000 ft to 10,000 ft elevation in fall Hunting temperatures with a turrets marked for 8,000 ft @32f.
If I want more precision or longer distance then it's easy to use the moa solution, dial it, send it. My rangefinder with onboard sensors will give me both yardage and moa solutions at the press of a button. No app needed in the field.

 

[FLHunter87]

I just a dial made for my 6.5PRC. I reload. I havent had the chance to use it yet, but i cant wait until i can.
I have seen many videos where people dont fill the simple information accurately and that is why the CDS doesn't work well. If you're shooting factory ammo, lot to lot makes a difference and sometimes can make a huge difference. It's very hard in my opinion to create a CDS for factory ammo. And in many videos, people did make this complaint, but it's not Leupolds fault. Knowing the conditions and all the basic info is important. Being off 1k-2k ft of elevation or even 20-30 degrees isn't going to make a huge impact below 300-400 yards. But again if you're not using the same exact load each time, there will be frustration and the claims of the CDS not working.

Many videos I did watch and there were many that loved there dial. You also need to remember some people are more liberal/conservative than others and dont care as long as they are MOA accurate. The best bet to see the dial work out is being consistent with your loads and providing accurate information to Leupold when getting the dial made. I have 1 made at 1k and another at 6k. Between sea level and 4kish feet of elevation there is little change. Once It nears 5kish of elevation there is some change. So my 2 dials, I am pretty much covered for what I may come across.

Lastly, having a good rangefinder will/should take a lot of guess work out for the true yardage whether angled or not. Most rangefinders today have that angle technology recognition. For many people that can't shoot long range often or don't practice much the CDS is a great tool. Or for the people that dont care to learn there bullet compensation and just want Leupold to do it for them. I am very limited in my shotting ranges where i live. I figured this would be the best thing for me. Still knowing windage dialing is important at your longer ranges too.

 

[Diamondback]

CDS dials are only good as the data you put into them. If you are guessing at data without confirming FPS, etc. That is a prayer and not data. You have to have the right data.
Randy Newberg uses CDS and is very successful for what he does.

Out to 500yds, from sea level to 7000ft, very little in elevation and windage change.
Past 500, big changes as variables get magnified.

See for yourself.

ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator

Calculates the ballistic trajectory of a bullet fired from a rifle, handgun or other firearm. Produces a ballistic trajectory chart and table that shows the drop, velocity, kinetic energy, windage, and trajectory of a bullet.

shooterscalculator.com

 

[rookieforever33]

Remembering your dope out to 500 yards in 50 yard increments isnt hard. Any cheat sheet or marks on your dial for confirmation should cover you. The best thing about the cds dials is the return to zero and push button lock.

Have you side by side compared your cds cut to the ammo you plan on shooting? They may be closer than you think.

 

[wind gypsy]

Rangefinder with ballistics and/or turret tapes make them obsolete IMO.

 

[Capt.Gene]

Have never used one but saw an interesting option by Kenton industries. Their turrets could be set up for yardages and also have moa/mils. They make them for multiple other brands as well.

I did talk to Kenton today and I spent some money, but they do NOT offer turrets for Leupold.
Then I ordered a turret from Leupold to go on my VX5HD that sets on my 7mm BackCountry. This will be cut for a Federal 175 tipped that I won’t be reloading.The 16” short barrel rifle likes it.

 

[FLHunter87]

I did talk to Kenton today and I spent some money, but they do NOT offer turrets for Leupold.
Then I ordered a turret from Leupold to go on my VX5HD that sets on my 7mm BackCountry. This will be cut for a Federal 175 tipped that I won’t be reloading.The 16” short barrel rifle likes it.

I hope you have a lot of the same lot of ammo. I find it very hard to trust factory ammo. I have done tests with a few calibers and chronographed. Lot to lot there are differences and sometimes big ones. I would find it very hard to get a turret made with factory. I have seen many people frustrated on YouTube. I hope you have better luck though.

 

[journeyman713]

There’s always the right tool for every job.

If the job is, quickly hitting a target hundreds of yards away, then the Leopold CDS dial is it! An elk quickly presents itself at 600 yards, just dial to six and shoot. Mission accomplished.

If the job is key-holing something at the range, and time is not of the essence, then by all means, all kinds of gizmos and an App, might be the way to go.

 

[peaceman]

CDS has been spot on for my two rifles that have them, out to 800 yards. Its superfast and accurate and we confirmed at our local range. I don't want to rely on taking the time to mess with an app and then dialing, etc when its much easier just to dial the yardage on the cds...

 

[Mojave]

I would buy a Kenton sticker for it.

 

[FLHunter87]

CDS has been spot on for my two rifles that have them, out to 800 yards. Its superfast and accurate and we confirmed at our local range. I don't want to rely on taking the time to mess with an app and then dialing, etc when its much easier just to dial the yardage on the cds...

I agree. Just need something for the wind at long range like that but minimal compared to doing all the other stuff required. I can only test mine at 200 yards. That's all I have locally. When I get to Texas, I'll throw it out there. I dont think im worried though. I reload, know all my information and control it all. It should be spot on.

 

[Hydra6]

I compete in PRS, I understand how to get dope, dial, etc.

I hunted for multiple years for mule deer and antelope using a Kimber Montana with VX6 2-12 with CDS set for factory Hornady 280AI 162ELDX Precision Hunter. I harvested multiple mule deer and antelope with that combination and loaned it to other hunters who also harvested mule deer and antelope with that combination.

I had the CDS dial spec'd for the altitude, etc. for the Wyoming area we normally hunt.

I used same rig in New Mexico to harvest an antelope and my hunting partner used it to harvest an antelope on same trip.

These engagements were 75 yards to 350 yards. CDS was "easy" and effective.

Note - this was before I joined RokSlide - I did not know back then that Leupold scope and CDS would not work.