So I did a searched and found a few occasions people advised would-be-buyers to purchase a Leupold VX-1 2-7x33 scope instead of the VX-2 ultra light since they are almost the same weight.
Now I began looking and sure enough they are both about 9oz. The main difference I can find (besides price) is that you can purchase a VX-2 with the CDS turret, and only get the VX-1 with the LR Duplex (bdc type reticle). I am interested in getting feedback from people that have experience with one, or both of these systems.
This will be going on a 6.5 Grendel bolt gun. Due to ballistics I will not be taking shots further than 4-500yds (not considered long range by some, but considered a heck of a long distance to me).
Will I gain anything with the CDS (I've heard vague complaint claims concerning the CDS dials, i'd like to hear more about those)? Or would I be better off with the LR duplex (how do you like the reticle, did the bdc points correlate to useable holdovers)?
That's a lot of questions I know.
Neither one (LR reticle or CDS) are really good options; particularly in a budget scope like a VX1. If you want to do any precision shooting out to the range you're talking about, get a VX2 with the Wind Plex reticle and then get a MOA turret for (at least) your elevation:
New Screw-On Knurled Dials for Leupold Scope Turrets << Daily Bulletin This will allow you to "dial" for your elevation and 'hold" for your wind. If you have both turrets replaced you can dial for wind; but at the distances you're talking about, holding for your wind correction is faster and easier, imo. The VX2 and even the VX3 internals were not really designed for accurate and repeatable dialing of the turrets. It's not until you get into the VX6 and the tactical line that the scopes were designed for dialing. If all you can afford is the VX2, just make sure you run a "box test" on the turrets to see that they move like they're supposed to AND return to zero after dialing each corner of the box.
Long Range Shooting "Box Test" - YouTube
Here are the reasons against the 2 options you asked about:
Leupold LR reticle: this reticle, like ALL 'BDC' reticles, are basically a hoax perpetrated on the uninformed consumer to make them think they can shoot further than they should. A little thinking about it and you'll realize this system is HORRIBLE....these 'bullet drop compensators' are designed by the scope manufacturer around 1 rifle of a certain caliber shooting a specific bullet of a specific weight at a specific velocity at a specific altitude, etc. For THAT setup (which they rarely describe), the reticle is probably pretty good. But if you change even one of those variables, the reticle loses some of its accuracy. So, if that's the case, IMAGINE what happens when you're shooting a different caliber with a different bullet in different conditions! Those hash marks, dots, circles or whatever the scope has on it will only correspond with random distances on your setup. There ARE some apps like StrelokPro that will help you work around these reticles but that's just one more step you have to take and they're by no means a GOOD work-around. SA whole article could be written on this but hopefully you're getting the idea.
How do I know? I ended up buying a couple VX6 scopes for the incredible glass, thinking I could use them for my LR shooting. It was a weight saving move after shooting Nightforce scopes for long range; and last year Leupold didn't offer a standard MOA subtended (hashmarked) scope with a illuminated reticle. After 1 year I am now having to replace 2 $2,500+ scopes! Leupold finally woke up to the LR game and started offering serious long range reticles in their premium hunting scopes....along with REAL turrets for dialing!
CDS dials: The problem with these are the same as the BDC reticles; only not quite as bad. So, these dials are designed around a specific load for your rifle that you provide. The problem is, velocity will change (even in the most precise handloads) in different temperatures and especially different altitudes. So, imagine how factory ammo changes. Unless you only hunt in one specific area (i.e. don't plan on going on a dream hunt to a different environment) using only ONE ammo. Not one weight of bullet...I'm saying one bullet from one ammo manufacturer in ONE specific product line. What happens if they drop that line or you find out there's an ammo that shoots better in your rifle? What if you win a hunt of a lifetime to the mountains of Kajikistan? Having a dial that ties you down is silly. If you're going to 'dial,' why not dial in MOA (essentially inches) or Milrad (essentially centimeters) that can be utilized no matter what ammo you're shooting or what environmental conditions you're shooting in?
Sorry for the long post but hopefully it'll give you some food for thought.
One last thing. Cutting weight is great but it's not everything. I don't know what kind of hunting you're doing but I'll tote a heavier scoped rifle that's durable and dependable EVERY day over a 'lighter' package. At the end of the day, how good a shot you make is more important than how tired your shoulder is. I've been guiding hunters for more than 30 years all over the west. I would worry about anyone I was guiding that was toting around a rifle with a 9oz scope and trying to shoot 400 yards. I would highly recommend getting a VX2 OR BETTER for any mountain rifle. Just assuming you're mountain hunting if you're keyed in on an "Ultralight" scope.
JMO. Hope it's helpful.
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