Anyone CDS

[jmscon]

I’ve been looking into a vx-3 and have seen some with a CDS and wondering if anyone has some real world experience. Pros or cons?

Thanks!

[Widgeondeke]

   
     

Tagging

[Timberstalker]

I have CDS and standard MOA turrets. I much prefer the standard MOA as you can switch your loads without being tied down. Once you punch the CDS turrets they are done. With MOA and any app, you have much more flexibility.

My 

[Crunchy]

I have them on my VX-3.  Developed a load, chron'd, sent info to Leupold and a week or two later they sent the dial.  Spot on.

[j_h_nimrod]

If you get the load or a good load you can stick with CDS is great to make dialing a no brainer in the spec conditions.  If you are still playing with loads or your rifle changes over time they can still be good but require calibration. I will get one for my scope but keep the mil turret handy if my load changes.

[Larry S.]

I have a VX-3i 3.5 x 10 x 40 CDS mounted on my .270 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. I've worked up a load for the rifle using Sierra 130g Game Kings. I sent Leupold all of the info they requested including my chron numbers and they sent me back the CDS dial. With this load and scope, the rifle can shoot 1MOA or better if I can do my part. I truly like the fact that I can dial in a range and know that, if I do things the way they should be done all the way out to my personal "I've got to get closer" range of 350 - 400 yards, the deer is mine. I've shot it out to 300 yards using the setup, and still held just a hair over 1 MOA at that range. Thus, I know the setup is good for all of the hunting I'll be doing. Note: My 400 yard personal limit is only if everything is perfect, otherwise, I'm getting closer.

Short answer: I like it. I'm happy with it. And, it's staying on my rifle because it works and it works well.

[Magnum_Willys]

Works great !  Have CDS / Moa combo turret from Kenton - best of both worlds.

Get Cds for your expected temp and elevation and with a rangefinder with angle compensation you will be happy.

I use moa turret with hornady app or sig 2400 rangefinder but really not any different from cds.

[KFhunter]

I think you get a coupon for 3 turrets?  work up your 3 best loads and never change anything 

takes the thinking out of it, quicker in the field, zip to your range and boom

[bobcat]

Only one is included with the purchase of a CDS scope, but you can buy as many dials as you want.

[KFhunter]

OK It's been a while, I have a sibling with one and I think he got some vouchers for extra dials. 

[carpsniperg2]

I have between 11-13 of them have to count to be sure lol. You get your data spot on and they are a great tool.

[kentrek]

I spent a fair amount if time with one

Things to keep in mind

There only as good as your imputs...dont use the custom turret...the variables are always changing
 
There slow but accurate...never trust your dope with out verifying shots...

Its mechanical...so more options for things to go wrong

Easy to set it and forget it.... definitely get a zero stop and just deal with the max moa....soo many stories here

Overal i think its a good option if your keeping your shots to the 5-7 hundred yard range.....and for the size/weight its perfect for a hunting rifle

Best part about the vx 3 is the aluminum scope covers...well worth it and will save your hunt

[Oh Mah]

I have not put my ONE free that comes with purchase of scope yet but i did get it in 10 weeks.One thing the shop told me that sold me on wanting one was true and to the point.

 MOST OF THE TIME YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO FIGURE BALLISTICS IN THE HUNT,IF YOU ARE JUST BENCH SHOOTING YOU CAN GO EITHER WAY BUT WITHOUT CDS IS MOST OFTEN THE MORE ACCURATE. 

[kentrek]

If you dont have time then dont shoot extended ranges...

Im talking beyond 5 hundred yards

Depending on cartridge things are pretty simple under that

[Oh Mah]

I didn't say it bye the way but anyway,time,time time,how long does it take most to figure the dope and keep an eye on their quarry?

1)range it

2)get the app out

3)figure the ballistics

4)did it move while you were getting the dope figures?

5)get range again ?

            if your alone who does this while hunting?Unless the animal is bedded down your going home empty most of the time. 

[kentrek]

Thats exactly what i do....id rather miss a shot opportunity and play my chances at getting another then hope my cds is spot on for the random conditions that day just to get lead in the air.

Its just not worth it

Close range is different tho...range it...crank it within a few clicks and kill it....this crank and kill range is going to be different from hunter to hunter as my min accuracy requirements maybe different then yours....and thats a personal decision, not mine

This is another problem with the cds....it makes things look very simple for the average shooter...but the more ya learn the less you realize you knew

[Oh Mah]

I will have to use it for myself i guess because i have those same standards when shooting game.if it is spot on though within the window that is,Then i will come back to this thread and praise it.if its not well then everyone will hear about that also.

I will add this,i don't hunt with my hornady book and i dont have cell service in every area that i hunt so if you are the same and you are a hunter who has his or her ballistics taped to the side of rifle then you are also using the same ballistics as whats in my new dial. 
The people i talked to about the cds say it is within 1 moa.

[Oh Mah]

Thats exactly what i do....id rather miss a shot opportunity and play my chances at getting another then hope my cds is spot on for the random conditions that day just to get lead in the air.

Its just not worth it

Close range is different tho...range it...crank it within a few clicks and kill it....this crank and kill range is going to be different from hunter to hunter as my min accuracy requirements maybe different then yours....and thats a personal decision, not mine

This is another problem with the cds....it makes things look very simple for the average shooter...but the more ya learn the less you realize you knew

I think we agree for the most part,My dial will only go out to 700 yards.I was told it will hold between .5 inches and 2 inches between the 0 and 700 yard range.if it does this then it will be within my standards.My 2014 deer was 850 yards through the boiler without the c.d.s.if it works as good with and i am left with figuring the ballistics on a couple hundred more yards when that time arises then so be it.

[Miles]

I didn't say it bye the way but anyway,time,time time,how long does it take most to figure the dope and keep an eye on their quarry?

1)range it

2)get the app out

3)figure the ballistics

4)did it move while you were getting the dope figures?

5)get range again ?

            if your alone who does this while hunting?Unless the animal is bedded down your going home empty most of the time. 

I just print a card for the area I’m hunting.   Range, look at card, dial, shoot.   The second step takes all of 1 second and by now I pretty much have it memorized.   My benefit with Moa turrets is the ability to change variables before a hunt and print a new card.  You are stuck with the cds and whatever information you had Leupold input.  I can hunt Washington at 2,000’ or Colorado at 11,000’ with the same turrets...  try that with a set of cds dials.

[Timberstalker]

I didn't say it bye the way but anyway,time,time time,how long does it take most to figure the dope and keep an eye on their quarry?

1)range it

2)get the app out

3)figure the ballistics

4)did it move while you were getting the dope figures?

5)get range again ?

            if your alone who does this while hunting?Unless the animal is bedded down your going home empty most of the time. 

I just print a card for the area I’m hunting.   Range, look at card, dial, shoot.   The second step takes all of 1 second and by now I pretty much have it memorized.   My benefit with Moa turrets is the ability to change variables before a hunt and print a new card.  You are stuck with the cds and whatever information you had Leupold input.  I can hunt Washington at 2,000’ or Colorado at 11,000’ with the same turrets...  try that with a set of cds dials.

Bingo on all accounts.

[Magnum_Willys]

Ranging with newer rangefinders gives you an angle and elevation adjusted “range” to use for your CDS.  If properly tuned to your turret this works within 1/2 moa .   Also try the free Hornady ballistic app.   For wind just hold off or dial x moa for every 2.5 mph.  X = 1/10 round number of yards ie  .5 for 500, .7 for 700,  1 for 1000.    ( tweak 2.5 mph wind to your rifle)

[jmscon]

I didn't say it bye the way but anyway,time,time time,how long does it take most to figure the dope and keep an eye on their quarry?

1)range it

2)get the app out

3)figure the ballistics

4)did it move while you were getting the dope figures?

5)get range again ?

            if your alone who does this while hunting?Unless the animal is bedded down your going home empty most of the time. 

I just print a card for the area I’m hunting.   Range, look at card, dial, shoot.   The second step takes all of 1 second and by now I pretty much have it memorized.   My benefit with Moa turrets is the ability to change variables before a hunt and print a new card.  You are stuck with the cds and whatever information you had Leupold input.  I can hunt Washington at 2,000’ or Colorado at 11,000’ with the same turrets...  try that with a set of cds dials.

That is probably my biggest concern.

Mostly I’ll be using it up to 500 yards or so, not going past that....yet.

If the scope went on a different rifle I could get new dials made for $60-70, or just go with Mia and not worry about it.

Seems like there is less thinking involved with the cds, which is better for me 

[lord grizzly]

I didn't say it bye the way but anyway,time,time time,how long does it take most to figure the dope and keep an eye on their quarry?

1)range it

2)get the app out

3)figure the ballistics

4)did it move while you were getting the dope figures?

5)get range again ?

            if your alone who does this while hunting?Unless the animal is bedded down your going home empty most of the time. 

I just print a card for the area I’m hunting.   Range, look at card, dial, shoot.   The second step takes all of 1 second and by now I pretty much have it memorized.   My benefit with Moa turrets is the ability to change variables before a hunt and print a new card.  You are stuck with the cds and whatever information you had Leupold input.  I can hunt Washington at 2,000’ or Colorado at 11,000’ with the same turrets...  try that with a set of cds dials.

I was going to say range cards are still a thing right? mines on the side of my rifle and if its a hunt that will span multiple elevations/conditions the appropriate adjusted range cards are in the pocket of my pig rifle stock pack. if your 100% reliant on an electronic device out there your asking for it...

[fillthefreezer]

CDS turrets can be a good thing, as long as they are well verified and their limits adhered to. theyre only as good as the data theyre made with though. for true long range shooting, MOA and a ballistic app is the way to go(or mils is actually my preference), but in a hunting situation where the range is moderate, many of the variables are not going to play such a large factor, here the faster CDS turret will be plenty serviceable.

[7mmfan]

I have the CDS on my vx3I 4.5-14. I've shot it to 650 yards and it was spot on. I have yet to shoot an animal where I had to dial it, but I'm confident that when the time comes I'll be able to. I'm not a big long range guy, I just got it as more of a contingency plan for when the day comes that I really need to shoot at 500 yards.

[The scout]

They can work well. But you need to practice with a lot. You can also get Moa and custom on the same dial. Roughly for every 3000’ in elevation is half moa off. I use one when I go to Montana because where I hunt it doesn’t change much in elevation. Another option is the custom turret tape you can get them made for different elevations. I personally would not shoot past 400yds with a custom turret, the main reason is barometric pressure is the biggest factor and all the info you enter gives you a generic number for it.

[Magnum_Willys]

Son pulled his 338-378 out this afternoon and rang a 10" steel at 1000 yards cold bore with his vx3 CDS with 8mph wind first shot.  He likes it. 

[hogslayer]

Thanks for the invite

[JohnVH]

VX3L with CDS. Works great. Recommended!


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