Leupold CDS Dials..Your experience???

[JPhelps]

Go ahead and do what you want to.  It is not good advice though.

I try and talk people out of the CDS and just have Leupold install an M1 turret (1/4" MOA).  This way you can evaluate the environmental conditions and dial up EXACTLY the right MOA (drop).

[sirmissalot]

 

I agree. Then use one of those awesome ballistic apps on your phone and you are dialed in 

[Bob33]

I agree. Then use one of those awesome ballistic apps on your phone and you are dialed in 

...and a barometer, an altimeter, a hygrometer, a thermometer, and the skill to use them.  I tend to agree that MOA click turrets and drop charts are great for those with the expertise to create and use them.  For distances up to 600 yards (OP's max), a properly calibrated CDS turret should work fine for normal big game use.

[JPhelps]

 

Bob I agree with you about about the CDS being fine to 600 yds in most conditions.  I also believe this is what tends to give "long range" hunting a black eye.

My own opinion is if you are not willing to invest the time in learning how to correctly shoot long range, than don't shoot.  How many guys strap on a CDS without learning how to read/dope for wind, understand the difference of shooting up or down hill, etc...

I also have a feeling that few will spend a lot of time at a range practicing at 600 yds and making sure that them/gun can shoot the necessary group to cleanly harvest game (around 1 MOA at that range). 

[Bob33]

Bob I agree with you about about the CDS being fine to 600 yds in most conditions.  I also believe this is what tends to give "long range" hunting a black eye.

My own opinion is if you are not willing to invest the time in learning how to correctly shoot long range, than don't shoot.  How many guys strap on a CDS without learning how to read/dope for wind, understand the difference of shooting up or down hill, etc...

I also have a feeling that few will spend a lot of time at a range practicing at 600 yds and making sure that them/gun can shoot 1 moa groups.

You are correct.  There are far too many who believe you can buy "600 yard guns",  etc.  The skill necessary to ethically shoot at live game at distances over 300 to 400 yards cannot be bought; it must be earned.

[hunter105]

just bought a new rifle and put a leupold 3.5X10 CDS scope on it.  Once sighted in with the right cartridge I will order my turrett.  Then I will practice out to a comfortable range 500 to 600 yards.  The CDS is nothing more than another tool to help in proper shooting.  If you know how to use the tool it can be invaluable, if you don't know how to use it you will be disapointed.

[sirmissalot]

You are correct.  There are far too many who believe you can buy "600 yard guns",  etc.  The skill necessary to ethically shoot at live game at distances over 300 to 400 yards cannot be bought; it must be earned.
[/quote]

Well said Bob. Its frustrating to me watching some TV shows where they are telling viewers long range hunting is easy with this gun, and even easier with this scope (I'm sure most of us know which show I'm talking about). Its amazing to me how many people now think a 300 yard shot is easy. Its easy for the gun, but no so easy for the shooter (without practice).

[Bob33]

Its frustrating to me watching some TV shows where they are telling viewers long range hunting is easy with this gun, and even easier with this scope (I'm sure most of us know which show I'm talking about).

I happened to meet the videographer for one of those long range TV shows in Wyoming a few years back.  I asked him how many misses and cripples were cut from the shows.  He hung his head and said "you don't want to know".  He ended up resigning because of all the unethical shots being taken, and the misrepresentation of how a scope could make shooting at those distances easy for anyone.

Anyone that believes it is ethical should try this quiz: how much does your bullet drop between 800 and 825 yards?  Can you accurately range an animal at 800 yards  (versus 775 or 825, versus the bush in front of or behind the animal, etc.)? How much difference does a 2 mph miscalculation in wind speed make at 800 yards?  There are very few hunters with the requisite skills to take ethical shots at these distances.  I define ethical as placing the first shot in a vital area 95% of the time, and being able to legally find and retrieve the dead animal.

[JohnVH]

I know alot of people with CDS's, they work flawlessly if you give them the right info, if you want to sit on a hill size trying to figure out how many clicks to give your scope with your cell phone, go for it.  A MOA scope wont help anyone if they cant shoot that well to begin with anyway, nothing helps that.

here is a vid we took, I didnt have my CDS on yet so was trying to guesstimate 10' of drop, but his CDS hit dead center first shot.

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=3&feature=plcp

[JPhelps]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.  There is a reason why almost all of the long range shooters run MOA turrets though.

What do you do if the weather or elevation is different from what was made for the turret?  I ran some quick numbers through my ballistics program and came up with this @ 800 yds.  I assumed a 168 gr bullet @ 3000 fps with a G7 B.C. of .316.  A bullet with less of a B.C. will even be a bigger spread:

AT 80* and 24.0 inHg (6000 ft.)
800 yds = Drop of -130.07" or 15.53 MOA
825 yds = Drop of -140.50" or 16.27 MOA

AT 30* and 29.92 inHg (sea level)
800 yds = Drop of -145.08" or 17.32 MOA
825 yds = Drop of -157.27" or 18.21 MOA

How do you go back and forth between yardage and Moa and then back to yardage to make any changes.  Lets say you were only going to hunt at one elevation and just the weather would change the 50 degrees.  There will be a miscalculation on your turret of 6".  I understand you would probably have your turret made for a temp in the middle, but these temps are very realistic if you are going to use this rifle from August bear season to general deer in our state (most likely be hotter and colder).

Lets say we compound this error with a gun that can only shoot 1 MOA.  That means there is 8" of error in the gun/shooter and 6" of error in the turret for a 14" impact from the aim point.

Another issue is the cosine value for shooting up or down but with todays range finders with true horizontal distance this is easily avoided.

All I am saying is that in my example there is over a 30" difference (and this is a premier bullet for long range hunting)  between 25 yards with the hunting conditions I have stated.

All I am saying is that before people pick up a gun/scope combo with a CDS they need to know about all the variables before clicking around with their scope and shooting, especially before an animal is introduced.

I hunt or plan to hunt all over the place from Sea Level in the Willapa Hills to above 12,000 ft. in Colorado.  I will never need another turret.  Also to open a bigger can of worms how do you account for the 40" of drift with a full value 10mph wind at these ranges?

[JohnVH]

800 was screwing around, I wouldnt try to take a deer or anything that far, we were curious how close it was.  Yes, we average the temps, alt, etc for the places we hunt. At shorter distances the difference is very little, and we know where it is going to hit for where we are at the time.  Its all good, what works great for us may not work great for you.

[JPhelps]

I do have one more question 

Why do you choose the CDS over a MOA w/ a drop chart that can be made to more specifically fit the shooting situation?

[elkslayer069]

I have a couple questions about the CDS. Does the CDS have a stop for not turning past your zero? And the other is does the CDS have adjustment covers?

[deleted BGS]

I have a couple questions about the CDS. Does the CDS have a stop for not turning past your zero? And the other is does the CDS have adjustment covers?

yes and yes

[norsepeak]

If you take the time and effort to set them up properly and practice with them, they work great.  The most important part is to verify you data on the range BEFORE you have them made so you know they are correct.