Leupold CDS

[NCVarhtr]

I was hoping some of you have had some experience with the Leupold CDS (Custom Dial System)...I have watched their Videos on CDS but haven't actually talked with anyone with first hand experience....I also see that the scopes that they mention CDS with have the "new" dual bias erector system....I have been using the Varmint Reticule and like that a lot especially on Prairie Dog Rifles, Groundhog Rifles etc. I have been thin king about the CDS and would appreciate any first hand experience...Thanks...George

 

[Trapper243]

I have been using the set up now for several years . It works well within its limitations. Leupold will mark the cap anyway you want it. In yardage for the load, or moa. The zero stop is the limiting factor as you only have 15 moa of adjustment in one rotation. But you can run it without the stop. The ones I have are set up on light hunting rifles. The one on my coyote rig has seen a lot of use from 0 to 600 and I much prefer it to holding over.

 

[NCVarhtr]

Trapper, Thanks very much for your comments and experience...One of the things I'm concerned about is: Does the dial system "Track" accurately? I have several Leupold scopes and I like them a lot. However, I have found that most of my VX-3 scopes do not track like they are suppose to. For example; if I move the elevation say, 2 clicks I don't get 1/2" of impact movement at 100 Yds. Sometimes, I have to move it 6 clicks, then back 4 clicks in order to get the desired 1/2" of movement.. With the experience you have on a Coyote Rifle from zero to 600 yds., You should be able to determine if it tracks perfectly, fair, some of the time, most of the time etc...
Please feel free to share your experience about the tracking....Thanks very much.. George

 

[Trapper243]

of 4 scopes. One an older VX2 3x9 and 3 newer VX3 two 3.5x10 and one 4.5x14 one VX3 3.5x10 had issues. It was also the one with the most use and the clicks got soft. Leupold replaced the erector springs on that scope and it seems ok now, but the rifle it is on has a new barrel and has not been shot much yet. The 243 that get almost daily use on coyotes, is seldom shot on paper, but it is still consitent on coyotes out to 600. Misses are rare. Most shots are 200, to 500. But given the size of a coyote a slight tracking error might go unnoticed. The 300 weatherby does not shoot well enough other than to make a general assumption of OK. On a pair of 270win tracking is very good and both are shot out to 700 on steel and paper without issue.Out of habit, I do always dial down and then back up, but I do that on the heavy gun with a nightforce scope also.

 

[NCVarhtr]

Trapper, Thank you very much for the detailed information and answers to my questions. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for and about what I expected. I've been looking at the new VX 6 in 3 X 18 X 44 for one of my rifles and would really like to try the CDS adjustment dial. It sounds like you experience has been mostly positive and with what you shared about your Coyote Rifle, That's what I need. Thanks again.......George

 

[scallop]

I am using the CDS system with a FX3 6x42. The scope is on a smokeless muzzleloader. I have the zero stop installed so I can only get out to 350 yards with the 15 MOA of adjustment. I don't shoot the gun very much for group size, mostly practice for deer season. However, the CDS system has worked great for my application. As for tracking, I dont feel I can shoot the gun good enough to say it tracks perfectly. It's does track good enough to hit deer and steel out to 350 yards consistently. Hope this helps.