I got a good deal on a used VX-5 HD that has the CDS turret. However, the previous owner used the free turret. I have to fork out $85 for a new one for me. Does anyone have any experience with this? Do they work well? How accurate are their dials? Is it worth the $$? So far I’ve chrono’d 25 rounds averaging 2565 out of my Tikka 308. Should I shoot more for a more precise average?
I just don’t want to pay for it and then have the dial be off a little bit.
I love mine they work great! I can only shoot 850 yards where I am at but I can dial to 850 hit the target then go back to 100 and be dead on again no need for math or complicated apps.
I am not familiar with the CDS–how does it work? You buy a scope with a CDS capability but there is another part that you get separately to dial for your gun’s specific muzzle velocity/caliber or something? Does it have yardages instead of moa mor mil markings on it? Love to know more about this, sounds interesting.
Update: I found this page on Leupold’s website that explains it a bit more: Custom Dial System | Leupold. In the pictures it appears that the markings are just moa still, not yardage…am I missing something?
@alexfields Leupold provides a service to make a custom elevation turret. You send them the velocity, BC, weight, etc. and they make a turret for you with yardage on it. Then you just range your target and turn it to the distance you need. The first one is free and $80 after that.
Jim discussed this a little today on today’s podcast. There are some limitations to this.
What limitations did he mention?
The ballistic solution that it provides is only good for one specific set of environmental conditions like atmosphere pressure, humidity, elevation, etc.
It also assumes your BC is absolutely perfectly correct( it often isn’t) and never changes( it often does). Same for velocity.
Just got off the phone with Leupold and finished the podcast.
Leupold said 25 shots is more than enough. They said the more the better, but they usually suggest getting the average speeds for at least 10 round.
As for the podcast, I see Jim’s point about it only being for one elevation, temp, density, etc. It seems like a ballistics calculator on a phone would be more accurate but I hate relying on my phone for everything.
I’m going to order my custom turret tonight and I’ll report back on how it goes when I get it.
IMO. The only thing you may be missing. This is set for 1 specific load. Personally. I’d stick with stock turret. I run multiple loads for all my guns. Different purposes for each load. Many free aps for bulistics. Make a D.O.P.E. card for each application.
I typically find a load and that is what gets used for the life of the rifle. If I have a different need for a different load then it required a new rifle😁 But the suppressor creates a different issue. On or off the rifle. I have not used my coupon yet. Right now only about 20 thru the 7mm prc.
I am curious to know what the turnaround time was, so looking forward to hearing about it!
@alexfields I ordered it on September 6th and got it in the mail today. A little over three weeks.
To me it always seemed like something I didn’t think I needed till I got it… now I LOVE the CDS system. Where I hunt I have land marks that I know how far away something is and instead of guesstimating holdover, it’s way too convenient to dial in and point and shoot. I’ve swapped out all my older scopes for new ones with CDS. Only thing is it might not be as precise if you use different loads. I have certain guns that I use for different hunts and always use the same ammo