Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Guns N Gear Leupold custom turrets

Anyone have and use their custom turrets? Have some questions
Thanks

I haven't sent in for the CDS dial. I'd rather just know my trajectory and dial up accordingly. At the ranges I typically hunt, I'd probably never use it.

I have them on 4 scopes. Haven’t had an issue yet.

Have them on my .308 Tikka. They have been dead on.

X2

And I tend to move scopes around to different guns so I just use the regular dial.

I have five of the VX-5HD 44 mm scopes with the CDS on them.

All five are on different caliber rifles. All five have the Custom dial for a specific ammo load. All five track and work perfectly.

I love these scopes with the CDS.

What are your questions? I'll try to help.

I don't doubt they work flawlessly, they've all tracked great when I tinkered with them. Another issue is I had one rifle that really liked factory ammo, and Hornady discontinued it. Only rifle I've had that shot Superformance well, and they dropped it (280 Rem). When I work up a load for my 7 Mag I may send in for it. Only other rifle I have CDS on is a 6mm Rem Model Seven, and being a 2-8x33 don't even know why they would put a CDS on it.

Ok so have the 1st gen 6 HD. On the form to order them it wants Average Altitude. I live in Indiana average 700ft but will going out to New Mexico. What would I tell them for Altitude. Will just use this gun for out West. Also FPS can I just take that off the box. I don't have access to Chrono?

Thanks Guys

I would call Leupold tech support and discuss your application with them; they are very good

Checkout backfire turret tags. You can use these to set up your own markers and still have the freedom to change loads or mount your scope on another gun.

https://backfireshop.com/products/t...SrCPBMUTvHHs27p2wz_IHu3Az-AtJ6JD4NrqQshi

Backfire has a good YouTube channel as well. He does lots of cartridge talk and gun/scope reviews.

Here's my answer to both questions, based on my experience with these scopes..

Altitude - Look up the altitude on Google for where your hunting will occur most often for this rifle, and use that.

Feet per second - If you are using factory ammo take the FPS number right off the box, and use that.

If using hand loads you will have to shoot it through a chrono.

You can confirm my answers with a Leupold rep at 1-800-538-7653.

I can 1000% tell you this is horrible advice. Most factory loads overstate velocities by a lot more than you'd ever think. Also most factory loads are tested in 24-26" barrels ro show higher velo's but most hunting rifle barrels are 20-22". Find a chronograph or shoot a true drop test and do the math to get the velocity. Won't matter much likely out to 300 but if you stretch a rifles legs much you'll definitely see it then

I have 3 of the CDS scopes and with 2 of the rifles I’ve shot some long distance shots out to 520 yds and they worked perfectly
This is done with hand loads tailored to the specific rifle so I’m not sure how consistent “off the shelf” ammo would work

I will say this Ive owned 3 Leupold VX5HD's and 2 of those had to go back for either not tracking or holding zero. They repaired one and replaced the other. So their warranty is good but I sold all of mine and replaced them with scopes that actually do what they're supposed to do. So I don't trust Leupold at all but if you're going to be hunting under the same conditions and with the same load that you set the CDS up for then it should be correct. Its just easier to me to make a dope chart and tape it to a stock and im not tied to a certain load or certain conditions. If they'd make the VX5HD 3-15x44 do what it's supposed to do reliably it'd be the perfect lightweight hunting scope for dialing. Some folks have had great luck with them and there's a lot like me that hasn't. I have a sneaky suspicion the ones that seem to have great luck with them very rarely ever spin a turret

Most people don't print groups regularly enough to know if their scope stays zeroed or not. Minute of Deer can be hit reliably with a zero that wanders a little.

I have 2 each 3-15x44 VX5HD and they will both shoot the box 100%.

Try some DNZ mounts if you are having trouble. That way we'll be able to spot you at the range.

What do you mean shoot the box??

It's just a paper test to see whether a scope is tracking properly or not. It'll also let you know if your crosshairs are level. Any scope that is going to be dialed needs to be put through one. Although most won't and most would be shocked what they found if they did do one. You'd see a lot of instances of scopes not doing what you tell them to do. Too many folks try to make scopes a viewing device when they're forgetting it's an aiming device first and foremost. I don't care how good of glass a scope has if it doesn't do what I tell it to do when I tell it to.

Every single rifle that I have my scopes on all have 24" barrels. I personally don't want anything any shorter. Maybe that is the reason that I have not had any serious issues with mine.

My Seekins has 26 inch barrel. I honestly dont see myself shooting past 400 yards