Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold CDS 4-14x40 feedback?

I'm thinking about putting one of these on my lightweight "sheep" rifle. For those of you that have been using them, how are they holding up and have you been satisfied with their performance? Has the tracking been reliable when dialing for yardage? Any problems with them? Thanks for the info.

I have two of them, one on a .280AI and one on a 300WM. I love the glass on them (as compared to my previous VX-II's). They seem brighter to me. The adjustments also seem to work a bit smoother and true when compared to the VX-II's as well. My custom dials are on the way say I can't comment on those yet. If the dials work as well as expected, I can smell some more coming my way.

Thanks for the info. I haven't been able to find a decent scope that weighs less that also has exposed turrets. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

The elevation knob on mine moved three times on a recent elk hunt, without my knowledge.

Doc I campared the 4.5x14x40 cds (non-ao) and the 3.5x10x40 cds. I own five or six 4.5x14x40 AO scopes and wanted to go with the 4.5x14x40 but I would not own the 4.5x14x40 with out a ao. It was a warm day when I was comparing them and above 10 power it began to blur.

I did buy the 3.5x10x40 and have been very happy with it.

Dink

Thanks Bob. Good to know you have to watch that. Maybe a scope coat would stop that?

Dink, I've been concerned about not having a side focus. I was thinking about getting one of the LR 4-14x40 or 50 and having the custom shop put a CDS knob on it.

I've got a VX3 4.5-14 LR that I had a CDS put on. It hasn't scene much field use, but my dial isn't easy to turn.

I have 3 older 4.5-14's with the AO and on a hunting rig I prefer them to the side focus, but than again I'm fairly new to side focus scopes. Just seem more at home on a target/varmint gun and not a big game rifle (my opinion).

Doc I also have a VX3 4.5x14x40 LR with side focus and really like it. If it was my money I would not buy a 14 power scope with out AO. If getting one of LR scopes is a option I would go that route.

Dink

I like my 3.5-10x40 cds much better than my 4.5-14x40 cds. The lack of ao or sf hurts but it just seems less bright and not as sharp to me. I have the knobs on each and they work great.

One lightweight option for you is the Swaro z3 or z5 and adding the Western Outdoorsman turret. That's what I'm thinking about doing on my "sheep rifle". It currently has a Swaro 3-10x42 AV. The Swaros are the same or slightly less weight than the comparable size Leupy.
Lee

Thanks for the info guys. Good info that gives me a lot to think about. Too bad Swaro doesn't have a simple, low profile MOA turret like the CDS.

Yeah, the Swaro turret is a little big and really is not a turret. It is more of a multizero. It gives you 4 zero points. Not bad but not as good a system as the CDS or a Kenton Turret. I wish Zeiss made a lighter scope and then you could put the Kenton system on it.

Leica's new scopes are amazing optically and the 2.5-10x42 30mm weighs 16.6ozs. You can get it with ballistic reticle and they have been promoting an "ASV turret" since they came out. I have 3.5-14 and was wanting to get it with the turret. It is supposed to be a retrofit. I spoke with Doug yesterday and they still don't have any available yet. Probably won't know any more until after SHOT.

You can get the Leica demo from Doug for $1050 or $1100 with ballistic reticle. Of course, you have to send him a cheapo scope for trade in and get $400 off.
Lee