Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold VX-3 [3.5-10x40mm] CDS...

I just bought that exact scope this evening for 499.99 tax free at my local Sportsmans Warehouse. I couldn't find a better deal on the net.

Now to decide on the the two loads for the free dials.

Very nice!

I like your custom dial. I too have converted from Leupold to Zeiss on several guns because of the clearer image. I thought about doing something like your dial - so I have a few questions....

So you hunt with the scope cap off, right?

You do loose the "zero" stop feature that is found on the CDS. Any problems with your dial " walking" around as you hunt?

Also I sent my old Vari-x III 3.5-10 in to Leupold three weeks ago for a CDS conversion. It was only $149, so that's an option if you an older scope around. Besides I like the glass better in my old scope than the new VX-3's anyway. It's still not back yet.

Also those dials are pretty sensitive to any variable, so I think its unrealistic to think that they will work well for a range of bullets or velocities. I ended up with two dials - just to cover changes in elevation! And that's keeping the exact same load. At least if you are trying to get the max range out of your gun. Leupold is very helpful with the dial setup, but it would pay to spend an hour or so with a good ballistic program just to see how much small changes on load or atmospheric conditions affect your trajectory, before you pick up the phone.

Another potential shortcoming of the CDS system is that you can't reset the zero point because the zero stop is pinned. This is also an advantage, as you can blindly always crank back to zero. Where it hurts, and where the homemade Zeiss system shines is that you can re-zero your dial if you change elevations let's say from 3000 to 9000 ft, just by shooting the gun at the new elevation and re-setting the dial to match the point of impact. With the CDS system you need a new dial for that much elevation change.

Been looking at these myself. Spent some time on a ballistic calculator and came to some decisions.

First I have a couple of rifles that shoot bullets close enough in velocity and ballistic coefficient that I could swap the scope if I so desired, so one dial will work with two guns.

Secondly I found that if I choose an elevation that is in the middle, for example 4000 ft, the change out at 600 yards is only 2 inches at either end of the altitude scale that I would normally hunt at. About 1300 ft and 9000 ft. Two inches at 600 yards is nothing.

I am still of the opinion that closer is better. I have yet to take a big game animal past 340 yards, lasered. I always felt 400-450 was as far as I cared to shoot a big game animal anyway, but with the laser range finders and some of this new technology I may adjust that out to perhaps 600 yards IF my range results would justify such a shot. Still have the wind to deal with and that is a whole nutha issue!

I am in total agreement on your "reasonable ranges" and the narrow error band you get if you stay less than 500 yds. I am not ready to load fragile bullets just so I can make a point to shoot stuff at long range. To me closer is better.

I am trying to see if I can get 700 yds out of my '06. Not because I want to shoot game that far, but that is where I figure my TTSX runs out of "ethical" punch (1200 ft lbs and 1750 fps) So if I can range that accurately, shoot that accurately, and the bullet perform, I might as well have the "7" on the CDS dial mean something.

For me between 0 - 10000 feet I get a difference of .9 MOA at 600 and 2.1 MOA at 700 yds, so that's enough to make a difference in the dial. Leupold also wants a temp for your dial so you have to think about that too. Things like the temperature sensitivity of your load also need some consideration - of course this is only relevant if you are pushing the limits of your gun.

Leupold gave me + or - 20 deg and 2000 ft error band for choosing the specs for the dial. I ended up with a 4000ft, 50 deg dial and a 8000 ft, 30 deg dial. Basically a "plains" and a "mountain" dial. In most cases I should get a bit more leeway if go lower than 2000 ft as it should be warmer and my load slightly hotter, offsetting the thicker air. The same is true above 10000 ft, colder, thinner air, but some loss of velocity should tend to equalize things a bit.....

I got my scope back today - the testing begins....

I think about this stuff way too much.

It's easy to do that (overthink this chit).

You asked about the Conquest setup. Yes, cap is off the turret, no, there is no way in hell anything other than an intentional use of your fingers is gonna turn the sucker! They are quite "tight".

Calvin did report having a CDS move on him in thick brush on a very physical climb. Maybe he'll chime in.

please post results

Calvin did have challenges with his CDS turning in Alaskan thickets. I hunted for 4 days with my rig in a Kifaru gunbearer and turret didn't turn one click. Mine all have zero stops and I am always in the habit of checking them as well as the M1 I run.

Best pricing is Brunos Shooters Supply for the 3.5-10 for $462. I prefer the CDS and this year have run them on game to over 500 yards, worked perfectly. I just ordered 4 other turrets for our rigs on the 2 for 1 deal.

My son likes the M1s better and his new 6x42 with M1 vertical arrived yesterday. Have to say it is very nice also.

Salmotrutta, I did the same thing you did about a week or so ago with a rig I may use at 3000 feet as well as at 10000 feet. Should be fun to dink with this late winter and spring.

not quite....$445 @ Trophy's

i got one for 469.99 shipped

turrets extremely positive and accurate thus far and dont see how they could click in the bush but....S_it happens....

Glass in VX-3 is good glass, plenty good for any legal hunting and this past full moon it was looking good when looking over a field at night

$435 shipped.

wow MAP is 499.99

where are you guys seeing $435 shipped?? I can't even get that with my midway usa dealer discount

That's what I paid for mine IIRC... REALLY nice.

winner!

Could you let us know where we can get these prices? Thanks, AF

+1

Out of respect for the owner of this site and the paid advertisers who make it possible I will not post the source in public.

Sorry, SAKO75 -

Been out using the dang things in AZ.

Less than 10 days. I also ordered 'scopes with drop dials from the Custom Shop - and again, less than 10 days.

Rorry for the delay in responding...

The eye relief on the 3.5-10X40 VX3's shortens from 3.8 to 3.4 inches. And it still has lots of eye box, twice what the 3-9X40 Conquest has.
While they don't focus as fast, they focus just as sharp. Focus the reticle and then the image, not just the reticle. E