Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Leupold CDS Turret

I know there has been discussion on leupold cds turret, but for the ones willing to work with it, has anyone figured a way to keep the turret from turning when be pushed or pulled out of a case or scabbard?

Cute Prairie goat!

Seriously though, the best way to keep a CDS from spinning is to replace it with a target turret, which isn't going to spin as it's covered. Load specific turrets for the target turret are available through Leupold & Kenton Industries, if one chooses to go that route.

With the zero stop there is no worry of it spinning. If it is not on zero just turn it back to zero.

I beg to differ. Quite often, one has minimal time for dicking around. Adding another step in the process, simply because of a poor design is silly.

The turret needs to stay put.

I can not believe they opted a turret without a cap? WTH~
I may have to develop one in the shop!

I use tape.

This problem has been around a long time. Back in 1976 Bushnell introduced what they called the BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) which was essentially the same thing. I was sent one of the scopes with several dials, and used one that worked for my .243 Winchester 100-grain load.

In the field that fall the dial got spun somehow from 200 to 350 yards, probably by taking the rifle out of a case, and I ended up shooting a pronghorn buck at almost 300 yards, on the 3rd shot, when he ran far enough away to get spined after the first two standing shots went over his back.

Of course, the Bushnell BDC didn't have a zero stop--but I did have some black tape, and that's what went around the dial after that.

Caps aren't necessary. Resistance is.



Travis

That's another factor. My wife shot her pronghorn this fall with a Bushnell Elite Tactical 10x. She was nervous about the uncovered adjustments are first, but after she had the rifle in and out of a case several times with no turning, she quit being so nervous. Though she did check the turrets frequently to make sure they hadn't moved!

I've only played with the CDS for a couple of range trips and a few hunts this year. After the first range trip I spent 2 minutes on the drill press and installed a ball bearing zero-stop. Simple and effective. I wouldn't use one without a zero-stop. Will wait until I play with it a bit more in the spring to make a final determination about it, but I think it has promise.

I should note, when I drilled/installed the ball bearing, the adjustments became a bit stiffer to move. I'm guessing that I drilled the hole a bit shallow and the bearing adds a bit of resistance.

Could not agree with the p_g more

I Love the target turrets less to go wrong with less fluff to get in the way.

I usually have to dial my scopes before shooting anything. zeroing one with a dial that only makes one revolution is not adding a step for me. If you ride your horse close enough not to have to dial and snatch it out of the scabbard and want to be ready for a 100 yard shot I can see your dilemma.

Interesting. I was considering a purchase, but might go the optical compensation route instead. Thanks to those that responded here.

I've used CDS scopes on all my rifles since the day they came out. I am not particularly kind to my gear. I hunt country as rough as anywhere in the lower 48.

I am truly baffled at the difficulty people are having with their CDS scopes. The zero stop makes unplanned turning a non-issue.

Dave

I have a CDS sans zero stop and I like it.

Coyote season will decide for me.



Travis

Fixed it.

Throw away rangefinders too.



Travis

Rangefinder?

I'm still using maps and mil scales...