Leupold vx-5hd CDS

[Ruger.270]

At some point on the horizon, I'm thinking of picking up a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15 with the CDS.

Anyone have experience with these and care to comment? Positive and negative feedback welcome as they are a significant cost and I want to go in eyes open.

In particular, how reliable is the CDS (assuming you give them correct information)?

I would plan on this going on a Browning x-bolt 300 wsm to be an open ground Elk/Moose/large Mule Deer setup. I am interested in the CDS for shots out to ranges of 400(ish) yards, although I would much rather keep shots to 300 yards or less. Outside of the necessary practicing, I am not planning on competition shooting (i.e. tons of dialing) or tackling the crazy long range stuff that seems to be so popular in the western USA (500+ yard shots on animals) so I am not going to be going crazy with the amount of "dialing" I am doing.

If not the above-noted scope, any other suggestions for a similar scope?

Thanks!

[Onesock]

Get the lit reticle model they are awesome scope.

[moosinaround]

Gonna be the scope on my 300 win mag build!! Moosin

[jimmy56]

I have owned mine for two years put it on two rifles. Sako Kodiak 338 win mag and now on my Sako Carbonlight 260 Remington. Getting a new dial from Leupold only took about 2 weeks. I have shot out to 600 yards with very repeatable accuracy. My son just bought one and installed on his 45/70 marlin Guide gun. He wont give up that gun. My experience they are worth the money.

[decker9]

I just picked up the same scope for my mountain rifle. I haven’t got to shoot it yet, but at first glances, it’s a pretty sweet scope. It’s replacing a Swarovski z3 3-9x36. I know the two scopes aren’t comparable, but the vx5 is easily the brighter/clearer scope.

[todbartell]

I have owned 3 of them, great scope for most hunting/shooting needs

Another option will be the new Vortex Razor LHT 3-15x42

[300rum700]

They are nice scopes for sure but my money would go to a Zeiss v4 in 4-16. Much better glass and more robust internals.

[Ruger.270]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys.

I always take google reviews with a huge grain of salt but some folks have raised issues about the internal erectors falling apart in these things with lots of dialing related to the CDS system - although do I wonder how much of that is military/competition style ultra frequent use.

I also like a lot of the specs about that Zeiss scope but hate the idea of an exposed elevation turret without a locking feature. I just know that would bite me in the ass at some point.

300rum700 do you have one of those Zeiss scopes, if so, any problems with the turret spinning on you?

todbartell - I have a number of vortex viper hd scopes which I like, and which have been bashed around hard in the bush and held zero (albeit on a mild recoiling 270 rifle) but the reticle options on that new Razor model seem to be pretty weird to me. Any personal experience with one?

[300rum700]

The Zeiss has a very positive click adjustment and a zero stop so not much worry with the exposed turret. I've owned a a few of the v4 and v6 and prefer them to the Leupolds. Fairly heavily documented that the erector system will fail over time and my experience with them has been the same.

[albravo2]

I haven't settled on a load yet so I haven't used the CDS feature but it is fantastic glass. Very bright and clear.

[REMINGTON JIM]

They are nice scopes for sure but my money would go to a Zeiss v4 in 4-16. Much better glass and more robust internals.

I REALLY like my V4 4-16 - Its GREAT ! RJ

[Ruger.270]

300rum700 - you've had the erector system on the vx-5hd crap out on you?

[AllDay]

I have one and like it, but a guy I know in the states who does TONS of shooting (insane amount), runs gear through the wringer, told me that the turret systems have a 100% failure rate in the leupolds, over time. He recommends the SWFA SS 3-9x42. I went with the leupold against my gut feeling, so hopefully I don't run into problems. But buddy told me to basically test the shit out of the scope frequently because it WILL eventually fail.

[todbartell]

todbartell - I have a number of vortex viper hd scopes which I like, and which have been bashed around hard in the bush and held zero (albeit on a mild recoiling 270 rifle) but the reticle options on that new Razor model seem to be pretty weird to me. Any personal experience with one?

No I haven't used one. Was planning on getting one, but shooting isn't as important lately to me

[whitlers]

Why would you need to dial from below 400 yards especially 300? Don't get me wrong I think the CDS system is cool as with other external turret options but is necessary for your application? Can you not zero for 200/250 yards and be in the boiler room from 100-350 yards? Again I am not familiar with your ballistics and maybe you just want that extra confidence of a dial package. I get it just curious.

[REMINGTON JIM]

No I haven't used one. Was planning on getting one, " But shooting isn't as Important lately to me "

What you mean TB ? Whats going on ? :) RJ

[sako79]

I have to vx5hd. One 3-15x44 firedot and the other two 2-10x42 duplex.

Love them one of my favourite scope

[Ruger.270]

Why would you need to dial from below 400 yards especially 300? Don't get me wrong I think the CDS system is cool as with other external turret options but is necessary for your application? Can you not zero for 200/250 yards and be in the boiler room from 100-350 yards? Again I am not familiar with your ballistics and maybe you just want that extra confidence of a dial package. I get it just curious.

Correct - I really don't to dial inside of 300 at all (200 yard zero), but once past 350 I'd feel a heck of a lot more confident with a precise dialed shot then some sort of attempted "put it 6 inches over his back" (which I have done successfully but it is hardly confidence inspiring) etc. especially on a mule deer sized target vs an elk or moose.

[todbartell]

What you mean TB ? Whats going on ? :) RJ


Coronavirus dude

[REMINGTON JIM]

Coronavirus dude

Shit ! I've being sick for over 2 Weeks - Just getting better Now ! Not sure what it was ? Flu then Cold :tongue: RJ

Oh and By the Way get Better Soon ! :p

[whitlers]

Correct - I really don't to dial inside of 300 at all (200 yard zero), but once past 350 I'd feel a heck of a lot more confident with a precise dialed shot then some sort of attempted "put it 6 inches over his back" (which I have done successfully but it is hardly confidence inspiring) etc. especially on a mule deer sized target vs an elk or moose.

Makes complete sense to me. I appreciate your concern with making an ethical shot.

[Ruger.270]

Now thinking of throwing the Huskemaw blue diamond 4-16 x 42 mm into this mix as well.

Does anyone have any direct experience comparing that to the Leupold?

[todbartell]

I've used Huskemaw in 4-16x and 5-20x, I would take the Leupold every time. The Leupold has a locking two rotation turret with free custom dial, the Huskemaw is under a threaded cap, and no free dial. Leupold has larger magification range, and is lighter weight. Click value is also finer, being 1/4moa per click instead of 1/3moa for the H

I do not doubt the Leupold warranty would be better than Huskemaw, and it's dealt with in Alberta instead of USA

[AllDay]

Took out the VX-5HD last weekend... dialed to 400 (plugged info in ballistics app) and the bullet went right where it was supposed to. Wouldn't mind trying 500 and 600 next time. Pretty awesome! I just am worried about the failure rate of the turret systems, but hopefully that doesn't happen.

[.330 Dakota]

At some point on the horizon, I'm thinking of picking up a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15 with the CDS.

Anyone have experience with these and care to comment? Positive and negative feedback welcome as they are a significant cost and I want to go in eyes open.

In particular, how reliable is the CDS (assuming you give them correct information)?

I would plan on this going on a Browning x-bolt 300 wsm to be an open ground Elk/Moose/large Mule Deer setup. I am interested in the CDS for shots out to ranges of 400(ish) yards, although I would much rather keep shots to 300 yards or less. Outside of the necessary practicing, I am not planning on competition shooting (i.e. tons of dialing) or tackling the crazy long range stuff that seems to be so popular in the western USA (500+ yard shots on animals) so I am not going to be going crazy with the amount of "dialing" I am doing.

If not the above-noted scope, any other suggestions for a similar scope?

Thanks!

I dont have a HD5 yet,,but I do have 2 VX3 - CDS scopes,,one is on my 375 which I shoot frequently,,,and those dials are amazing,,,I always send the info to Korth about 50-100 ft per second slower than my chrony says it is to allow for lot variations...I can consistantly hit the one gallon milk jugs at 750 yards with a 300 grain bullet,,the HD5 has a turret with 2 rotations of the dial,,therefore you can dial it out a lot farther than the VX3 scopes

[.330 Dakota]

Took out the VX-5HD last weekend... dialed to 400 (plugged info in ballistics app) and the bullet went right where it was supposed to. Wouldn't mind trying 500 and 600 next time. Pretty awesome! I just am worried about the failure rate of the turret systems, but hopefully that doesn't happen.
The turrets on my 2 scopes have been great, and Ive banged them up a bit

[lowball]

They are nice scopes for sure but my money would go to a Zeiss v4 in 4-16. Much better glass and more robust internals.

I would think your confusing opinion with knowledge. The Zeiss is not comparable to the Leupold for my eyes.

[300rum700]

I would think your confusing opinion with knowledge. The Zeiss is not comparable to the Leupold for my eyes.

IMO. Your eyes are fooling you.

[mulieaddiction]

I have had a leupold scope with the cds for around 7 years and it has yet to fail on me and whats the worst case you get them ti replace it under there warranty

[Ruger.270]

I have had a leupold scope with the cds for around 7 years and it has yet to fail on me and whats the worst case you get them ti replace it under there warranty

That is very encouraging to hear.

Thanks everyone for all the input to date!