Hello: I'm looking to put a new scope on a rifle I intend to use mostly for open country hunting. I'm leaning strongly towards the Leupold VX3. I'd like a system or reticle for the long shot if that is what's needed. By long range I'm talking 550-600 yards as that is the limit for me and the caliber of the rifle. I'm trying to decide whether to get the VX3 with the CDS turret system or the B&C holdover reticle. I'd appreciate any feedback from those that have used either in real hunting scenarios. Thanks in advance. Steve
Leupold CDS or B&C Reticle?
- Thread starter stevevan
- Start date
Hilltop
Veteran member
Steve,
I don't have an opinion of which is better because I only use the BDC (VX3 4.5-14 - 40mm). That said I have comfortably made many shots at 3, 4 and 5 hundred yards. I shoot a 30-06 with factory Hornady ammo. On paper the system works further but I limit to 500 in perfect conditions. I have friends that use turret scopes and they seem to do well with them. I personally don't like the idea of any moving parts so I stay with my BDC. If you take the time to mount the scope perfectly and the take the time to sight in correctly, the BDC system works very good. Like any other system out there, you are limited by the time you put into it.
I don't have an opinion of which is better because I only use the BDC (VX3 4.5-14 - 40mm). That said I have comfortably made many shots at 3, 4 and 5 hundred yards. I shoot a 30-06 with factory Hornady ammo. On paper the system works further but I limit to 500 in perfect conditions. I have friends that use turret scopes and they seem to do well with them. I personally don't like the idea of any moving parts so I stay with my BDC. If you take the time to mount the scope perfectly and the take the time to sight in correctly, the BDC system works very good. Like any other system out there, you are limited by the time you put into it.
luckynv
Active Member
I have the CDS in my VX-6-3x18. I am also familer with other brands of BDC. The BDC is a little faster with a known range than the CDS. however if you are talking a long range shot you need the time to get a good rest, determine range and then either pick a dot or hash mark or turn a dial. Either one at longer ranges can work. The CDS for me took time to get used to but now I like it alot. Personal preferance but dont let the CDS intimidate you because you have never used one. It is fairly quick and easy once you get used to it. And if you ever change loads you can order new dials. Hope that helps, God bless
WapitiBob
Veteran member
I have used both. I now range, dial, and shoot. My hunting partner is moving from the BDC to dialing yardage also.
I've not used either method. But am going to start, so I found a Vortex with an exposed elevation dial and their version of a BDC reticle at a price I could not resist. I would have preferred a regular duplex style reticle as I have way too many years just knowing where my bullet is on mule deer sized game to 400 ish based on my sight in and reticle. My hope is to only dial elevation if I am shooting past 350, which I have rarely had to do, to whatever I decide my max range will be. I am afraid to have to learn a new hash mark based method, my luck, the cheat notes would be wet with runny ink and I'd forget where the second or third hash hits. Besides it will be fun to take it out to SE OR in the desert, dial up some targets and launch a few and see what I can reliably do.
Hey Fellas, thanks for the replys. I'm leaning in the direction of the dial turret as I'm having the same thoughts as Tim. Using either system I'm going to have to look at the dial or my cheat sheet before a shot is taken. Also, I do like the idea of just an uncluttered duplex reticle instead of a series of strata lines . In the moment of a chance at a hard earned shot I think I'd be better off with the "KISS" (keep it simple stupid) system.
coastalarms
Active Member
I generally dial for elevation and hold for wind. I have a couple of Leupold CDS scopes and really like the convenience of the dial. Need to set your MPBR to 250, just dial and leave it there.
Now if you like both, then buy the B&C, send it to Leupold and have them install the CDS for $90. I had them install the CDS on a Vx/r 2-7, this way I have a scope for the thicket, but can dial in for a cross canyon shot if needed.
Now if you like both, then buy the B&C, send it to Leupold and have them install the CDS for $90. I had them install the CDS on a Vx/r 2-7, this way I have a scope for the thicket, but can dial in for a cross canyon shot if needed.
I have used the BnC retical myself. I send the scope to the custom shop and had the dial turrets installed with my specific ammo. This way I had best of both.
okielite
Banned
mntnguide
Very Active Member
i love my vx-3 cds with zero stop! ..never have to worry about it twisting when i ride with it in the scabbard alot. great scope and ive been very pleased with it since getting it dialed in. ..had to crank it up to 700 last year to take down a client wounded bull, and was able to hit him first shot. i really like not having to think about holding over with a turret system
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
I prefer the B&C reticle or similar like the Z600 reticle in the Zeiss scopes. They are fast, easy, and efficient. That's exactly the kind of scope I am getting for my new rifle build in .280 Ackley Improved.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I really like mine too. I have it on all 5 of my VXIII's. The only other thing is that I prefer the Leopold Dot reticle. I have shot dots since I was 15 and got my first Weaver K4 with a Lee Dot. Every scope since then (almost 60 years!) have had dot reticles.
Muleys 24/7
Veteran member
I have a BDC scope on my 22-250 and a turret style on my 300 wsm. I have way more confidence in my turret style when I'm shooting long range. I just don't trust the BDC, I will be changing the scope on the 22-250 very soon. Just tough to drop 1000 bucks on a scope
If you see game at long range, you'll have the time to range it and dial the turret. If you don't have time to do that you shouldn't take the shot anyway because the game will be moving!
wildstreak
Member
We are in the exact same boat. I am currently trying to decide on a scope for my 300 win mag custom build. I am torn between a mil dot system and the CDS system. I really like the CDS system but I am concerned with trying to range an animal several hundred yards away. After killing an Antelope 381 yards last year I learned that you need something to rest the rangefinder on in order to get the return feed from the laser. But the idea of learning a mil dot or radian system worries me as well.
I have used both and they both have their place. For big game I pretty much prefer the dialing method with a turret. The B&C reticle only has hash marks to 500yds also, although on mine the flat bar at the bottom worked for my 160gr 7 mag load at 600.
The advantage of the reticle is it's faster and there is no turret to get accidentally turned. I like it when shooting coyotes at a distance, because they don't often stay in one place long enough to range and dial. I can range the coyote, follow it in my scope, and be ready to shoot the next time it stops. If it moves a lot I estimate the change in range from where I measured it. Disadvantage is having to"bracket" animals at intermediate distances (say 450 or 475yds) makes it harder for me to pick a precise aiming point. It works but takes more concentration for me than dialing and putting the crosshair dead-on. My favorite scope of this type is the Leupold VX3 with the Varmint Hunter reticle. I like the finer reticle than the B&C that doesn't cover as much of the animal at distance.
The turret's advantage is precision. With a properly matched turret you just dial the exact range and shoot. I like a reticle even in a turret scope that has MOA hash marks on the horizontal crosshair for wind adjustments. I bought a Swarovski Z5 with the 4W reticle for my 264WM that I really like after last hunting season and moved my Vortex Viper with the MOA reticle to my 6mm. I still have a Leupold 4.5-14 on my 270 I take in the mountains, it has the VH reticle and I had the CDS added to it.
Best piece of advice I can give with either method is to get a really good rangefinder that calculates angles. Neither system works if you don't know your range. I broke down and replaced my Leupold 1000yd rangefinder with a Leica 10x42HD-B binos with the rangefinder built in. I can range animals much farther and faster now, the extra bulk and optics of the binos makes it so much easier to hold steady. The leupold reticle was almost impossible to see in low light, this one is not. Best hunting money I have ever spent.
The advantage of the reticle is it's faster and there is no turret to get accidentally turned. I like it when shooting coyotes at a distance, because they don't often stay in one place long enough to range and dial. I can range the coyote, follow it in my scope, and be ready to shoot the next time it stops. If it moves a lot I estimate the change in range from where I measured it. Disadvantage is having to"bracket" animals at intermediate distances (say 450 or 475yds) makes it harder for me to pick a precise aiming point. It works but takes more concentration for me than dialing and putting the crosshair dead-on. My favorite scope of this type is the Leupold VX3 with the Varmint Hunter reticle. I like the finer reticle than the B&C that doesn't cover as much of the animal at distance.
The turret's advantage is precision. With a properly matched turret you just dial the exact range and shoot. I like a reticle even in a turret scope that has MOA hash marks on the horizontal crosshair for wind adjustments. I bought a Swarovski Z5 with the 4W reticle for my 264WM that I really like after last hunting season and moved my Vortex Viper with the MOA reticle to my 6mm. I still have a Leupold 4.5-14 on my 270 I take in the mountains, it has the VH reticle and I had the CDS added to it.
Best piece of advice I can give with either method is to get a really good rangefinder that calculates angles. Neither system works if you don't know your range. I broke down and replaced my Leupold 1000yd rangefinder with a Leica 10x42HD-B binos with the rangefinder built in. I can range animals much farther and faster now, the extra bulk and optics of the binos makes it so much easier to hold steady. The leupold reticle was almost impossible to see in low light, this one is not. Best hunting money I have ever spent.