Leupold CDS Dial Problems To Be Aware Of

If you’re an experienced shooter, chances are you have heard about Leupold scopes. After all, this family business has been making quality optics for over 100 years. However, no scope is perfect & Leupold is no exception. In this post, we are going to cover some of the most common Leupold CDS dial problems that shooters encounter & some quick fixes.

Most Common Leupold Scope Problems

Here are 7 problems Leupold scope owners encounter with its custom dial system. It is very important to know how to tell if a scope is bad & not working. Remember that many of these problems are rare & only impact a small number of customers.

1) Issues With Muzzle Velocity

In order to calibrate your custom dial system, Leupold technical service team needs information on your weapon’s muzzle velocity. The average shooter will send Leupold their ‘average muzzle velocity‘ based on data purely from their ammo manufacturer. In our post about where is leupold made we learned their customer service team is top notch and should be able to help you out.

Don’t do this. Every gun is different. There are manufacturing tolerances on all gun barrels and parts. This affects the muzzle velocity!

To fix this, use a measurement system (chronograph) to get the actual muzzle velocity from your specific weapon. Providing the wrong muzzle velocity will result in accuracy issues from certain distances.

2) Incorrect Ammo Data

Many shooters get their Leupold custom dial system calibrated correctly the first time. Then weeks, months, or even years later they decide to change ammunition.

In their mind, there is no issue. The new ammo has the same specifications as the original ammo. This is ok, right?

Nope! There are manufacturing & material tolerances that are not exactly the same when you switch bullet manufacturers. To fix this, you can wither switch your ammo back, or get a new custom dial system.

Many shooters ask questions like where are holosun optics made? Consider these things before buying a scope because you might run into problems.

3) Zero Your Scope

If you are anything like me, then you have zero patience. When I buy a new scope I am at the range the very next day sighting in my rifle. I pop off the adjustment covers and start tweaking the elevation dial and making windage adjustments. The Leupold TMR reticle is also a favorite of mine!

Don’t do this! Wait to sight in your rifle scope until after your custom dial system (CDS) has been calibrated by Leupold. Then you can modify the set screws to make elevation and windage adjustments. And if you are a new gun owner, check out our post on How to Adjust a Scope on a Rifle.

4) Problems With Sight Height

You must provide Leupold with your specific sight height to get your CDS system calibrated. Many shooters go wrong here.

When measuring the scope height for your particular rifle, do not just provide the scope ring height. Be sure to measure from the center bore of your scope to the center bore of your rifle.

If you don’t, it could impact your accuracy when you’re out in the field. If you give them the wrong sight height, it could throw off your whole shot.

Normally, when you spend this much on a scope you don’t expect problems. But after finding Springfield Hellcat RDP problems I know that price does not always equal quality.

5) Wrong Ballistic Coefficient

In most situations, you should be using the G1 ballistic coefficient. However, Leupold does not seem to do a good job providing clear instructions. On more than one occasion, I have heard of shooters accidentally using the G7 coefficient.

It goes without saying that providing the wrong ballistic information will result in accuracy issues.

6) Issues With Scope Base

If your Leupold scope comes with a faulty base it can lead to some issues. Think about it this way, if your base is out of tolerance then you will have to over-adjust your settings during the sighting process.

For most people, this will never end up being an issue. But if you try to take shots at the far end of the range of your scope, you may not have enough adjustment left in your dial. I also found this when reviewing the sightmark wraith 4k max problems in previous reviews.

7) Dial Is Stuck

Out of all the most common issues with the CDS turret, this is probably the rarest. Some shooters will have issues with their CDS dial getting stuck. Most people theorize that this is because of broken springs within the scope. If you are having issues adjusting your dial, call Leupold customer support. Some people also reported this as a common Burris Eliminator 3 problem as well.

What Is The Leupold CDS Dial?

The Leupold CDS stands for ‘custom dial system‘. It is a custom BDS turret that provides instant access to the critical data needed to make an accurate shot prom predetermined distances. Each custom dial system is specifically calibrated for your preferred ballistics. The idea is that once you’ve dialed in your CDS, all you need to do is aim and shoot. Make sure you understand how to focus a rifle scope to use this correctly!

The cool part is every customer who orders a Leupold scope model with CDS dial options gets one FREE custom dial system. To ensure that the Leupold custom shop can calibrate your custom dial system (CDs) to your needs, they need some basic info.

• Caliber of your rifle
• Type of ammo you use (Including bullet weight)
• Your ballistic information (coefficient/drag)
• Muzzle velocity (based on your ammunition)
• Sight height (rifle bore to sight bore)
• and more!

If you decide to change any of this input data, you can purchase new CDS dials for $80-100.

Best Place To Buy Scopes

There is no one scope that is best for all shooters. Simply because we all have our own unique preferences and use cases. And not everyone is interested in one of the Leupold scope models! Check out our post on the Best Scopes for M&P Sport 2 or the Best Scopes for Henry Big Boy Magnum 44. There is a scope that fits everyone’s use case and budget constraints.

FAQs – Leupold Scopes

The Bottom Line

All in all, Leupold CDS dials are a great addition to any shooter’s rifle. I have reviewed dozens of sights and scopes & found issues with competitors like the Sig romeo 5. However, it is important to be aware of these potential issues and take them into account when shopping. With a little bit of knowledge and some careful forethought, you can make sure that your new scope will serve you well for years to come. Let us know if you run into any new issues with your Leupold CDS dial.