Leupold CDS Dial Problems and How to Fix Them [2022]

The Leupold Custom Dial System was designed to solve the constant guesswork and turret-turning required to account for bullet drops.

It was designed to increase a user’s accuracy and long-range shooting ability.

Plenty of shooters note that the custom dial is very sensitive.

Any discrepancy in details related to bullet drop compensation can get you from shooting dead-center to firing blindly.

Let’s look at the most common Leupold CDS dial problems and the data needed to make the shots that count. We’ll look at how to make the Leupold Custom Dial work for you.

Overview of Leupold CDS Dial System

Before we go over some of the problems Leupold CDS dial users have to deal with, we have to look at the CDS Dial system.

We’ll discuss how the CDS dial works and what benefits the dial brings when used correctly.

The Leupold CDS Dial and Bullet Drop

The Leupold Custom Dial System was designed to account for bullet drop, or how low the bullet will land from your point of aim.

The farther out you are, the lower your bullet will land.

Accounting for this is a tedious process that requires expert ballistic math knowledge, considering the distance, windage, elevation, gravity, bullet velocity, and even ammo type.

Yes, it can get confusing.

You must make a fine dial adjustment every time you fire a shot. Getting a hit entails adjusting your point of aim and praying your reticle finds its target.

The Leupold CDS dial system is designed to do the math for you!

It swaps out with your pre-installed turrets and is designed to give you the correct aiming point every time you shoot.

The CDS allows you to make rapid adjustments without losing accuracy!

It’s pre-configured with the necessary math, allowing you to turn the dial and mark your targets without worrying about holdovers.

The CDS dial is an excellent solution for shooters looking to get straight to hunting WITHOUT crunching the numbers every time.

It produces consistent accuracy and gives users access to the best shots possible!

How Does the Leupold CDS Dial Work?

The Leupold CDS dial is designed to screw onto any Leupold scope that’s CDS-enabled easily. It’s a smart system designed to make ultra-quick adjustments and work with your loadout.

Each CDS Dial is unique, custom-made by Leupold to help you nail the prey you prefer at a distance you find comfortable.

It gives you unparalleled accuracy and user comfort every time you pull the trigger.

Every CDS scope owner is entitled to a free custom CDS dial!

They must send their bullet information, shooting conditions, and bullet velocity through the Leupold online shop.

This stuff is used to program the rifle scope turret dial to give you the information you need while compensating for the information you shouldn’t worry about.

The dial makes ballistics MORE ACCESSIBLE to shooters. It allows them to go hunting without worrying about environmental factors or losing sight of their prey.

It gives them precise accuracy up to 400 yards.

Thanks to the CDS dial, you will need to range your sight (for targets over 400 yards), dial it up to 4, and place your reticle dead center. The dial does the heavy lifting for you!

How to Use the Leupold CDS Dial

The Leupold custom dial system builds bullet ballistics into your turrets. It allows you to point, aim, shoot and land your bullet on the mark.

It’s made for quick, worry-free accuracy!

The Leupold CDS dials are made primarily with the VX rifle scope series (VX 3,5.6 etc.) in mind. Every owner of these scopes is entitled to a free CDS dial, which screws on easily.

Once installed, using the scope dial is fairly straightforward. You will need to dial the scope in at 100 yards.

This will allow you to shoot targets up to 400 yards away simply by turning the dial to “4.”

After you dial in your rifle scope, you’ll be able to adjust your scopes without looking at ballistics charts!

EXAMPLE: Let’s say you’re hunting an animal at a distance of 450 yards. You must turn your CDS dial to 4.5, as its turret measurements are taken in yards.

This allows you to sight your scope faster and more efficiently. The scope also typically becomes more responsive to your needs than other dials.

All you need to know is your DISTANCE from the prey, and the Leupold dial does the rest!

6 Common Leupold CDS Dial Problems + Solutions

The CDS dial is a unique scope accessory that typically does what it sets out to do.

However, the system is imperfect, especially when certain variables are incorrectly recorded.

Users have noticed several issues that arise when changes are made that can affect how the Leupold rifle scope CDS dial compensates for environmental factors.

Let’s look at some of the common issues that arise when using the CDS dial by Leupold and how to ensure that they don’t get in the way of your rifle hitting where it should.

1. Not Sighting the Scope After You Install CDS Dials

Every rifle scope owner knows you should zero your scope for your bullets to land where they should.

However, many users forget to do the same when they install their CDS dial turret.

This is an example of user negligence resulting in sighted optics losing their zero. However, it will save you plenty of ammunition if you know how to solve the problem.

Answer

This is a simple fix!

As with every small alteration made to your viewing device, such as installing a CDS, you will need to sight in your optic at 100 yards (or whatever length works for you.)

2. Using the Wrong Ballistic Coefficient (G7 Instead of G1)

The two most common ballistic coefficients used are G1 and G7.

Leupold prefers the G1 for the CDS dial, which throws rifle users for a loop when they find out they’re using the incorrect BC.

Using the EXACT BC to determine velocity and how your ammunition travels across the air is important.

This will save a shooter from needing to calculate each turret click manually.

Answer

This is an example of incorrect data and conversions changing the ballistic calculations and sending bullets flying where they shouldn’t.

Fortunately, the fix doesn’t involve spending $80 to buy another CDS.

Leupold offers conversions from G7 to G1