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Need help with leupold CDS dials for .300 win mag

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dirtrider View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/26/2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dirtrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Need help with leupold CDS dials for .300 win mag
    Posted: February/26/2012 at 00:59
I am pretty new to rifles but have numerous handguns.  I picked up a new winchester model 70 in .300 win mag.  I also picked up a new leupold CDS VX-3 4.5-14 x 40.  So I need help deciding on the dials to get for this.

I will need to get accustomed to this rifle by shooting quite a bit at a range first.  After I gather some experience I would like to hunt with it someday.  Not sure what yet or where. 

I have quite a bit of the following factory ammo already (100-200 rounds of each):
Nosler Custom Trophy Grade Accubond 180gr
    19.3" drop, 2261 fps, 2043 ft-lb @400yards with 200yd zero
    2950fps and 3478 ft-lb at the muzzle
Winchester Power-Point 180gr
    20.3" drop, 2157 fps, 1859 ft-lb @400yards with 200yd zero
    2960fps and 3501 ft-lb at the muzzle
Federal Premium Vital Shok 130gr Barnes Tipped Triple Shock Hyper Velocity 3500fps
    7.9" drop, 2670fps, 2055 ft-lb, @300yards with 100yd zero
    3500fps and 3535 ft-lb at the muzzle

I think the Nosler and the winchester are hopefully close enough that I can use the same dials for each???  I figured I could use the winchester ammo for practice and then keep most of the nosler ammo for hunting.  If you were wondering I bought the nosler ammo last year when they had the buy 2 get 1 free sale so I figured it was worthwhile to get as it likely won't be cheaper when I need it.  Also got a good deal on the federal and figured it is fine for practice too (maybe hunting) with a different dial.

So I originally ordered my 2 free dials from leupold (on promo) with the following info:
   [Factory load data from above for the nosler and federal ammo]
   Temp:  70 degrees
   Altitude:  1000'
   Zero at 200 yards
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rustic View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
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Joined: September/30/2011
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rustic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2012 at 01:56
[QUOTE=dirtrider]I am pretty new to rifles but have numerous handguns.  I picked up a new winchester model 70 in .300 win mag.  I also picked up a new leupold CDS VX-3 4.5-14 x 40.  So I need help deciding on the dials to get for this.

I will need to get accustomed to this rifle by shooting quite a bit at a range first.  After I gather some experience I would like to hunt with it someday.  Not sure what yet or where. 

I have quite a bit of the following factory ammo already (100-200 rounds of each):
Nosler Custom Trophy Grade Accubond 180gr
    19.3" drop, 2261 fps, 2043 ft-lb @400yards with 200yd zero
    2950fps and 3478 ft-lb at the muzzle
Winchester Power-Point 180gr
    20.3" drop, 2157 fps, 1859 ft-lb @400yards with 200yd zero
    2960fps and 3501 ft-lb at the muzzle
Federal Premium Vital Shok 130gr Barnes Tipped Triple Shock Hyper Velocity 3500fps
    7.9" drop, 2670fps, 2055 ft-lb, @300yards with 100yd zero
    3500fps and 3535 ft-lb at the muzzle

I think the Nosler and the winchester are hopefully close enough that I can use the same dials for each???  I figured I could use the winchester ammo for practice and then keep most of the nosler ammo for hunting.  If you were wondering I bought the nosler ammo last year when they had the buy 2 get 1 free sale so I figured it was worthwhile to get as it likely won't be cheaper when I need it.  Also got a good deal on the federal and figured it is fine for practice too (maybe hunting) with a different dial.

So I originally ordered my 2 free dials from leupold (on promo) with the following info:
   [Factory load data from above for the nosler and federal ammo]
   Temp:  70 degrees
   Altitude:  1000'
   Zero at 200 yards
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JGRaider View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: February/06/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 1540
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2012 at 09:03
I like rustic's recs.  Go with an avg elevation.  I personally use a 200 yd sight-in.  I live in the desert so I went with an avg temp of 55*.   You ought to go to jbm ballistics website and play around with the trajectory calculator.  You'll find that variances in elev, temp, etc don't make as much of a difference as you think.  I"d also recommend you chrono your loads and take an avg velocity, then give Leupold that velocity for your dial.  
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dirtrider View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/26/2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dirtrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2012 at 15:09
Great point to chrono the velocity first.  I also was able to verify what you mentioned with the jbm calculator.  Good to know I will be able to use the dials hunting even with considerable variance in some of those variables.
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