Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 CDS-ZL2 Full Review and Initial Setup

Today, I do a full review on the Leupold VX-5HD 3.5-14x44 CDS-ZL2 riflescope. It is mounted on my Kimber Model 84M Pro Hunter in .308 Win. In particular, I show what I was never able to find here on KZbin in researching this scope - how to INITIALLY set up the CDS turret. Bottom line is: I couldn't be happier with this purchase! Come check it out.
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Here’s some of the equipment used in creating my videos:
Kimber Model 84M Hunter Pro Desolve Black
www.kimberamerica.com/hunter-...
Leupold VX-5HD 3.5-14x44 CDS-ZL2:
www.leupold.com/vx-5hd-3-15x4...
Tracker Marine 175TF Aluminum Bass Boat with 60hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard: www.trackerboats.com/bass/pro...
Minn Kota Edge 70 lb. thrust trolling motor: mk.factoryoutletstore.com/det...
Perception Pescador Pilot 12.0 pedal-drive Kayak: www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/k...
DJI Osmo Action Video Cameras:
www.amazon.com/DJI-Digital-Di...
DJI Mic Wireless Microphone:
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YOLOtek GoPro Power-Stick 53" Boat Mount:
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Movo VXR10-PRO External Video Microphone:
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Purple Panda Lavalier Lapel Microphone Kit:
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PGYTECH Camera Cage:
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D&F Jaws Flex Clamp Mount:
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Accessory Kit for DJI Osmo Action:
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[@troubleshooter403]

After using multiple Zeiss models I just purchased this exact scope . The Leupold factory guy was at the outdoor show in Harrisburg and he said the only difference between the vx5 and vx6 was magnification , flip up scope caps . He didn't say anything about a difference in windage turrets though . Thanks for the info !

[@ryano9425]

Perfect timing for this review as it’s the exact model scope I’m looking at getting for my first rifle. Cheers mate from Aus!

[@HookLineSinger]

I think you’ll love it!! Good hunting “down under”!

[@mikerowe8548]

thanks for the tips, i know now how to set it up, very helpful.

[@HookLineSinger]

Glad to hear. Thanks for watching!

[@davidpacker117]

I can tell you watch Hickok 45😊. Buds Gun Shop. That is a nice scope.

[@HookLineSinger]

Doesn’t everybody?? 😉 Bud’s was actually $200 cheaper than everybody else on this scope. I was worried it was a mistake until I actually received it. Ha. Thanks for watching!

[@davidpacker117]

@@HookLineSinger I'm in the market for a new scope. I'll have to check them out.

[@grizzbear6143]

I also just bought this scope. I Love it. Thanks for explaining the elevation & windage. I agree, of all the videos I watched I couldn't find this particular info. Much appreciated.

[@HookLineSinger]

Good deal. Thanks for watching! I got my customized dial in from Leupold this week and tested it out. I couldn’t be any happier.

[@Strutingeagle]

Lowman sight vice is not a shooting rest. Since you clamped it onto the rifle and put the sight vice into a crack on the bench it will shoot higher than off hand as the recoil pushes it up. Once you shot it with the leg out of the crack you dropped a couple of inches. Also do not shoot with the rear sling stud or the pistol grip touching the rear bag. All the things I mentioned will not sight the rifle in properly for hunting.

[@HookLineSinger]

Interesting!

[@wardchris8074]

Bought the scope and now thanks to this video I understand how to make the initial adjustment! Thanks.

[@HookLineSinger]

Awesome! Thanks so much.

[@jamiesmith5459]

Great Combo! I love my kimber rifles paired with Leupold scopes!

[@HookLineSinger]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching.

[@agardner5260]

SNIPER!

[@coloradobiker8483]

Just got a browning bar mk3 300 win mag! I’m trying to decide between this scope or the vx6hd 3x18-50 I like the price of this scope but like the lens covers and the leveling system of the vx6! Also I bit more reach. If I hold off maybe it will go on sale this summer 😅

[@HookLineSinger]

I’d keep a check at Bud’s Gun Shop. Thanks for watching!

[@ozark_trapper]

I have been looking for a new scope. I was planning on going with a Leupold. A VX 5 3x15 44mm. But I've been reading people are having issues with the tracking. Others scopes I am looking at a Zeiss V4. A Nightforce SHV and a Trijicon Tenmile scope. All in the same price range. Putting it on a new Browning Xbolt Hells Canyon Speed LR 280 ackley improve.

[@HookLineSinger]

Nice gun! I’m not aware of the tracking issues. I haven’t gotten into these newer scope makers. I’ve had Leupolds for a long time. I do have a couple of Vortexes and not impressed with those at all, but they may be lower end. The only thing I could consider a slight issue with this scope after using it a while is the clicks on the windage turret are not crisp. The clicks are virtually inaudible and I can’t even feel them well. Of course the numbers are there and once that’s set, there’s little need for adjustments, so it’s not a big deal at all. I’ve just had the thought “for $1200, this should be better” whenever I have adjusted it. I looked at the Zeiss Z4 and a Swarovski that was around that same price point, but the reviews/comparisons I found favored the Leupold. Thanks for watching!

[@jmgates09]

I'm having trouble deciding between this scope and the Burris Veracity PH 3-15x44 and the meopta optika6 2.5-15×44 burris and leupold bout the same price meopta is 400 cheaper but is heavy

[@HookLineSinger]

@@jmgates09 I can’t speak for the Burris or Meopta, but I don’t think you can go wrong with a Leupold! If the extra weight of the $400 cheaper one isn’t a deal breaker and it’s comparably reviewed, I might try that one if I were you. With this Kimber being a lightweight rifle, weight of the scope was a big factor for me. In fact, I almost went with a much smaller one. I just didn’t want to sacrifice magnification for it.

[@danielh9986]

Great video Just to confirm, I've had trouble getting this correct at the range. Are you saying best to zero rifle in with turret off for elevation ? Once zeroed return turret to 0 on dial ? Does this mean automatically if you have a custom dial for a specified ballistic, you just take the factory turret off when in 0 position and place custom dial on in 0 position What about windage turret ? Take dial off, zero in and retun turret on to 0 ? Confusion 😕

[@HookLineSinger]

Yes, best to INITIALLY zero rifle in with elevation turret off. When you put the turret back on (with allen key and tightening set screws), it will be on 0 no matter what adjustments you made with the turret removed. Same goes for your custom dial once you get it. You’ll take the factory turret off and replace it with the custom one and it will be on zero. From that point, your 0 is 100, and you’ll just press the button and dial it up to whatever range beyond that you desire (2 for 200, 2.5 for 250, 3 for 300, etc.) The windage is a more traditional system, just like most other scopes, where you remove the cap, and make the adjustments. You can pull out on the adjustment knob and set it to zero and lock it there by pushing it back in. But it will still turn in either direction you choose, unlike the elevation turret, which has a zero stop at 0. My ONE tiny complaint with this scope is that the clicks on the windage adjustments aren’t nearly as defined by feel or sound as the ones on the elevation turret (much mushier). However, this model is not designed for frequent windage adjustments. You’d have to step up to something like a VX6 to get a zero stop windage turret. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!

[@Lucky13Twice]

Looking at the turret, it doesn't make since. Seems like the "0" is actually zero and you have to move it over halfway to the "2" or 200 yards which then would be 100 yards. So, shouldn't you have it on the 100 yard mark when shooting 100 yards?

[@HookLineSinger]

The numbers on the turret that comes with this scope represent MOAs, not yardage. In other words, zero is wherever you want zero to be (100 yards, 200 yards, etc.). 2 is simply 2 MOAs, which is roughly 2 inches at 100 yards. When you order the free turret that Leupold will customize for the specifications you provide (bullet weight, ballistic coefficient, velocity, sight height, etc.), then the zero stop will be 100 yards, and THEN the 2 on the custom turret will represent 200 yards, the 3 will represent 300 yards, and so on. Hope this makes sense! Thanks for watching.

[@HookLineSinger]

Go to about the 29:30 mark in this video for a visual explanation.