dirtriderdan
Member
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
However both my dials got messed up. One says 100' instead of 1000' elevation (evidently was made for 1000'). The other was made for 100 yard zero. Leupold was great about it and offered me another 2 free dials. So my question is what should I get? I have no idea where I might be hunting yet. I figured the temp and altitude was good for where I am in Chicago area now and the ranges I may shoot at around here in summer. Should I get the next dials made up for a different round all together like something in the 165gr range or should I get dials made for a lower temp and higher elevation? I'm really not sure how much the temp and elevation affect things at say 400 yards. I'm trying to get something made that will be as versatile as possible. I know that may be an oxymoron with regards to cds but you guys have more experience than I do and may know what I will want down the road and what would be most useful in light of what I already have.
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
However both my dials got messed up. One says 100' instead of 1000' elevation (evidently was made for 1000'). The other was made for 100 yard zero. Leupold was great about it and offered me another 2 free dials. So my question is what should I get? I have no idea where I might be hunting yet. I figured the temp and altitude was good for where I am in Chicago area now and the ranges I may shoot at around here in summer. Should I get the next dials made up for a different round all together like something in the 165gr range or should I get dials made for a lower temp and higher elevation? I'm really not sure how much the temp and elevation affect things at say 400 yards. I'm trying to get something made that will be as versatile as possible. I know that may be an oxymoron with regards to cds but you guys have more experience than I do and may know what I will want down the road and what would be most useful in light of what I already have.
