My CVA Scout in 45-70

CVA Scout – 45-70 with a Burris 2-7 scope

Sometimes, you just have to buy a rifle “because”. The CVA Scout is one of those purchases. It’s a single shot, chambered for a rimmed cartridge, the 45-70. The trigger out of the box is far and away the best I have ever used in a single shot. That includes the Ruger No. 1 and the Thompson Center Contender and Encore rifles as well. And much better than the H&R single shot, which had the worst factory trigger of the bunch.

Handi Rifle – 22 K-Hornet with a Leupold 4×33mm scope

Granted, the H&R/NEF Handi rifles were budget guns, so you couldn’t expect a nice, light trigger. But they worked. If you were hunting or shooting when they were still being made, you will remember that in addition to their low price, they were a dependable, no frills performer.

Unfortunately, they ceased production in 2015. Since then, prices for used Handis have gone through the roof! With the exception of collectibles, these pre-owned single shots seem to be overpriced. I see a few on gun shop racks, but they sit until either the store lowers the asking price, or a potential buyer haggles with the clerk.

In contrast, the CVA (Connecticut Valley Arms) Scout rifles are cheaper…and they’re in production! The blued CVA is about $539 CDN. The stainless barrel model is $639 CDN. The Scout has seven different chamberings – 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 350 Legend, 35 Whelen, 45-70, 450 Bushmaster and 44 Magnum. I only hope they will expand their cartridge line and put more single shots on gun shop shelves.

Single shots are definitely a niche market. That’s no surprise, given the popularity of autoloaders these days. It’s the influence of television, and for some, having served in the military. As a retired armourer, I spent a lot of time with autoloaders, but for personal pleasure, give me a single shot or a bolt any day.

Some 45-70s in production

That wordy preamble over, let’s talk about the CVA Scout rifle. You can read about its history and what it manufactures here.

click to visit CVA – CVA Muzzleloaders & Rifles – CVA Rifles

The web also has reviews on them.

I am by no means an expert on their products, but I like the Scout. I might even be convinced to get one in 44 Magnum!

Generally speaking, single shot factory triggers aren’t particularly good out of the box. The Scout trigger however was well executed. It breaks at 3 lb with little creep. If it’s like that new, I can see it improving with use.

Without the scope, it weighs exactly 7.5 pounds

It has a fluted, stainless steel barrel. This isn’t the norm for single shots and makes it a nice touch.

It comes with a scope rail. If you get one, remember to take the rail off, clean up the threads and screws and reinstall them with some Loctite. I bought a pair of Burris 1 inch, medium height Zee rings because I had difficulties accessing the hammer using the lows.

Four screws keep the rail secure

The forend is made for quick take down. A short pull on the lever and off it comes. There are no screws securing the forend to the barrel.

25 inch fluted barrel with muzzle brake

Now some things that might make you go hmmm.

It weighs 7.5 lb. With a scope, 8.5 lb. Some 45-70 loads will make you wince. I suppose that goes for any rifle though if it’s loaded hot though.

It has a muzzle brake. These days, they are “cool”. A lot of younger shooters want them, regardless of calibre, because of their looks. Many of us know that there are trade offs however. The biggest is that they are loud! At the range, touch off this or any other rifle with a muzzle brake and you will wake up the neighbours! I don’t know how effective this particular brake is, but I’m assuming a 25 to 30% recoil reduction.

That’s a big breech!

I loaded up some 400 grain lead bullets with AA 5744. The computer tells me to expect a muzzle velocity of 1500 fps. That means, without the brake, it will generate about 20 ft/lb of felt recoil. With the brake on (it’s removable), take 25% off. That means about 15 ft/lb on my shoulder.

But really, it’s a 45-70. Is it worth the bother? Um, yes…

The original black powder 45-70 cartridge almost wiped out the buffalo in the 1800s. It used simple, lead bullets exiting the muzzle at 1100 or 1200 fps. According to Wikipedia, there were 60 million bison roaming the North American plains in 1800. By 1900, there were only 300 left! I guess the 45-70 had the juice!

45-70 (centre) flanked by a 223 Rem and a 303 British

Considering the average male buffalo (American Bison) weighed about 1100 lb (but could reach 2600 lb), was about 10 feet long and about 5 to 6 feet high at the high point on their backs, their size and body thickness didn’t protect them from a slow moving, old timey, 400+ grain lead bullet!

More on this rifle later.