Preface
CVA has been making firearms for longer than I’ve been around. I have had the luck to try several different CVA rifles and today I am excited to bring you yet another one. The Cascade line of rifles has quite a few different models, and among them you will find the Long-range Hunter model we are evaluating today. This one even has a bit of a fun twist as its chambered in what many of you might consider a new cartridge. Steep another cup of tea folks because I may wax heavily on this one; the CVA Cascade Long-Range Hunter in 25 Creedmoor.
The CVA Cascade LRH
Connecticut Valley Arms has long made muzzleloaders and other products, but when they came under the roof of BPI Outdoors things blossomed. The CVA Cascade is a bolt-action rifle series that uses a three-lug bolt timed and retained in the receiver by a keyed bolt-stop on the left side.
Several other custom action features are also incorporated, such as using popular trigger system like the Remington 700. Additionally the Cascade uses two receiver screws in front of and behind the magwell, in stead of the traditional tang-mounted rear screw. I am no stranger to the Cascade, you can see my other experiences here.
These features help make the Cascade robust and smooth in its operation. The LRH model of the rifle also comes with a 20 MOA canted scope rail to maximize the elevation adjustment in your chosen riflescope. And in front of the action you will find a high quality barrel from CVA’s sister company Bergara. The muzzle is threaded and crowned with a radial muzzle brake to help reduce recoil.
All this is mounted in a synthetic stock with a few features packed in as well. There is an adjustable comb in the buttstock, that can be quickly changed using only a thumbscrew. The length of pull can also be changed by adding or removing a spacer under the recoil pad.
Feeding the rifle is done using CVA’s proprietary polymer magazine. The magazine fits flush to the bottom of the stock, and is easily removed by pulling back on a recessed button at the front. Dropping the magazine into the palm of your hand.
Specifications
| Caliber | 25 Creedmoor |
| Barrel Length | 24-Inches |
| Barrel | #5 Contour Bergara fluted |
| Barrel twist rate | 1:7.5-Inches |
| Capacity | 4-Rounds |
| Weight | 8.5 pounds |
| Muzzle | Radial Brake mounted on ⅝-24 TPI |
| Trigger | Adjustable 2-4 Pounds |
| Stock | Synthetic adjustable comb & LOP dual front sling studs |
| Finish | Cerakote |
| Scope Rail | 20 MOA cant |
Initial Impressions and Range Prep
Some of you know I played a small part in initial testing and development of the 25 Creedmoor. So I am quite fond of and familiar with the cartridge. So I pieced together some of my favorite handloads to test in this rifle.
I wanted a good scope for this project to ensure I could milk every bit of performance out of the rifle. For that purpose I selected my Kahles K318i, it has an immaculate view with robust and repeatable controls. I mounted the scope in a set of Area 419 34mm rings that were torqued down to the Cascade’s scope rail.
As I typically do, I’d throw on a Harris bipod for support. And I grabbed a couple different suppressors to see how they played together.
On the range
Against my will, I went to a public range for initial testing due to time constraints. It would serve me well to see which of my handloads it liked, and get a good solid zero. As well as get some good velocity numbers.
As it turns out, the Cascade shew an affinity for my favorite 25 Creedmoor load; the 131 Sierra Match King over H4350. I have a stack of 131’s, some of which used to be named the Blackjack 131 Ace. But thats another story…
I also tried my favorite 128 ELDX load that my other rifle loves, and some 134 ELDM’s and 135 Tipped Match Kings. The others show promise, but the 131 would work perfectly for now. At 2800 FPS it does fantastic.
In the Field
After a solid range trip, getting enough action with the Cascade to consider the barrel semi broke-in. I decided to take the rifle into my usual haunts here in the high Rocky Mountains. The thin air at eight and nine-thousand feet are where the 131’s fly like a tiny cruise missile. And over the last decade I have sent many of them between these mountain peaks, taking Mule Deer, Marmots, Squirrels, and even Elk.
I prefer testing precision rifles up in this country, where distances are unlimited and situations are real. The Cascade Long-Range Hunter was made for it too, so it makes sense to test it thus.
Why 25?
Twenty-five caliber rifles are nothing new, but what makes the 25 Creedmoor stand out you might be asking. When the 131 bullet was originally released, it was cutting edge for the bore size. And it required a much faster twist than previous .257 bullets, with 7-7.5 twist becoming standard for it. The design pushed the 25CM ahead of its 6.5 sibling, at least by the numbers. With its high ballistic coefficient (BC) the 131 could be pushed faster than most any 6.5 bullet of comparable BC.
This made the 25CM flatter shooting, and harder hitting than most 6.5 Creedmoor options. Just as we expected, the competition saw this performance and looked to chase it. Other manufacturers like Berger and Hornady brought several of their own high BC .257 bullets to market. And now we all live in a world where 25-caliber rifles are not so antiquated.
Hunting these same mountains every fall has given me the opportunity to use the 25 Creedmoor extensively. In fact the very first year after I had built one, we shot something like 4 Mule Deer and two cow elk. With typical distances being between three and six-hundred yards. The 131, like other Match King bullets I have used dropped them right in their tracks. It is a fantastic western hunting round.
Shootability
Lets start off with the action operation. I really like the three-lug design of the Cascade, the resulting bolt-lift is shorter and faster. The smooth stroke of the Cascade bolt reminds me of a fine custom action, it really does feel better than its price point.
Using a 700 style trigger means you can change and adjust it, but it feels just fine as it to be honest. The grip angle is nice, and I like the flat forend of the stock. Having the ability to adjust the comb height is a big bonus, I didn’t need to change spacers for length of pull. But its nice to know you can.
I am torn on the magazine; On one hand, the Cascade polymer magazine is as smooth and functional as can be. My brass looks immaculate after shooting, without so much as a light scratch anywhere. On the other hand I might prefer the more common AICS style magazines for compatibility. The only complaint I could come up with on the mag is that it is a touch shorter inside than AICS mags.
Reliability
As I just mentioned, this rifle feeds like a dream from its magazine. The extractor is a sliding plate type on the bolt-face, and it works great. Its single plunger also does a fine job of tossing the brass free of the action.
There is very little to go wrong with this rifle, as with most good bolt action rifles. The only way it could be better I suppose it the old controlled round feeding of the past. But pretty much every modern design is a push feed one, and I am fine with it.
I did find that some of my handloads ended up being slightly longer than the magazine would reliably cycle. It appears the chamber is throated long enough for these loads, but they wont feed properly from the mag due to their length. Obviously this is only an issue for those particular loads. Everything else ran great.
Accuracy
It took a few rounds for the barrel to settle down, and I tried a few different bullets to see what she liked. But in the end, the Cascade LRH did a fine job shooting accurately. Achieving 1/2 MOA groups was not a problem with my custom loads. These same loads have been used to take down a Mule Deer at distances so far away it might be considered reckless by some.
Shooting the Cascade LRH in the high country only confirmed my accurate estimation. Making repeatable hits on 1 MOA targets was easy, giving first round hits out to 750 yards on the first trip out. This of course due to some very solid dope I already had in my ballistic calculator.
Ergonomics
I mentioned the comfortable stock already, as well as the smooth bolt-manipulation. But I must says again it is very nice to have the adjustability of the comb, as I expect I will be testing other scopes on this rifle in the future. Also, if you were having a youth hunt with this rifle, it is very nice to be able to knock off some length on the butt stock.
The texture of the stock also makes a nice surface for gripping, even when its wet. And carrying the rifle on a sling against your shoulder is made more comfortable because of the dual front sling-studs. Attaching a bipod to the front stud, keeps the bipod from digging into your shoulder while hiking.
Value
I must say I was surprised the Cascade LRH wasn’t priced a little higher. With an MSRP between $980 and $1,050 depending on caliber and configuration, I thought it is a pretty fair price. But street prices hover right around the $900 mark, which makes this rifle a great buy.
Its priced very similarly to the very popular Tikka T3, which many consider to be top notch for less expensive production precision guns. But the Cascade LRH offers more long-range friendly features you’ll pay extra for on the Tikka. Things like included muzzle brake, adjustable comb and LOP, and a 20 MOA scope rail. I’m not shitting on the Tikka here, just pointing differences out.
Pros and Cons
| Smooth reliable action | Longer loaded cartridges won’t fit in mag |
| Good magazine system | |
| Accurate shooting | |
| Adjustable stock | |
| Included 20 MOA scope rail | |
| Comes with muzzle brake and thread protector | |
| Good adjustable trigger |
Final Thoughts
The CVA Cascade Long-Range Hunter has turned out to be a fantastic little rifle. It functions great, it shoots great, it brings all the features that a long-range hunter is looking for. The fact that this one is chambered in one of my favorite cartridges is just icing on the cake. For what you pay for this rifle I think you get a fantastic little rifle.