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Long-Range Hunting with the CVA Cascade LRH 25 Creedmoor

July 13, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware25 creedmoor, 25cm, BPI, cascade, conneticut valley arms, cva, long range hunter, LRHcoldboremiracle

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.

here you can see the 20 MOA scope rail and the bolt-stop/release

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.

the bolt lift on the Cascade is short and smooth

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.

the fluted 24-inch barrel is threaded 5/8-24 and comes with a thread protector as well

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.

adjusting comb height is quick and easy using the thumbwheel

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.

the fantastic slippery magazine fed these brand new Sierra 135 Tipped Match Kings flawlessly

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.

the range ready Cascade LRH with my **Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor**

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…

had to let the kids shoot the Cascade as well, they might be hunting with it later this fall

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.

getting velocity from the **Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph**

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.

Sierra 131 match king, sierra 135 tipped match king, Hornady 134 ELDM, Hornady 128 ELDX, Hornady, hornady bullets, sierra bullets, sierra, 25 caliber, .257 bullets, long-range, high BC, ballistic coefficient, — Here is a collection of my favorite high BC 25-caliber bullets, Some Berger 133 and 135’s would round out the group

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.

30-06 springfield, 25 creedmoor, 131 sieraa match king, aics magazine, mdr magazine — a couple 25 Creedmoor cartridges next to a 30-06 for comparison

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.

using the rifle for my typical Marmot hunts was a good way to feel it out

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 like the flat-bottomed forend of the stock, allowing me to shoot off my **Two Vets Tripod** easily

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.

dual sling studs help keep the bipod out of you shoulder while hiking

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.

this rifle was built for long-range hunting

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.

additional backcountry testing using the **Banish Backcountry suppressor**

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

25 creedmoor, 134 eldm, hornady, alpha munitions, — Alpha Munitions makes excellent brass for the 25 Creedmoor

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.

-CBM

CVA Cascade SB

April 30, 2025Product review, Shooting hardware6.5 creedmoor, cascade, cascade sb, cva, cva cascade sbcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Today we are bringing you another rifle review, and I’m a bit excited about this one. Our subject is the CVA Cascade, which entails quite a few models. The model we are looking at today is the Cascade SB which I assume means Short Barrel. I’ve had the luck of playing with another Cascade in the past, and I quite enjoyed it. So I was excited to see how this newer model performed to see what if anything changed.

CVA cascade, cascade SB, 6.5 creedmoor, athlon optics, heras spr,

The CVA Cascade SB

The Cascade is a bolt action rifle, with a three lug bolt resulting in a 60 degree lift. It has a similar design to the Ruger American action, using the bolt release as a bolt stop to prevent it’s aft travel as well as to keep the bolt clocked properly.

note rear action screw in front of the trigger, instead of on the tang

A Remington 700 style trigger is used, and it is fed by a detachable magazine that holds 4-rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor. There is an interesting change from typical bolt-action design; the rear action screw has been placed in front of the trigger, instead of in the tang at the rear of the action.

The threaded eighteen-inch barrel is of a slightly heavier profile than typical hunting rifles, but I am here for it. I like the performance of medium weight barrels over the skinny barrels typically used on hunting rifles.

CVA Cascade Short Barrel 6.5 Creedmoor
Weight	6.8 Pounds
Barrel Length	18-Inches
Barrel Twist	1:8 inches
Barrel Thread	⅝-24
Finish	Graphite Black Cerakote
Overall Length	38.5-Inches
Length of Pull	14-Inches
Capacity	4+1 rounds
Safety	2-Position
Stock	Polymer w/ Veil Tactical Black Camo Finish

CVA Cascade History

CVA is a well known brand among smoke pole subscribers, I can remember hearing about CVA muzzleloaders as far back as I can remember. Connecticut Valley Arms has been around since the early seventies, and before entering the centerfire market had been best known for pioneering inline muzzleloader rifles. Their bolt-action inline muzzleloaders likely had something to do with the Cascade’s development. As it would seem they decided to bring their manufacturing and knowledge to the centerfire realm with the Cascade series of rifles.

the Cascade SB fit perfectly into my **Eberlestock Just One backpack**

CVA has been aided in their ascent by its parent company BPI Outdoors, who purchased the company just before the turn of the last century. BPI manufactures multiple brands in the same space as CVA, which also adds to their knowledge and position.

CVA Cascade SB Review

As usual, I would take the Cascade up into the Rocky Mountains above my home to test it out. The solitude seems to help focus on the function and flaws of the guns I test. But before we got to that point, I would need to prepare the rifle for this outing.

First up the rifle would need a scope, I settled on using the Athlon Optics Heras SPR 6-24×56. The rifle had come with some Weaver scope ring bases installed, so I simply bolted up the scope using a set of Warne split rings. With the scope leveled and mounted I boresighted it using my toolless method. Next up I would stick a Harris 6-9 bipod to the front sling-stud for supported shooting. And lastly because I’m a purist, I installed my Banish Meateater suppressor on the muzzle. Before doing so I changed out the suppressor’s muzzle bushing to the smaller 6.5 for maximum suppression.

I gathered up a variety of ammunition to test in the rifle, with factory options from Federal, Hornady, and Sierra. And again because of the purist in me, I also brought some of my favored handloads to see how the Cascade liked them.

CVA cascade, cascade SB, 6.5 creedmoor, athlon optics, heras spr, PVA Jetblast Muzzle brake — the PVA Jet Blast muzzle brake was an excellent option for the Cascade

For maximum compactness, I also shot the Cascade with only a muzzle brake installed. For that I used the Patriot Valley Arms 6.5 Jet Blast brake. It is self timing, and very lightweight, which makes it quick and easy to install and remove. And it is exceptional at reducing felt recoil while shooting, even with a modest cartridge like the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Shootability

The oversized bolt handle makes for easy operation of the action. It has a smooth lift and stroke, better I would say than some of the typical comparable actions. There is less slop in the bolt while it is open, giving a much better feel of quality and control.

It came as no surprise that the trigger felt great, while I saw no reason to adjust it. I like knowing that I can. It’s also nice to know you could swap it out for one of the popular aftermarket triggers like Timney or Trigger Tech.

With such solid construction, the Cascade SB has minimal recoil, particularly with a suppressor or muzzle brake installed. I could see myself adding a stock pack to the rifle, as the comb is a touch low for the scope as I had it mounted.

Reliability

Cycling cartridges through the Cascade was fantastic. The polymer magazine is particularly slippery, which resulted in flawless feeding. So smooth in fact that there is little difference between running the action with or without cartridges. The bolt uses a sliding extractor to pull the cartridge from the chamber, and the single plunger ejector does a fine job of expelling the spent cases from the action.

bolt-head detail, note extractor design and ejector plunger

While we experienced no malfunctions while shooting the Cascade SB, it did seem that because of the tight fit of the bolt to the action, it was susceptible to crud building up. After shooting quite a bit, some of the debris from shooting did cause the feel of the bolt to suffer a little. Not a huge deal, but worth noting.

Ergonomics

I will say this about the rifle, as I pulled it naked from the factory box, my first impression was different. I wouldn’t say the gun is heavy, but it feels thick and stout. It has a robust and solid feel that delivers a great sensation of quality.

The rubberized exterior is very easy to grip, and feels good in the hands. The buttstock too is very unlikely to slip out of place, as it too has a soft rubber feel. This helped when running the oversized bolt knob, generally there is great purchase on everything. The safety requires a fair amount of pressure to engage, which is fine by me. That makes it harder to accidentally safe the rifle in the heat of shooting.

Releasing the magazine from the rifle is done at the front of the magwell. It was very easy to eject the magazine, I was actually worried it might be too easy, resulting in a lost magazine. But the release is safely recessed to avoid just such a thing.

Accuracy

I had a lot of hope for the Cascade in the accuracy department. I wouldn’t say I was let down, I was just hoping it was going to be a touch better. It definitely liked the Sierra Bullets Match King ammunition, and would regularly print 3/4 MOA five shot groups. I am quite confident that with a little load work up I can get it shooting even better.

As it was, I was using the Cascade SB to engage targets the size of a deers vitals at 300 and 450 yards without a care in the world. It certainly made me wish I was deer hunting with this little rifle instead of just playing.

CVA cascade, cascade SB, 6.5 creedmoor, athlon optics, heras spr, target, accuracy — a typical group from the Cascade SB shooting **SIerra Match King ammunition**

Value

A quick search of the internet shows the Cascade SB we tested here today can be had for under $650. In my opinion that is a pretty good price for what you are getting. There is a great deal of competition for rifles like this in the four to seven-hundred dollar price range. For a touch more money you can get something very similar like a Franchi Momentum or a Tikka T3. And for a little less money, you can get something like a Ruger American Gen 2. All of these are good choices, and very competitive. I would say that the Cascade seems to match the quality of the higher price point rifles mentioned above, despite its lower price.

Cascade Pros and Cons

Keeping in the same line of comparison with those other comparable rifles, I wish the Cascade had a higher comb to rest your cheek on. Both the Ruger and Franchi mentioned have a high-comb that is perfect for sight alignment. And while 6.8 pounds isn’t heavy in my opinion, the Cascade could shave a little more weight by adding some flutes to the barrel. Some folks might prefer the rifle was fed by AI pattern magazines, and I’ll admit it wouldn’t hurt my feelings. But as good as this magazine works and fits flush, I’d keep it just like it is.

All three of these rifles can be found at Sportsman’s Warehouse

The action on this rifle feels great, it cycles cartridges smoothly and is built to last. Great trigger and magazine operation matched by good looks across the board on this rifle. There is little not to like about the Cascade, it is compact and great for maneuvering through forests and mountains. And it shoots as good as it looks.

Final Thoughts on the Cascade SB

I was very optimistic about how I would feel about this rifle, and after shooting it for a few weeks now I think those feelings were right. The CVA Cascade SB is a very stout little rifle, it has smooth function with fantastic features for hunters. It is compact and very maneuverable which is handy when you are pursuing anything. It shoots well and has very reliable operation, again, one of the few things I would change if I could would be to flute the barrel to lower weight. But even that isn’t much of a problem. I really like the Cascade SB, and I look forward to taking it into the forests this fall to put it against our mule deer and elk. I expect it will perform very well.

-CBM

CVA Cascade 350 legend

April 25, 2023Product review, Shooting hardware350 legend, cascade, cvacoldboremiracle

Introduction

CVA started out making muzzle-loaders back in the 1970’s, but has continued to grow into a much larger company with an ever expanding product line. Their muzzle-loaders have modernized the more primitive ancestor to our modern firearms, and have been among the top selling muzzle-loaders for some time. Today we are talking about one of their more recent developments, the CVA Cascade is the companies first venture into centerfire bolt-action rifles. The Cascade is a bolt-action rifle using a three-lug seventy-degree bolt, and fed by a detachable box magazine.

The Cascade is available in many different and popular short and long-action cartridges. It comes in a synthetic stock available in either a grey color or their custom camo pattern. The rifle I am reviewing today is chambered in the 350 Legend cartridge, a great choice for short range hunting and one I am familiar with already. What remained unknown to me was whether or not the Cascade would meet my needs in a deer rifle.

A first bolt-action

After some initial inspection of the Cascade, I came to the conclusion that CVA had done a little homework before making this rifle. The three lug bolt is indexed on the keyway-like bolt-catch on the left side. It works double time by keeping the bolt timed properly, and acts as a stop when pulled to the rear.

The action reminded me of the Ruger American action, they seemed quite similar though each has its benefits. The seventy-degree bolt-lift was very refreshing, I’m a big fan of easy to run bolts and this one is certainly that. The short lift and smooth stroke make the bolt very easy to run, and run fast.

The glass-filled nylon stock has a soft touch finish making it quite grippy and comfortable, the model I received came with the Veil Wildland camouflage pattern. Up front there are two sling sluds to instal both a sling and a bipod which is quickly becoming standard equipment. The safety is mounted on the right side of the action tang.

Underneath the rifle is the detachable box magazine, released from the front with a flush-mounted release lever to avoid accidental release. The magazine is made from a polymer blend, and holds five 350 Legend cartridges. I assume the other short action cartridge magazines are slightly different than this straight-walled 350 L magazine. The twenty-inch barrel is threaded 5/8-24 at the muzzle for those that want to add muzzle embellishments.

Range Prep

Before hitting the range with the Cascade, I needed to get a few things squared away. I mounted up a good scope from Crimson Trace in a set of Warne 30mm rings, I was pleased to find out that the Cascade is compatible with Savage 110 Accu Trigger Scope bases. This may not sound like much, but being a very popular pattern opens the door for you to use a wide variety of quality scope mounting components. Once I had everything mounted level and eye relief set, I torqued down the rings.

Next I installed a Harris bipod on the front sling stud, I rarely shoot without a bipod of one kind or another so I knew I may as well install it before leaving. I also grabbed my Yankee Hill Machine Nitro N20 suppressor, being a titanium 9mm suppressor and rated for the 350L I figured it would be a perfect companion for the rifle. All that was left was some ammunition procurement to make as many holes as I needed to.

Rangetime

It was time to have fun with this little rifle, so I loaded up my gear and headed into the snowy Rocky Mountains to see what it could do. I spend a lot of time hiking through these mountains, and I always have a rifle with, and they are usually much heavier than this one. It was very refreshing to feel the light weight of the Cascade in my hands, it was easily carried one-handed with the grippy finish of the stock.

This rifle would be excellent for deer hunting in near any country, but I think the 350 Legend cartridge is better suited for flatter country. For these big Rocky Mountain spaces I would feel better with the rifle chambered in 7-08 or 6.5 PRC, or one of the many other excellent cartridges you can get the Cascade chambered in. This 350 Legend is better suited for shots inside two or three-hundred yards where its energy is still high.

Shop CVA rifles here (even if its a muzzleloader I wont judge you)

I had bore-sighted the rifle prior to leaving the house, so I was ready to shoot the rifle on paper as soon as I’d setup my target. After adjusting a few shots to get a solid zero, I fired my first group to see if the Cascade lived up to its one MOA guarantee. The first two groups were not what I would consider acceptable, but I can assure you that can be squarely blamed on the ammunition. I was shooting Winchester 145 grain ammo, which is notorious for inconsistency. I would probably have thrown it out if ammo wasn’t such a hard thing to come by, instead I figured I would just harvest the brass from it by using it up. Once I switched over to a better ammunition type, things certainly looked better. Three shots were easily one MOA or better, which made me feel much better about the ability to hit a deer should I need to.

Shooting some Federal 180 soft point ammo definitely produced some better results, and being expanding bullets they would obviously be much better for hunting as well.

I spent the rest of the afternoon getting comfortable and familiar with the Cascade. I really like how smooth the bolt runs, and the polymer magazines are perfectly slippery to let the rounds slide into battery. The trigger feels great, and is easily anticipated to control where you place your shot. Adding a suppressor to the rifle was a brilliant move on my part, the Legend is a fairly tame cartridge, and once suppressed it is even more pleasant to shoot.

Pros and Cons

The Cascade does an great job representing CVA’s first bolt gun. The quality and finish of the rifle are commensurate to its price point, and it holds its own on the range. As I mentioned I think the only thing I would change about this rifle is the chambering, I would love to have it in the 7-08. The fact that it is compatible with Savage scope mounting adds value by vastly opening your mounting options. The nylon stock could be better but it could also be far worse, I wont complain about shooting with it. The detachable box mag while perhaps a little cheap feeling functions flawlessly, and the factory threaded barrel saves you time and money if you want to add a brake or suppressor.

And to top if of, it is simply a handsome rifle. The camouflage pattern looks great, and fits into a great many landscapes.

Read the Conclusion Here

Final thoughts

The CVA Cascade is a great venture into the bolt-action rifle world. I like that CVA didn’t start out with a no-frills bargain-basement rifle destined to sit behind glass in a Super Walmart sporting goods department.

The Cascade fits right into the large group of sporting rifles that perform well enough to make you wonder how we’ve come so far in firearms manufacturing. It wasn’t that long ago that bolt guns made inexpensively with cheap imported parts weren’t worth the ammo you’d waste shooting them.

But nowadays, it seems like you can get a great performance from what was once a bargain price. If you’re looking for your next deer rifle, the CVA Cascade won’t disappoint.

-CBM