Single Shot Mountain Rifle Build: CVA Scout

What's your rough weight on this guy?
I’ll check. It’s not light but is very packable. I think after it’s finished it will be a little better. I’m mainly going to use it for a pack gun off my enduro. Of course that depends on how well it shoots. There is also storage inside the tube of the stock. Thinking I’ll probably put a little cleaning kit inside.
 
Thanks sir, appreciate it. Mine is "a tank" as well - It was over 9.5lbs with an LRHS on it. I switched to an SWFA fixed 10x, and that brought it to just over 8.5lbs.

So I guess if a guy is thinking of using on of these for a lightweight build.... maybe not so much.

They sure are darn compact though - Really enjoy packing it on the pack frame.
Little thing is a tank. 9lbs 5oz
 
Took it out to see how it did with five different factory loads. Not picky. 1.75” was the largest, 1.25” was the smallest. Each was a five shot group. I think it’s promising. Hopefully they tighten up but I’m definitely not complaining. Got a machinist friend that is going to chop, thread and flute it. I’ll post pics when he’s done.
 
I had one in 300 blk out that I wish I wouldn't have got rid of. It was a lot of fun with sub sonics. At 16" with a suppressor, I could hold it with one hand to my side and it not touch the ground.
 
Thanks sir, appreciate it. Mine is "a tank" as well - It was over 9.5lbs with an LRHS on it. I switched to an SWFA fixed 10x, and that brought it to just over 8.5lbs.

So I guess if a guy is thinking of using on of these for a lightweight build.... maybe not so much.

They sure are darn compact though - Really enjoy packing it on the pack frame.
These rifles are “best” left in their factory configuration, aside from maybe chopping the barrel down to 16-18”. The adjustable stock mod ends up weighting more and costing several hundred dollars. That plastic factory stock weights like 6-8oz if memory serves me correct.

Adding a 25-30oz scope, bipod and 7” long suppressor is going to weight the gun down significantly.
These guns are “best” setup in my opinion, with fixed power SWFA’s, SWFA 3-9’s or ideally SWFA UL’s. An LVPO wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

Again, mine with a 20” barrel, stock pouch loaded with ammo & pocket knife weighted in at 7.10#
Is that “ultra light”… no, but 7# is a practical hunting weight in my opinion.
IMG_7989.jpeg
 
These rifles are “best” left in their factory configuration, aside from maybe chopping the barrel down to 16-18”. The adjustable stock mod ends up weighting more and costing several hundred dollars. That plastic factory stock weights like 6-8oz if memory serves me correct.

Adding a 25-30oz scope, bipod and 7” long suppressor is going to weight the gun down significantly.
These guns are “best” setup in my opinion, with fixed power SWFA’s, SWFA 3-9’s or ideally SWFA UL’s. An LVPO wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

Again, mine with a 20” barrel, stock pouch loaded with ammo & pocket knife weighted in at 7.10#
Is that “ultra light”… no, but 7# is a practical hunting weight in my opinion.
View attachment 744498
That’s a cool little setup!

Totally agree if using for a backpack rifle. As for my needs it’s being carried by my bike and I don’t intend on carrying it more than maybe a mile at most. Being compact, fairly quick to deploy and able to shoot with decent accuracy out to 500 is my goal with it. It’s a fun project that I currently enjoy tinkering with.
 
I have a CVA 45/70 rifle, 44mag rifle and 44 mag pistol. I really like them, but they're not exactly lightweight. I also have a T/C Contender with an SSK 30-30 barrel, and the trigger is actually better on the CVA's than the contender.
 
they're not exactly lightweight

My scout 2 had a huge telephone pole of a 26" bull barrel on it and probably weighed 8 pounds. Kinda ruins what is otherwise a fantastic budget rifle.

Unfortunately it takes a lot of metal to make a break-action high pressure rifle. I wish they'd make a mountain-hunting centric one. They could probably make a .30-06 classed rifle around 5 pounds if they wanted to.
 
I have a CVA 45/70 rifle, 44mag rifle and 44 mag pistol. I really like them, but they're not exactly lightweight. I also have a T/C Contender with an SSK 30-30 barrel, and the trigger is actually better on the CVA's than the contender.

“Lightweight” is a relative term. For me personally, a 6-7# weight range rifle is “lightweight” and anything sub 6# is “Ultra Lightweight” in my opinion.
- That’s hunt ready weight, not factory weight.

I personally see no need for 4-5# hunting rifles, they don’t shoot as good in actual field positions as 7-8# rifles for me personally.

The CVA Scout triggers are surprisingly good for a ~$300 ish rifle. I’ll continue to recommend the Scouts to anybody wanting a budget oriented hunting rifle.
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Just picked up a SS 350L takedown model. It's very nice, shoots great, and compact but a bit of a pig. 20 inch barrel with a Burris 3-9 and YMH R9 it weighs over 8 lbs.

Looking at it it appears the frame could be heavily scalloped where it says 'scout' with an end mill on a lathe. Anyone tried this? Assume an easy 1 oz per inch on the barrel chop, should theoretically shave 6-8 oz off it w/o getting crazy. Thoughts?
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Just picked up a SS 350L takedown model. It's very nice, shoots great, and compact but a bit of a pig. 20 inch barrel with a Burris 3-9 and YMH R9 it weighs over 8 lbs.

Looking at it it appears the frame could be heavily scalloped where it says 'scout' with an end mill on a lathe. Anyone tried this? Assume an easy 1 oz per inch on the barrel chop, should theoretically shave 6-8 oz off it w/o getting crazy. Thoughts?

How much money are you willing to spend?
Are you willing to compromise the structural integrity over a potential loss of 6-8OZ?

IMO a barrel chop to 16.5” and utilizing the YHM Direct Thread adaptor will get you close to that 6-8oz mark.
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Just picked up a SS 350L takedown model. It's very nice, shoots great, and compact but a bit of a pig. 20 inch barrel with a Burris 3-9 and YMH R9 it weighs over 8 lbs.

Looking at it it appears the frame could be heavily scalloped where it says 'scout' with an end mill on a lathe. Anyone tried this? Assume an easy 1 oz per inch on the barrel chop, should theoretically shave 6-8 oz off it w/o getting crazy. Thoughts?
I would not reduce the frame. T/c contenders are known to stretch frames with high pressure loads. I would look at removing barrel weight, either reducing length or diameter.
 
I was also surprised how much this little rifle weighed when I got it. However since it is so short it carries lighter than it is. I would rather carry it than a rifle 8 oz lighter but 6 inches longer.
 
I would not reduce the frame. T/c contenders are known to stretch frames with high pressure loads. I would look at removing barrel weight, either reducing length or diameter.
I wasn't aware of the frame stretch issue. Thank you
 
Happy to see others enjoying these fun little rifles. Here’s mine. I took some off the forend and laid a layer of epoxy to mount an arca rail. Mounted a qd socket on one side. MDT spare round holder on the other. Threaded the barrel. Sharps bros grip with pic interface and black collar arms stock. MDT grnd pod bipod. AB suppressor. Total package with 3 rounds, bipod, scope, sling, and suppressor is right at 10lbs. 10.02.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6227.jpeg
    IMG_6227.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 11
  • IMG_6225.jpeg
    IMG_6225.jpeg
    1,010.7 KB · Views: 11
Back
Top