Single Shot Mountain Rifle Build: CVA Scout

[Pdzoller]

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.

 

[Pdzoller]

What's your rough weight on this guy?

Little thing is a tank. 9lbs 5oz

 

[yycyak]

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

 

[Pdzoller]

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.

 

[WreckedRooster]

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.

 

[Long Cut]

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.

 

[Pdzoller]

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.

 

[goalie]

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.

 

[Choupique]

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.

 

[Long Cut]

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.

 

[General RE LEE]

Not a mountain rifle build but rather a discreet, suburban eradication build.

Traditions Outfitter G3 take down rifle in 300 Blackout. Shooting 188 grain Discreet ballistics subs. Disassembles and fits in my pack.

 

[peaches]

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?

 

[Long Cut]

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.

 

[Bluefish]

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.

 

[rookieforever33]

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.

 

[peaches]

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