Another off topic rifle question for the braintrust

[txfireguy2003]

Hey guys, a while back I was toying with the idea of a good bolt action deer rifle and asked a few questions about that. Well, the more I think about it, for a hunting gun, why do I need more than one shot? The single shots seem like a better deal to me, since you can buy a new barrel and have, basically a whole new gun with a different caliber.
While at Academy today, I stopped by the gun counter, as I always do, and saw a CVA Optima Elite, chambered in .243, at a pretty dang good price, seems like it was less than $200, but after looking on Gunbroker, I'm thinking I may have remembered wrong and it's just less than $300. Anyway, I've been thinking along the lines of a TC Encore, but this gun was pretty sweet, and a fraction of the cost. Does anybody have experience with CVA rifles? I know some on here use CVA muzzleloaders, but what about the centerfires? Are they comperable to the TC's? How about the cost and availability of barrels? What about the ease of barrel changes? Oppinions needed.

Thanks guys.

[daveally]

If you're going to look at one of the rifles where you can swap the barrels...you might want to check the price of those barrels. The TC Encore barrels are over $200 if I remember right when I saw them at BPS.

As far as wanting a deer rifle with more than one shot...I like being able to immediately chamber another round just in case I didn't make a clean shot or flat out missed and the deer / hog is about to get away.

[weasel]

As far as wanting a deer rifle with more than one shot...I like being able to immediately chamber another round just in case I didn't make a clean shot or flat out missed and the deer / hog is about to get away.

I couldn't have said it better.

[Mike D]

If you're going to look at one of the rifles where you can swap the barrels...you might want to check the price of those barrels. The TC Encore barrels are over $200 if I remember right when I saw them at BPS.

As far as wanting a deer rifle with more than one shot...I like being able to immediately chamber another round just in case I didn't make a clean shot or flat out missed and the deer / hog is about to get away.

With my Encore I can get reloaded and a second shot nearly as fast as a bolt rifle.

If you are wanting to go a multi barrel single shot option, you are going to find a much larger selection for the Encore platform.

[BrianL]

It is not that the barrels are only 200.00, but having to buy a scope for each one. My scopes cost as much as most of my guns. You might check on QA rings and just have one quality scope though.

[Old Goat1]

Hey guys, a while back I was toying with the idea of a good bolt action deer rifle and asked a few questions about that. Well, the more I think about it, for a hunting gun, why do I need more than one shot? The single shots seem like a better deal to me, since you can buy a new barrel and have, basically a whole new gun with a different caliber.
While at Academy today, I stopped by the gun counter, as I always do, and saw a CVA Optima Elite, chambered in .243, at a pretty dang good price, seems like it was less than $200, but after looking on Gunbroker, I'm thinking I may have remembered wrong and it's just less than $300. Anyway, I've been thinking along the lines of a TC Encore, but this gun was pretty sweet, and a fraction of the cost. Does anybody have experience with CVA rifles? I know some on here use CVA muzzleloaders, but what about the centerfires? Are they comperable to the TC's? How about the cost and availability of barrels? What about the ease of barrel changes? Oppinions needed.

Thanks guys.

Just an FYI, I went with TC just because of the availibilty of after market barrels and parts. Some of them high quality stuff and you pay for what you get. Shoot both large bore and small bore barrels. So far no problem with accuracy or it just maybe my eyes now. Hope this helps.

[grassmaster]

I would just buy a 270 and be done with it. Plenty of power for anything in North America and you have the ability to chamber 2,3,4 rounds and get them off in the right conditions. I've let 4 fly at a group of hogs running across a pasture. It's fun stuff.

[CaptJack]

As far as wanting a deer rifle with more than one shot...I like being able to immediately chamber another round just in case I didn't make a clean shot or flat out missed and the deer / hog is about to get away.

X2
and I hunt hogs at night with my rifle
my 30.06 holds 5 in the magazine

[Johnny Dangerr]

Got Karen the Sako A7 - 6.5X55.
Incredable plaform that will hold it's value for ever.
You get what you pay for.

[txfireguy2003]

So the consensus is to hold out for the TC then? Any other brands I should be looking at? Knight has that KP-1 I think that looks like a pretty cool firearm. I've never been into all this single shot business, I've always been more of the "TACTICOOL" type, AR's, Rem 700 Sniper type rifles etc. Now I'm looking for a good, all around deer rifle, and the ability to change calibers seems like a nice option. It would also be nice to have a rifle for me, then be able to change the barrel out for a more kid/female friendly caliber. Also seems like the single shots would be the most accurate option out of the box, as well as easy to clean. I may by mistaken on that though.

[BrianL]

Also seems like the single shots would be the most accurate option out of the box, as well as easy to clean. I may by mistaken on that though.

NOt the most accurate out of the box guns, but many shoot dang good. It is not the single shot part, but the break open part that tends to make them less accurate. When compared to your sniper, preditor, compotition type guns.

[Birddog]

Why limit your self buy one or two of each... Then just grab the one that looks good that day.........

[BTLowry]

NOt the most accurate out of the box guns, but many shoot dang good. It is not the single shot part, but the break open part that tends to make them less accurate. When compared to your sniper, preditor, compotition type guns.

I am thinking that if the scope is properly mounted to the barrel then the scope and barrel would be aligned the same every time. What would cause the acuracy to suffer?

[Old Goat1]

NOt the most accurate out of the box guns, but many shoot dang good. It is not the single shot part, but the break open part that tends to make them less accurate. When compared to your sniper, preditor, compotition type guns.

X2
but when they are new, tight, tricked out, or really checked out, they are as good as I can shoot.
Do a little research, and I think you will find your answer.

Again hope this helps you in finding the right tool for the job.

[tvc184]

So the consensus is to hold out for the TC then? Any other brands I should be looking at? Knight has that KP-1 I think that looks like a pretty cool firearm. I've never been into all this single shot business, I've always been more of the "TACTICOOL" type, AR's, Rem 700 Sniper type rifles etc. Now I'm looking for a good, all around deer rifle, and the ability to change calibers seems like a nice option. It would also be nice to have a rifle for me, then be able to change the barrel out for a more kid/female friendly caliber. Also seems like the single shots would be the most accurate option out of the box, as well as easy to clean. I may by mistaken on that though.

I searched a lot of places on google but could hardly find anything about the CVA barrels except in black powder. I found dozens of posts from TC people that said if you don't buy TC then you are messing up but that is expected. It is somewhat like Mathews owners, my way or the highway.

None of the TC owners had any experience that I had seen from themselves or an acquaintance. Just the, TC or else posts. I have no problem with that opinion but it is hardly constructive to the debate.

I did find five posts from people that actually used the CVA Aspen barrels. Four of the five said it was a great gun and shot up to sub one minute groups at 100 yards in a couple of calibers.

One guy had a problem with the barrel he had of not holding a group with any brand ammo but others had no problems with the same caliber. Their conclusion was that he had a barrel with a bad crown and needed to be exchanged or fixed.

So 80% of the small sampling that I could find said the new CVA was great and the one guy had a problem. I don't think that is large enough of a sampling to draw any conclusions. I am curious if the guy has had his problem remedied and if so, how hard was it.

Other than that, spend twice the money for a TC because it is a TC. I don't doubt that they are some of the finest weapons made and worth every penny to their owners. I am just curious like you if the new CVA barrels will be good also or if they will turn out to be junk. Due to the lack of reviews, I think I will wait to draw any conclusions.