- Joined
- Jun 17, 2020
- Messages
- 673
- Reaction score
- 622
I have had an opportunity to thoroughly RANGE test the CVA wolf. I'd like to give my final assessment after dealing with some issues.
The overall construction
and look of this budget riffle is impressive.
Everything is nice and tight and the seams are very tight. It looks sleek and modern the plastic used is not feel cheap.
Also mine is stainless which seems to have a cerakote type finish. Easy to wipe down and feels nice to the touch.
....
The action and trigger
are remarkable simple non adjustable not too heavy with a bit of uptake a clear wall and a nice break. Overall a pleasure.
...
The sights.
Mine came with iron sights. They are metal and we'll constructed. Although I have not used them much they are quality.
I don't like the fact the aftermarket rails feature weaver style. It's just my personal opinion but I wish the Weaver style of rails would die and just go away.
There are picatiny options they cost slightly more and to be honest it is worth it for this rifle.
...
The breachplug
is absolutely fantastic and has never left me with a misfire. It has never been too stiff to take out with anything other than my hand. I quickly removed the anti-seize from the factory and added the thin layer of Grease.
As a practice after every shot I open the breach wipe it off a little put a pin in the hole a drill bit on the other side even though it's not necessary.
the only thing that I don't like about the design of the breach bug is the large cavity that you can't get to in the middle that will inevitably store black powder and is hard to clean even with the good soak you don't know what's behind there.
However the breach plug if it ever does need to be replaced is available and is not that expensive. matter of fact I don't know the exact price but I can guarantee you it costs less than a clip for my Sig p320.
...
The recoil pad
Though being a bit stiff is more than adequate and provides comfort in the lighter loads that I use.
...
Disassembly and cleaning
Is amazingly easy and a pleasure once you find the right type of cleaner to use.
Many cleaners work and I have tried many of them. The simplest cheapest and extremely effective is simple dish soap and hot water. Followed by an evaporative spray cleaner such as alcohol mixed with water. Dried thoroughly with a light coat of oil applied.
The breach plug is a bit of a concern when cleaning.if you read the paragraph on the breach plug you'll understand why.
...
Repeatability and fouling.
I swab between every shot and remove and wipe the breachplug every shot. While doing those two things I have been able to shoot this rifle repeatedly literally all day at the range.
My only limitation is when I run out of swabs or the range closes. the design of the CVA breach plug is remarkably easy to remove. although a 209 primer pry cap tool is included I've never needed to use it.
Honestly this in line in particular is an excellent design for keeping clean while shooting and cleaning after you're done.
...
The big factor ACCURACY
Accuracy is incredibly good for a rifle in this price range I don't know what the average muzzleloader shoots.
I have not heard of a sub MOA muzzleloader they may exist out there but my limited experience I haven't heard of one.
That being said this thing is remarkably accurate I can tell you that if I was aiming at a deer I could hit it where I want at 50 yards within an inch.
That's pretty damn good and I'm not a great shooter nor have I 100% dialed in my loads. I pretty much started with a minimum load and stuck with it.
...
The issues
my particular issue had something to do with the rifling upon inspection of other CVA rifles none of the other CVA rifles that I have inspected have the same issue that I did I'm still a little sore about that but the gun even with its issue shoots remarkably accurate and I'm willing to live with it.
As at this point it's more of an internal barrel cosmetic issue that doesn't seem to be affecting accuracy or rusting as I originally thought.
...
Cost per round and using premium versus cheap bullets
I have now and will always start out with the cheapest ammo in any firearm if it shoots with the cheapest ammo and it shoots well why spend more.
I use a very cheap non-jacketed lead hollow point bullet the 45 caliber sabotted for the 50. If I played with more expensive bullets I probably would be getting better groups.
For the purpose of this rifle though the cheap bullets work just fine.
...
Last thoughts and would you recommend it to a friend?
Honestly don't think for the price you could do better. I don't even think if you spent a little more you would do better.
Although I really wanted to hate this rifle I really do enjoy shooting it. I was worried about the recoil but it doesn't seem to recoil too much it does kick pretty good.
However this is not affecting my accuracy at all. I shot from a seated position rested on the bag one handed sniper style. Ideally this is the position that I'd like to be in a blind while hunting.
Would I recommend this rifle to a friend absolutely. I would recommend that you get the stainless steel version I would recommend that you get the scoped version.
...
This has been an honest review if you have any questions please let me know.
The overall construction
and look of this budget riffle is impressive.
Everything is nice and tight and the seams are very tight. It looks sleek and modern the plastic used is not feel cheap.
Also mine is stainless which seems to have a cerakote type finish. Easy to wipe down and feels nice to the touch.
....
The action and trigger
are remarkable simple non adjustable not too heavy with a bit of uptake a clear wall and a nice break. Overall a pleasure.
...
The sights.
Mine came with iron sights. They are metal and we'll constructed. Although I have not used them much they are quality.
I don't like the fact the aftermarket rails feature weaver style. It's just my personal opinion but I wish the Weaver style of rails would die and just go away.
There are picatiny options they cost slightly more and to be honest it is worth it for this rifle.
...
The breachplug
is absolutely fantastic and has never left me with a misfire. It has never been too stiff to take out with anything other than my hand. I quickly removed the anti-seize from the factory and added the thin layer of Grease.
As a practice after every shot I open the breach wipe it off a little put a pin in the hole a drill bit on the other side even though it's not necessary.
the only thing that I don't like about the design of the breach bug is the large cavity that you can't get to in the middle that will inevitably store black powder and is hard to clean even with the good soak you don't know what's behind there.
However the breach plug if it ever does need to be replaced is available and is not that expensive. matter of fact I don't know the exact price but I can guarantee you it costs less than a clip for my Sig p320.
...
The recoil pad
Though being a bit stiff is more than adequate and provides comfort in the lighter loads that I use.
...
Disassembly and cleaning
Is amazingly easy and a pleasure once you find the right type of cleaner to use.
Many cleaners work and I have tried many of them. The simplest cheapest and extremely effective is simple dish soap and hot water. Followed by an evaporative spray cleaner such as alcohol mixed with water. Dried thoroughly with a light coat of oil applied.
The breach plug is a bit of a concern when cleaning.if you read the paragraph on the breach plug you'll understand why.
...
Repeatability and fouling.
I swab between every shot and remove and wipe the breachplug every shot. While doing those two things I have been able to shoot this rifle repeatedly literally all day at the range.
My only limitation is when I run out of swabs or the range closes. the design of the CVA breach plug is remarkably easy to remove. although a 209 primer pry cap tool is included I've never needed to use it.
Honestly this in line in particular is an excellent design for keeping clean while shooting and cleaning after you're done.
...
The big factor ACCURACY
Accuracy is incredibly good for a rifle in this price range I don't know what the average muzzleloader shoots.
I have not heard of a sub MOA muzzleloader they may exist out there but my limited experience I haven't heard of one.
That being said this thing is remarkably accurate I can tell you that if I was aiming at a deer I could hit it where I want at 50 yards within an inch.
That's pretty damn good and I'm not a great shooter nor have I 100% dialed in my loads. I pretty much started with a minimum load and stuck with it.
...
The issues
my particular issue had something to do with the rifling upon inspection of other CVA rifles none of the other CVA rifles that I have inspected have the same issue that I did I'm still a little sore about that but the gun even with its issue shoots remarkably accurate and I'm willing to live with it.
As at this point it's more of an internal barrel cosmetic issue that doesn't seem to be affecting accuracy or rusting as I originally thought.
...
Cost per round and using premium versus cheap bullets
I have now and will always start out with the cheapest ammo in any firearm if it shoots with the cheapest ammo and it shoots well why spend more.
I use a very cheap non-jacketed lead hollow point bullet the 45 caliber sabotted for the 50. If I played with more expensive bullets I probably would be getting better groups.
For the purpose of this rifle though the cheap bullets work just fine.
...
Last thoughts and would you recommend it to a friend?
Honestly don't think for the price you could do better. I don't even think if you spent a little more you would do better.
Although I really wanted to hate this rifle I really do enjoy shooting it. I was worried about the recoil but it doesn't seem to recoil too much it does kick pretty good.
However this is not affecting my accuracy at all. I shot from a seated position rested on the bag one handed sniper style. Ideally this is the position that I'd like to be in a blind while hunting.
Would I recommend this rifle to a friend absolutely. I would recommend that you get the stainless steel version I would recommend that you get the scoped version.
...
This has been an honest review if you have any questions please let me know.
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