Gun Of The Week: CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter

Welcome to another American Rifleman Gun Of The Week, and this time, we’re headed to the range to examine the Cascade LRH, or Long Range Hunter, from CVA.

Connecticut Valley Arms, or more commonly known as CVA, has been in the gun business since 1971, with a hard focus on blackpowder guns, from traditional side-lock rifles to modern inline types. Now, the CVA product portfolio includes centerfire rifles, and there’s a long-range option offered in its Cascade lineup. Watch the video above to see the Cascade LRH in use on the range.

The CVA Cascade LRH, or long-range hunter, is a turn-bolt rifle equipped with features that help make long shots possible, yet it retains the refinements needed in a hunting rifle to make long treks possible. And, since it is billed as a hunting rifle, CVA offers many of today’s favored short- and long-action chamberings in its Cascade LRH, so whether you need a 6.5 mm Creedmoor, or .300 Win. Mag, there’s an option for you. There are also two color packages to choose from as well.

Getting into the nuts and bolts of this rifle, starting off, of course, you get the Cascade action, which is made of a 4140 steel receiver. Internally, you’ll find CVA uses a three-lug bolt fashioned to a large-bodied, steel bolt with a tactical-style bolt knob. This arrangement makes for a smooth repeating rifle that allows for quick follow-up shots. As for the barrels here, chamber selection will dictate its length, but CVA offers these in 22”, 24” and 26”.

Unlike original Cascade rifle barrels, the ones used here on the LRH are thicker for better accuracy. To mitigate the added weight of the larger barrel, CVA opted to include longitudinal flutes to carve out some weight. In addition, the barrels are threaded 5/8x24 TPI and come with a radial muzzle brake to knock down felt recoil. A Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish complements the metal work with a durable finish that blends well with the stock’s Realtree Hillside camo pattern.

Making this gun a long-range performer is of course its build quality, but there’s a few other things that help along the way, such as the rifle’s rigid stock. Like its trigger, external adjustment makes fine tuning the gun to your needs a breeze. Atop the receiver, too, is a one-piece section of Picatinny rail. This optic rail also features a 20-m.o.a. tilt for long-range work. In addition, you get a nice grip profile that puts the shooter in a natural and comfortable shooting position.

From our day at the range, our testers unanimously agree the Cascade LRH is a potent choice for extended-range work. With its smooth action and included radial muzzle brake, split times between shots was found to be faster than guns without this feature-set. A few standouts are the included Picatinny rail, detachable box magazine, triple sling studs and adjustable cheekpiece of the stock, making it a gun that goes beyond the conventional hunting rifle. And the fact length-of-pull is adjustable, our testers see this is a gun nearly anyone can get behind.

CVA Cascade LRH Specifications
Manufacturer: Connecticut Valley Arms
Action Type: bolt-action, repeating, centerfire rifle
Chambering: .308 Win.
Barrel: 22" steel; Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish
Receiver: 4140 steel; Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish
Magazine: three-round detachable box
Sights: none; 20-m.o.a. Picatinny rail
Stock: adjustable synthetic; Realtree Hillside camouflage finish
Trigger: 2- to 4-lb. adjustable
Overall Length: 45"
Weight: 8 lbs., 8 ozs.

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