CVA Rifles have been around a while, and with this newer offering in the Cascade Long Range Hunter (LRH) I was intrigued to say the least. I’ll be completely honest though: dipping my toe into the uncharted waters of reviewing a new hunting rifle was intimidating. I’ve been a one-rifle owner since purchasing my first Weatherby in the late 1990s from a “trading post.” It’s familiar, comfortable, and has helped me take nearly every animal that currently hangs on my wall.
For years, I’ve listened to the chatter in the hunting world about the many ways to improve as a shooter, particularly when it comes to accuracy at longer distances. It’s no secret that within the realm of hunting rifles, opinions abound, and there’s no shortage of brands chambered in every possible caliber. Eventually, that noise nudged me to set aside my apprehension about branching out from my trusty Weatherby Vanguard and take the plunge on a new rifle: the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter.
CVA Rifles released the Long Range Hunter in 2024, tagging it as a rifle that punches above its price point. That caught my attention…if it rang true. CVA has been around since 1971 and has built a strong reputation for producing tack-driving rifles that don’t break the bank. After several weeks of weighing my options, I settled on the 6.5 PRC cartridge for its versatility and high ballistic coefficient—it resists air drag better, retains velocity longer, and flies flatter with less wind drift. With all of my hunts taking place out West, the 6.5 PRC offers an ideal blend of long-range accuracy and flat-shooting performance that my style of hunting demands.
Over the past year, I’ve put this rifle through a full season of use, abuse, and testing to see how it would perform. Let’s dive into the details.
Key Features: CVA Rifles – Cascade Long Range Hunter Review
The CVA Rifles Cascade LRH (Long Range Hunter) is clearly built with the western hunter in mind and comes standard with a pile of features that help it stand out in a crowded market. The 6.5 PRC I chose features a 24-inch barrel and includes a pre-installed radial muzzle brake. While I began my testing with the factory brake, I eventually opted to add a suppressor to the pre-threaded 5/8×24 Smoked Bronze barrel. I also chose the Realtree “Hillside” stock, though CVA offers a Black stock with Smoked Bronze webbing as well. Both options are sharp and eye-catching.
Weighing in at 8.7 pounds, the CVA Rifles Cascade Long Range Hunter (LRH) is certainly not the lightest rifle on the market. That said, I’m a bigger guy (6’4”, 220) and am very comfortable carrying and shooting a non-ultralight rifle. Out of the box, this rifle is simply sharp-looking. The feature set of the CVA Cascade LRH allows for a level of customization more often associated with much higher-priced rifles.
Some of the key features of the CVA Rifles Cascade LRH include:
- #5 Heavy Contour Bergara Barrel with Fluting
I won’t bore you with the details, but Bergara barrels go through an advanced and extensive manufacturing process to ensure quality and precision. You can learn more about that here: https://www.bergara.online/us/barrels/ - Flat Forend Stock
Excellent for added stability when shooting off a rear rest - Radial Muzzle Brake
Vents gases 360 degrees to reduce recoil - Adjustable Cheek Comb
Allows the shooter to optimize fit for comfort and consistency - 20 MOA Picatinny Rail
Out of the box, the LRH is ready for your preferred optic - Premium Adjustable Trigger (2–4 lbs)
Easily adjustable with a 4/32-inch Allen wrench or 4mm hex wrench - Cerakote Barreled Action
Durable and abrasion-resistant finish - Adjustable Length of Pull
Removable spacers allow LOP adjustment from 13” to 14” to fit a wide range of shooters - Twist Rate: 1:8″
The twist rate refers to how many inches of rifling it takes for the bullet to complete one full rotation - Weight: 8.7 pounds (bare)
- Magazine Capacity: 3 rounds
CVA’s website lists capacity as two rounds, but the magazine will easily fit three
Notably, the Cascade line from CVA includes an “Accuracy & Satisfaction Guarantee,” defined as being “MOA capable.” MOA is more precisely measured as 1.047 inches at 100 yards. For up to 14 days from the date of purchase, the owner can test the rifle to verify MOA groups. If it fails to meet that standard, it can be returned for either a replacement rifle or a full refund. Given my hesitation about branching out, it was reassuring to know that CVA stands behind their product with a money-back guarantee.
To complete the setup on my 6.5 PRC, I paired the rifle with the following:
- Tract Optics TORIC UHD 30mm 2.5–15×44 FFP Illuminated MOA Eagleman Long Range Hunting Scope
- MDT Premier 30mm Medium Height Rings (Sniper Grey)
- Xtreme Low-Profile Aluminum Scope Level (30mm)
- Scopecoat Neoprene Scope Cover
- BANISH Backcountry Suppressor
- Salmon River Solutions ARCA + Picatinny Rail
- Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 Bipod
- Ollin Nexus System (for tripod shooting)
- BPI Outdoors CLAW Sling
I was eager to get this rifle set up to my liking and out to the range. I prefer lighter triggers, and with just a few turns of the wrench, I had it adjusted to just under two pounds. I did notice that the action felt a bit “stiff” out of the box. After lubricating it with some Mil-Spec CLP and cycling the action a handful of times, it smoothed out nicely.
Dialing in the adjustable cheek comb took a bit of trial and error, but once set, it made a noticeable difference. It helped ensure I was consistently aligned behind the scope, making my setup repeatable shot after shot. Repeatability is a key factor in long-range accuracy, and the cheek comb is a very welcome addition in my book. Making the cheek comb adjustable is a feature I genuinely appreciate.
The Testing: CVA Rifles – Cascade Long Range Hunter Review
Now for the fun part—I was genuinely excited to get this rifle out to the range and put it through its paces. To give it a fair shake, I picked up four different types of factory ammunition to see what the CVA Cascade LRH preferred. Full disclosure: I don’t hand load, and factory ammo has always been my go-to. I know there’s a dedicated subset of shooters who achieve incredible performance through meticulous load development, but I’m not one of them.
Here are the ammunition types I tested in the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter Rifle:
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (grains) | AVG Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Group Size (inches) | Standard Deviation (SD) | Extreme Spread (ES) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter 6.5 PRC | |||||
| Federal Terminal Ascent | 130gr | 3099 | ~2″ | 17 | 49.7 |
| Hornady ELD-M | 147gr | 2885 | ~2″ | 20.9 | 46.5 |
| Berger Elite Hunter | 140gr | 2847 | 0.75″ | 16.7 | 64.0 |
| Hornady ELD-X | 143gr | 2961 | 0.86″ | 13.6 | 39.1 |
Over the following months, I made more than a dozen trips to the range and spent more time shooting than I ever have before. After sending several hundred rounds down the pipe, I was able to truly see what this CVA Rifles Cascade Long Range Hunter was capable of. I followed the recommended barrel break-in procedure: firing a single shot, allowing the barrel to cool, and cleaning after each of the first five shots. For the next 50 rounds, I allowed the barrel to cool between shots and cleaned it every ten rounds. While this process adds time at the range, it’s well worth it to ensure proper break-in and optimal long-term barrel performance.
I used the break-in process to determine which loads the LRH preferred, dial in my Tract Optics TORIC UHD 30mm 2.5–15×44, and gather ballistic data using a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph. It didn’t take long to learn that two of the four loads simply didn’t group well in this rifle. I consistently saw mediocre groups (around ±2 MOA), often with the occasional flier. At first, this had me questioning my abilities as a shooter.
The biggest lesson for me was the importance of testing multiple ammo types to find what a rifle truly likes. It’s not exactly easy on the wallet with today’s ammo prices, but it’s an absolutely necessary step if you want to get the best performance from your rifle.
Once the barrel break-in was complete, I decided to put CVA’s MOA Guarantee to the test using the two loads that consistently performed best. For my initial group testing, I shot off a Caldwell Lead Sled to minimize user error as much as possible. I don’t pretend to be an “expert” shooter, and consistently achieving sub-MOA groups is no small task. After eliminating the weaker performers, I settled on the Berger Elite Hunter 140-grain and the Hornady ELD-X 143-grain loads.
I ran multiple rounds of testing—both with and without the Lead Sled—to see if I could achieve the advertised MOA groups. The CVA Cascade LRH absolutely delivered. I was consistently impressed by the groups this rifle produced, with no trouble stacking shots inside the ten-ring once I found the ammo it liked. With either the Berger 140-grain Elite Hunter or the Hornady 143-grain ELD-X, shooting tight groups felt downright easy.
Using my chronograph data and a custom DOPE chart, I eventually stretched things out to 900+ yards. While I don’t consider myself an expert long-range shooter—and would never take a shot at an animal from that distance—this exercise was purely to see what this CVA Rifles Cascade LRH could do. It’s one thing for a rifle to perform at 100 yards; it’s another to maintain consistency well beyond half a mile. Over multiple outings, I was able to dial my Tract TORIC UHD and place shots within inches of my target. Talk about a confidence builder heading into hunting season.
Success in the field is never guaranteed, but knowing your rifle is truly dialed in is a critical first step.
It’s also worth noting that the optic you choose is arguably just as important—if not more so—than the rifle itself. I was beyond impressed with the Tract TORIC UHD, and it played a major role in taking the CVA Cascade LRH to the next level.
As further proof, a buddy joined me at the range one day to sight in his rifle. He was excited about a new scope from a well-known optics brand and asked to take a look through my setup.
Make sure to check out our other gear reviews and the Backwoods Pursuit YouTube Channel to help you decide what gear will help you stay out in the field longer!
After a few shots and a look downrange, his first question was the price. When I told him it retailed for $1,094 on Tract Optics website, his response was immediate: “Why is this so much clearer and brighter than mine?” The kicker? He had paid nearly the same price for his scope. Looking through his optic, the difference in resolution, edge-to-edge clarity and overall brightness was obvious. Buyer’s remorse set in quickly.
I won’t name the overpriced competitor, but I would strongly recommend anyone in the market for high-quality optics take a serious look at Tract’s lineup of rifle scopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes. Their direct-to-consumer model and SCHOTT high-transmission glass deliver performance that punches well above its weight class. You can check them out here.
In the Field: CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter Review – CVA Rifles
After spending countless hours at the range dialing in the CVA Cascade LRH rifle throughout the spring and summer, I was eager to kick off my 2025 hunting season and finally put it to work on a live target. Once the dust settled on my western draws, I ended up with an Idaho mule deer tag in a general unit with plans to hunt the October 10 opener. I also drew a limited-entry mule deer tag for second season (October 25–November 2) and paired it with an OTC bull tag in my home state of Colorado.
I headed into the Idaho hunt with a fairly simple goal: find a respectable buck during the four days I had allotted. This area isn’t known for trophy-quality deer, and locating a mature buck—especially in early October—can be challenging. The first two days felt like a broken record. We spotted plenty of deer, but only a handful of small bucks—nothing I was willing to put a tag on. We covered a lot of country, glassed hard in proven areas, and even backpacked more than five miles deep, all with the same results. Hike. Glass. Hike. Glass. Rinse and repeat.
On the evening of day two, we were set up watching a small group of deer milling around in a slot canyon. Since I hadn’t yet taken an animal with the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter rifle, I decided to do a dry run using the tripod on a small buck—just in case something bigger stepped out. After removing the magazine, checking and re-checking the chamber, and confirming condition four, my brother Luke noticed a slight “wiggle” in the scope as I settled in for a steep uphill practice angle.
A closer inspection revealed that the Picatinny rail had worked slightly loose where it attaches to the action. Needless to say, I was grateful no larger bucks appeared that evening, as my rifle was temporarily out of commission. Back at base camp, we carefully loosened the base screws that connect the rings to the Picatinny rail, removed the scope (still attached to the rings), tightened the Picatinny rail screws, and then reinstalled the scope in the exact same position.
While we avoided a full-blown crisis, it was far from ideal to deal with mid-hunt. After the trip, CVA customer service recommended applying Blue 242 Loctite to the Pic rail screws to prevent future issues (I prefer Vibra-Tite for rings and bases, but both work great). I followed their advice and haven’t had a single problem since.
Early the next morning, we relocated to a new area and were back on the hunt in one of our favorite canyons. After a long hike in the pre-dawn darkness and plenty of time behind the Kowa TSN spotting scopes, we picked up a bachelor group of bucks in the distance—one of which immediately caught our attention. With a perfect ridgeline to conceal our movement, the stalk went flawlessly. We dropped out of sight and executed a semi-frantic “speed stalk,” closing the distance from over a mile to roughly 350 yards before the bucks reached the timber.
Using onX Maps, we had already marked a finger ridge that would put us directly across from the deer and well within range. As we eased into position, we peeked over the ridgeline through cover and saw the bucks calmly feeding, completely unaware of our presence. It was a perfect setup. During the approach, my brother—and fellow BP contributor—Luke insisted I take the first shot, even though he also had an unfilled tag in his pocket. That selflessness made the moment even more meaningful.
Once we confirmed the target buck was still there, we dropped packs and I pulled out my CVA Rifles Cascade LRH from my Exo Mountain Gear 3600 (reviewed here). I got set up prone, using my Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod up front and a Crosstac ulralight rear rest for added stability. With the bucks still none the wiser, Luke set up the spotting scope along with his Ollin Snapshot system to digiscope the shot.
“Are you ready?”
At the report of the 6.5 PRC, the Idaho 4×4 folded immediately. A perfect shot and a storybook ending to an unforgettable hunt. We took a moment to soak it all in—snow drifting down from distant clouds while the sun still shone brightly. It was peaceful, humbling, and felt almost as if our Creator was showing off.
Colorado was next. This hunt was an absolute blast in one of my favorite areas. My brother Gabe and his 14-year-old son, Kaison, joined me along with a videographer. Although it was still late October and the bucks weren’t fully in the rut, the area holds incredible deer numbers. To avoid spoiling the upcoming films, I’ll spare the details—but by the end of the hunt, we filled four of our five tags in just six days. Highlights included Kaison’s first bull elk and Gabe’s best buck to date, a true mid-170s trophy he’s worked years to find.
The Cascade LRH also helped me make a clean, one-shot kill on another high-country 4×4. I couldn’t have been more pleased with how it performed in the field.
What I Liked: CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter Review – CVA Rifles
The Cascade Long Range Hunter is packed with features that made it easy to fall in love with:
- Proven ability to produce sub-MOA groups with factory ammunition
- Excellent value at a price point that’s accessible to a wide range of hunters
- Adjustable trigger (2–4 lbs) allows shooters to fine-tune pull weight to personal preference
- Adjustable cheek comb promotes repeatability and proper eye alignment
- Standard 20 MOA Picatinny rail for quick, hassle-free optic mounting
- Well-balanced design that manages recoil exceptionally well
What I Disliked: CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter Review – CVA Rifles
There wasn’t much I didn’t like about the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter, but there are a couple of takeaways worth noting:
- Picatinny rail screws: Applying some blue 242 Loctite to the screws securing the factory-installed Pic rail is something I wish I had known to do during the initial setup. Better yet, this would be a complete non-issue if CVA applied thread locker during production before the rifle leaves the factory.
- Starting weight (8.7 lbs): There’s no shortage of hunters who favor ultralight rifles, and at 8.7 pounds bare, the Cascade LRH sits on the heavier end of the spectrum for a hunting rifle. It won’t be the right fit for everyone. For me, this is a non-issue—I prefer a sturdy, well-balanced rifle that manages recoil effectively when it matters most. As with many things, rifle weight ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Conclusion: CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter Review – CVA Rifles
After spending a full year—countless hours at the range and multiple successful western hunts—with the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter rifle, I can confidently say it proved to be a fantastic investment. For its price point, I was extremely impressed with its ability to consistently deliver sub-MOA groups. It’s loaded with features that make it easy to tailor the rifle to each individual shooter’s preferences.
If you’re in the market for a new rifle that won’t break the bank but still offers many of the features typically found on much more expensive guns, the CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter is absolutely worth a serious look!
Subscribe to Backwoods Pursuit to get Your FREE Backcountry Gear Worksheet!!!
Dial in your gear list, calculate your pack weight, and lighten up your pack with this handy tool!
