Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots CVA Scout 45-70

I recently sold my Marlin in 450 Marlin and I'm already kicking myself for it. I've got a good supply of .458" bullets and several lbs of AA1680 powder that isn't suitable for anything else I have. I was looking at 450's and 45-70's and came across the CVA scot . I've read that the Scout can handle +p loads up to the same level as the marlin lever actions so I should be able to approximate the velocity of my 450 Marlin safely? For those that have the scout how is accuracy in general? Any reliability issues?

I gave my niece my 44mag Handi Rifle after she used it to shoot her first deer, then, when I decided to replace it, I wanted the 1/20 twist, so threw the dice on a CVA Hunter in 44mag.

The trigger actually doesn't suck, and it shoots 300g bullets into a few inches at 100 with a fixed 4x Weaver Classic scope.

I've heard the Scout is "nicer" than the "Hunter," so why not?

FWIW, if I we're going 45/70 single shot (I have a Marlin lever action) I'd probably go with this:

Haus of Arms

Part of the attraction for the CVA is the price. Not lately but I've seen the stainless scout as cheap as $359 on Gunbroker. For that price I figure what the heck. Maybe worth a try.

The question for me would be: How much does this thing weigh and how badly is it going to kick my azz?

Okay, two questions.

I picked up a nice No.1 a few years back and soon discovered it was more fun than I wanted to have any more, and I never got as far as +P. Someone else is enjoying that one now. My Big Bore these days is a .44 magnum. I suggest you look at some videos and see how badly it knocks the boys around, if that could be a problem for you at all. Felt recoil might be a lot more than your Marlin handed out.

44 mag hardly kicks at all, and drops deer without destroying too much meat.

That said, low recoil 45/70 does the same thing on deer at the ranges I shoot them (close).

For the first time, I loaded 10 Hornady 350 grain RN +p rounds for my Ruger #1 45-70 along with lighter loads using 405 grain lead bullets. I shot exactly two of the +p loads, I apparently wasn't holding the stock tight enough because the trigger guard bruised my knuckles. The second shot rattled my teeth. Think I gonna stick to the lighter loads using lead bullets for both of my 45-70's

Around 1200 FPS and 500 gr bullets killed, almost wiped out the American Bison in the 1800s. So why do folks NEED the heavy loads? I have decided the Marlin 1895 needs no heavy loads unless going for something really big. Maybe Africa. Try the milder Rolling Block loads first. You probably would see full penetration on a Bison. I have read it but not shot one myself. If going for anything heavier than 405 gr Remington style bullets make sure they feed in the lever guns. The single shot should love them. Be Well, RZ.

Considering the weight of the Scout, I'm betting that one will run out of shoulder before they run out of strength.

Besides the Ruger, I’ve had a Browning 78 and a Ruger No. 3. Neither was any fun with 405s, for different reasons, and I was pretty recoil-tolerant in those days having played with 12ga slugs a good bit.

My No. 1was fired with mostly 350gr cast at about 1200. While recoil wasn’t noticeably bad when I fired them off the bench, the cumulative effect was unpleasant. Kinda just made me tired. The No.1 seems to me to kick more than it should.

I ordered the scout V2 stainless today. It was $348 on Gunbroker. My Marlin weighed 1/2 less and didnt have a break so I'm not worried about the recoil. My 450 marlin loads went just about 2,150 fps with 350gr bullet out of the 24" XLR. I'll see how it goes but I'd like to come close to matching that load. looks like 8208 XBR can get me there and the pressure isn't that high.

Good luck. Let us see Photos as you get her set up. Be Well, RZ.

If hunting with a rifle having a brake, I suggest walker electronic ear muffs. You can hear better and protect your hearing. i dont know how tight CVA guns ship. The Ruger brakes can be replaced with a cap for hunting and put back after.

I dont think anyone responded on the hot loads. The CVA is a break action and that is the weakest type of rifle. If I had that gun, I would keep to traditional power levels, like factory polytip 350gr. It is not made like a Marlin. I see you did research this already and CVA is rated for Marlin loads. That being the situation, then as long as it locks up tight you should be good. So; you asked, my 2c is all that is. You really need the extra power?

I picked up a Scout in .45-70. The stainless with the muzzle brake. I have other .45-70s including a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (ported). This Scout for how light it is has hardly very little recoil even shooting 405 gr hot handloads. Its about like shooting a .243! In fact my T/C Encore 7-08 has more felt recoil.

I've been shooting 46 gr of H4198 under a 325 gr Hornady FTX (47.9 gr max) and not showing any pressure signs.