I wasn't really familiar with this gun until recently. The 450 Bushmaster craze in Michigan got lots of new guns going in this chambering. This was one of them. They also make it in 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, 45-70, and a 22" barrel 44 magnum (without brake).

I picked up the 450 Bushmaster version from Cabela's for under $300 (with the $40 off sale they had a few weeks ago, and the 18% off gift cards from Ebay)

Another guy on a local forum bought one recently, and shot a cloverleaf 3 shot group at 100 yards with the Hornady factory ammo.

I just took it to the range today to work up loads for it. Got the Barnes 200's going 2850, and it loved the load, so I stopped there. There was a little more room for powder, and no pressure signs at all, so it probably could hit 3000 without too much effort.

It's a solid gun, that's for sure. Action locks up like a bank vault, and the stock is 100% ambidextrous. Also, the KDF brake is standard (and removable) on all the calibers except the 44 mag. Nice thing is also, they sell a compact stock that is 1" shorter, for hunters that need a shorter LOP.

Last 3 shots at 100 yards.

My dad bought a 444. Shoots like that too. Can't believe how well those 240 dollar guns do.

My 44 mag works like that without a lot of kick

With the KDF, recoil was no more than a 308 Win.

Nice, I'll have to give them a look. Sounds like they shoot and are a solid gun from what you guys are saying...........


I wish I would have been able to snag one of those 35 Remington's when they were available.

I would have rather seen a 460 S&W. Apparently, they had it in development and dropped it for whatever reason, then decided on the 450 Bushmaster.

By the way, there is currently a 35 Rem. on Gunbroker, that ends in auction tonight.

I've been considering one in 45/70 for a smokeless ML conversion - but I have too many irons in the fire. Guys have been getting the same results.

How are the triggers on the base rifles? Obviously serviceable with those sort of groups.

Trigger out of the box with no adjustment is better than 90% of any other factory triggers. 3# with a clean break.

The CVA hunter is a lower priced blued gun, but a totally different design. Different action opening mechanism, and not sure if the trigger/accuracy is comparable, but it could be.

My buddy has the Hunter in .35 rem. Does around an inch at 100 w Hornady factory ammo.
3 shots, 3 deer (one net scored over 150").
He likes that rifle.

But if you close it gently it may not cock.

He had to re-open it with a buck not far away, and it worked the 2nd time.

Still has the CVA, but drove a few hrs one way to get a 760 Remington in .35 rem.

I thought about a Scout 2 in .35 rem, can't find one.
Take down .44 was tempting.
The stocks just feel a little funky to me. Cheap gun (price)..........doubt there'd be any aftermarket fix.

The wrist/palm area is slightly strange for the main reason that both sides of the stock are identical to be true ambidextrous. So, the off side area where the cheekpiece starts might feel strange. But, as a lefty, I quickly overlooked that.

I might pick up a compact stock to have on hand for the kids someday. At least there is one of my guns that would work if they are righties

Tested the action closing/cocking on the Scout. Was able to do a virtually silent open, reload, and close. Doesn't matter if you baby the action and close it super slow, it still locks tight and cocks/fires fine. Must be a totally different locking mechanism than the Hunter model.

I have the compact .35 Remington that shoots one inch groups with the cheesy 2-7x Nikon factory refub it wears now. It even uses the same load as I use for my Marlin 336. That recipe begins and ends with a hand loaded 200gr Remington Core-lokt at 2200 fps. This is the second CVA for me, the other a 35 Whelen, and they both shoot great and both have much better triggers than I ever dreamed would be possible at this price point. The little compact Scout is a dream to handle, carry and shoot. It is by far the lightest weight rifle I own; including rimfires. It really deserves a better optic than what it has now. I don't want a larger or higher magnifying scope just better glass with less distortion and better light transmission. I will never look down my nose at another CVA.
As a side note: the 200gr Remington Core-lokt is THE bullet for the little underrated over achieving 35!