My son's first deer rifle - CVA .243

[MRH]

I picked a CVA hunter compact, break action in .243. A cheap Weaver scope was included, and it has been mounted and bore sighted. I have always liked .243, and the size, weight, and what appears to be a high quality barrel (heavy, crowned and recessed) makes this seem like a great first deer getter. His cousin, who is 10, has one identical to it and has taken a couple deer with the exact same set up.

I was considering a walnut Mossberg Patriot youth .243, and it was a real beauty, but for double the price. I figure if my son really sticks with it, and I'm sure he will, then I will upgrade in a couple years to a bolt Browning, Tikka or something else. But for now the CVA should do the trick, and I'm not out a lot of money. $229+tax wasn't bad.

I will upgrade the scope before deer season next year. He is almost 6, so this will be a Christmas present, he can practice all next year, then be ready to take his first deer next year when he is 7.

Bottom line, I know he will be super excited because he has been pestering me about getting him a deer. His Crickett .22lr is not ideal.

Anyone else have much experience with the CVA single shot rifles? I know they make decent muzzle loaders but I've never tried one of their rifles.

 

[Poppa Mike]

Way to go Dad! I haven’t shot one of these but have looked them over at my LGS. They look to be well made for the price. Should be a great first deer rifle. And .243 is one of my favorite centerfire calibers.

 

[NewLeaf]

I picked a CVA hunter compact, break action in .243. A cheap Weaver scope was included, and it has been mounted and bore sighted. I have always liked .243, and the size, weight, and what appears to be a high quality barrel (heavy, crowned and recessed) makes this seem like a great first deer getter. His cousin, who is 10, has one identical to it and has taken a couple deer with the exact same set up.

I was considering a walnut Mossberg Patriot youth .243, and it was a real beauty, but for double the price. I figure if my son really sticks with it, and I'm sure he will, then I will upgrade in a couple years to a bolt Browning, Tikka or something else. But for now the CVA should do the trick, and I'm not out a lot of money. $229+tax wasn't bad.

I will upgrade the scope before deer season next year. He is almost 6, so this will be a Christmas present, he can practice all next year, then be ready to take his first deer next year when he is 7.

Bottom line, I know he will be super excited because he has been pestering me about getting him a deer. His Crickett .22lr is not ideal.

Anyone else have much experience with the CVA single shot rifles? I know they make decent muzzle loaders but I've never tried one of their rifles.

I went with the same rifle in 7mm08 and my daughter loves it . She has other deer rifles now but still loves the CVA (most accurate rifle she has)

 

[MRH]

I went with the same rifle in 7mm08 and my daughter loves it . She has other deer rifles now but still loves the CVA (most accurate rifle she has)

The barrel looks really well made, and ultimately sold me on it. Single shot actions have always been accurate for me, and I'll bet this one will be a laser beam. I will probably hunt with it myself. Lol

 

[MRH]

Way to go Dad! I haven’t shot one of these but have looked them over at my LGS. They look to be well made for the price. Should be a great first deer rifle. And .243 is one of my favorite centerfire calibers.

Yes I really like .243. I killed my first deer with a model 7 in .243 when I was 9 years old. 40 yards with iron sights.

My cousin, who is a great big ol' boy has been using .243 all his life and he has killed more deer than you can shake a stick at. He's killed some bruisers too.

 

[Poppa Mike]

Yes I really like .243. I killed my first deer with a model 7 in .243 when I was 9 years old. 40 yards with iron sights.

My cousin, who is a great big ol' boy has been using .243 all his life and he has killed more deer than you can shake a stick at. He's killed some bruisers too.

Yep, I killed quite a few with one myself. Great caliber, soft shooting with plenty of take down power.

 

[Edog537]

I picked a CVA hunter compact, break action in .243. A cheap Weaver scope was included, and it has been mounted and bore sighted. I have always liked .243, and the size, weight, and what appears to be a high quality barrel (heavy, crowned and recessed) makes this seem like a great first deer getter. His cousin, who is 10, has one identical to it and has taken a couple deer with the exact same set up.

I was considering a walnut Mossberg Patriot youth .243, and it was a real beauty, but for double the price. I figure if my son really sticks with it, and I'm sure he will, then I will upgrade in a couple years to a bolt Browning, Tikka or something else. But for now the CVA should do the trick, and I'm not out a lot of money. $229+tax wasn't bad.

I will upgrade the scope before deer season next year. He is almost 6, so this will be a Christmas present, he can practice all next year, then be ready to take his first deer next year when he is 7.

Bottom line, I know he will be super excited because he has been pestering me about getting him a deer. His Crickett .22lr is not ideal.

Anyone else have much experience with the CVA single shot rifles? I know they make decent muzzle loaders but I've never tried one of their rifles.

I have several of them. I would love to put a paint job on the stock for you. It will put some grip on the stock and tame the harshness of the "checkering". And the best part is it will make his cousin envious. I will post some pics tomorrow. Order the DS102B scope rail. The one piece mount will be to high for good cheek weld.

Gadgetsrfun can vouch for my work. He has seen it in person.

 

[rbstern]

I've got a CVA Optima Elite, which I use primarily for 45 cal ML, but over the years, I've had 308, 270 and 223 barrels on it. Also have a 20ga barrel for it that I rarely use. It pretty much stays in ML configuration these days. I like it very much. The Hunter Compact has always struck me as a very handy package.

I love hunting with a single shot rifle. Easy to carry, and for the hunting I'm doing, I don't have to have a repeater.

 

[Gadgetsrfun]

I have several of them. I would love to put a paint job on the stock for you. It will put some grip on the stock and tame the harshness of the "checkering". And the best part is it will make his cousin envious. I will post some pics tomorrow. Order the DS102B scope rail. The one piece mount will be to high for good cheek weld.

Gadgetsrfun can vouch for my work. He has seen it in person.

Absolutely will vouch for you. Makes an otherwise ugly Ruger American stock am makes it brag worthy.

 

[Gadgetsrfun]

No experience with CVA single shots but started my son out with a H&R Handy Rifle in 270..