Most hunters know they can’t choose a small-caliber hunting rifle to hunt big game.
The right tools are important for a successful hunt, and that starts with choosing the right gun in an adequate caliber. The CVA Cascade XT is an extremely affordable, accurate and lightweight hunting rifle built for big game hunting. Don’t let the simplicity of its design or price tag fool you; this gun shoots lights out and is one you will want to carry into the woods.
The Cascade XT stands for “X-Treme,” and CVA’s focus with it specifically is precision. This particular rifle was designed as a multi-purpose hunting rifle, from its barrel design to the 70-degree bolt throw. Paired with good-quality ammunition and a high-quality scope, this Cascade XT will serve you well in forests and fields.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Cascade XT At A Glance
Fluted Barrel
Fluted barrels have two purposes: to cut weight and to help the barrel cool faster. When you’re trekking for long periods of time getting to and from your hunting spot, it’s important to have a rifle that not only fits you but one you’re capable of carrying. The Cascade XT comes in multiple caliber options, including .300 Win Mag, 6.5 PRC, .450 Bushmaster, and others in a 22-inch length or 24 inches. It depends. With the various calibers, the rifle twist rate also varies.
This specific gun model I chose has a 22 inch barrel with a 1:8 twist rate. It’s chambered for the cosmopolitan 6.5 Creedmoor rifle cartridge. The barrel fluting improves the gun’s overall balance, so it’s not too front heavy. Barrel flutes technically increase the barrels exterior surface area which helps to improve the cooling ability of the barrel. As a rule of thumb, hot barrels tend to be detrimental to accuracy, so anything helps.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Cascade XT Bolt & Knob
CVA Cascade XT rifles are outfitted with oversize tactical-style bolt knobs. With this unit, there is no missing the bolt knob when cycling the action. The knob’s surface has rings that give it a little more texture, which can be helpful when shooting with gloves.
The CVA Cascade XT’s action also includes a “shorter” 70-degree bolt throw–its the angular path that the bolt must rotate from to cock, open or close. While the degree of throw is a personal preference, I prefer a shorter throw in general. The 70-degree throw feels like less work (compared to the 90-degree standard). This shorter throw also makes it quicker to chamber more rounds when needing to shoot follow up shots.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The Cascade XT’s action is low maintenance. It doesn’t require much in the way of oiling or cleaning. Like many other modern bolt guns, the bolt release is on the left side of the gun and allows you to quickly remove your bolt for storage, transportation or cleaning.
I actually tested this rifle straight from the box. This means that I headed to the range without cleaning or oiling it to see how it would perform. I don’t recommend this, but I ran the bolt without adding any lubricant to it. Honestly, I never had an issue running the Cascade XT’s action.
Scope Mounting Made Easy
It is beyond useful when a firearms manufacturer includes a Picatinny base on top of a rifle. It really saves the time and extra expense of having to source and mount an aftermarket base. Because the Cascade XT specifically uses two short Picatinny rail mounting points, so out of the box, you’ll want to use scope rings specifically. They work better with split bases while still allowing you to fine tune to the correct eye-relief.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Sling/Bipod Mounting Options
The Cascade XT comes with three swivel studs. Two are on the rifle’s forend and one on the bottom of the stock. This gives you several mounting options. So depending on whether you want to mount a bipod, a sling, or both–you have options. Because I compete in so many shooting competitions with bipods, I can’t live without one. I also love hunting with a bipod over a support bag.
Adjustable Trigger
Who doesn’t love an adjustable trigger? The Cascade XT comes with an adjustable 2-4-pound trigger. CVA sets these single-stage triggers to a factory weight of three pounds. For hunting and making precision shots this single-stage trigger works excellently.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
It’s also quite easy to adjust. First, separate the barreled-action assembly from the stock. Then, turn the se- screw at the front of the trigger housing clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease pull-weight as needed.
It’s also worth noting that the Cascade XT’s trigger guard is generous enough to be able to shoot with gloves on, with extra room to spare.
Don’t Forget the Muzzle Brake
The Cascade Muzzle Brake is a $70 upgrade that is completely worth investing in. This radial muzzle brake helps to reduce felt recoil, especially if you choose an even larger caliber than 6.5 Creedmoor.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
I’m a big believer in always adding brakes and finding ways to make your rifle eaiser and more pleasurable to shoot. Because this muzzle brake was specifically designed for the CVA rifles, so you know it’s compatible and has been tested to perform with the Cascade XT.
Range Assessment
If you aren’t familiar with my gun and gear reviews, I’m a little bit of a gun snob.
I have been shooting heavily modified and tuned race guns for almost a decade now. In both my handgun and rifle options, I optimize for recoil mitigation. For example, I shoot heavier all-metal pistols with light pistol loads. My rifles all feel as if they were rimfire .22s.
That said, any time I see lightweight guns, whether rifles or pistols, I get nervous shooting them for the first time. I anticipate the recoil to be so bad– that I almost pre-judge guns before giving them a fair chance.
While 6.5 Creedmoor isn’t known for its recoil, I was hesitant to shoot the Cascade XT.
Spoiler alert: I was genuinely surprised at my delight in shooting this rifle.
I fired three different 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges during the shooting portion of my review. These included a hunting cartridge (Berger EOL Elite Hunter), a competition cartridge (American Eagle Open Tip Match) and a target cartridge (Norma Precision Golden Target). I wanted to see what the Cascade XT would do with different styles of ammunition. I also wanted to feel the difference in the recoil and notice whether the rifle’s accuracy changed. Not only did all the ammunition group nicely, but the gun didn’t feel all that different between these loads.
The Cascade XT weighs just 6.8 pounds. Depending on your optic choice, it’s still a lightweight hunting rifle. This gun was so comfortable to shoulder and shoot from a prone position using a bipod and even offhand shooting while standing.
For newer hunters and youth hunters, I recommend this rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor because of the soft recoil impulse. It’s a gun I feel extremely comfortable shooting and trust from an accuracy standpoint to make a clean shot regardless of my target.
Headed to the Woods
I am so impressed with this rifle that I am eager to take it on a big game hunt. From the gun’s overall weight to the adjustable trigger and adjustable length of pull, this gun fits me well. I enjoy the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge and was so happy with how it shot; it will be the perfect hunting companion.
About Connecticut Valley Arms
CVA is part of the larger company, BPI Outdoors. This company also owns Bergara, Powerbelt, Quake, and Durasight. BPI Outdoors’ core competency is a combination of manufacturing, sourcing, distribution and marketing as it pertains to hunting and shooting-related products. CVA itself was founded back in 1971 as Connecticut Valley Arms. You might already be familiar with the brand’s line of muzzleloaders, but they also manufacture quality bolt-action centerfire rifles.
CVA Cascade XT Specifications:
- Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Action: Bolt Action
- Bolt Throw: 70-degree throw
- Magazine Capacity: 4 rounds (detachable)
- Barrel: 22 inches fluted
- Twist Rate: 1:8
- Threads: 5/8×24
- Trigger: Adjustable 2-4 pounds
- Length of Pull: Adjustable 13-14 inches
- Overall Length: 46 inches
- Overall Weight: 6.8 pounds
- MSRP: $825.99
CVA Cascade XT Shooting Results:
| Berger EOL Elite Hunter 156-grain | |
| Velocity | 2,563 fps |
| Accuracy | 0.90 inches |
| American Eagle Open Tip Match 120-grain | |
| Velocity | 2,799 fps |
| Accuracy | 1.00 inches |
| Norma Precision Golden Target 143-grain | |
| Velocity | 2,586 fps |
| Accuracy | 0.75 inches |
