TESTED: CVA Cascade Varmint Hunter

Equally known today for bolt-action rifles as much as its muzzleloader platforms, CVA zeroes in on the varmint hunting set with the CVA Cascade VH rifle series

by Jeromy Knepp

Connecticut Valley Arms, an American institution in muzzleloader rifle manufacturing, has been spreading its wings in centerfire firearms since 2019. Stepping out of their modern inline muzzleloaders to bolt-action platforms is a natural progression. In 2024, CVA produced a new lineup in the Cascade series to provide different models for different hunting applications. As a groundhog hunter in the northeast, I chose the Cascade VH (Varmint Hunter) as a “must-try.”

Cascade VH

Since I’m big on varmint hunting in central Pennsylvania, my friends, family, and I spend many hours in the fields looking for “whistle pigs.” They can be anywhere at any time, chewing on a farmer’s hard-worked fields or digging new livestock hazards. As hay and alfalfa are two of the groundhog’s favorite delicacies, the hunting fields can be long and vast. This is not much different for hunters pursuing rock chucks in the Rockies or prairie dogs across the Plains. Predator hunters also benefit from any rifle with the ability to reach way out there. My cousin and I have had many shots at distances of 600 yards or more.

CVA’s Cascade VH has what it takes to reach across the fields. Available in popular cartridges, CVA offers the Cascade VH in .243 Winchester (tested), .22-250 Remington, .204 Ruger, and .223 Remington. The Cascade VH weighs 8.7 pounds for the .204 Ruger, .223 Rem., and 8.9 pounds for the .22-250 Rem. and 243 Win. — respectable weight for rifles in the open field. Barrels lengths for the .243 Win. and .22-250 Rem. are set to twenty-two inches with 1:10 twist barrels. The .204 Ruger and .223 Rem. are fitted with twenty-inch barrels with 1:10 twist for the .204 Ruger and 1:9 twist for the .223 Rem.

All Cascade VHs are fitted with varmint contour weight barrels and lightly fluted for a handsome, modern look. Thinking ahead, CVA machined the muzzle with 5/8-24 threads (thread protector included), allowing the hunter to run their choice of muzzle brake, suppressor, or nothing at all. Screwing on my Silencer Central Banish 30 hushed this rifle to hearing-safe levels and did not impede accuracy.

CVA designed a full-size bolt body that fills the receiver cavity. A large bolt release button on the left side of the action allows for easy bolt extraction. The three-lug bolt head creates a short bolt lift for quicker reloading of the next round.

All rifles come with an eye-catching Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish while the stocks are dressed in Realtree camo. Holding the rifle, the material for the camouflage pattern provides a soft touch feel and a non-slip grip.

Using big optics will not be an issue as these rifles come with a traditional-style stock and an adjustable cheek piece. CVA also provides a one-piece 0 MOA steel base. The forearm is flat and a little wider for stability on bags or shooting sticks. Two swivel studs are available for both mounting a bipod and sling simultaneously. The Cascade VH also allows for length-of-pull adjustment with the LOP blocks that are provided with the rifle.

The trigger on the Cascade VH is quite good. Using the Wheeler digital trigger pull gauge to measure the trigger, weight comes in at 2 lbs., 10 oz. on average. Pulling on the trigger feels crisp, with zero creep in my sample. I wouldn’t say “breaks like glass” but it is definitely crisp and repeatable. Ahead of the trigger is CVA’s proprietary detachable box magazine. All controls on the rifle are ample and easy to use.

Optics and Mount

Varmint hunting requires some specialized equipment, especially for long shots, and Burris provided just that. For this test, I employed the XTR Pro 5.5-30x56mm FFP to provide the clarity and magnification necessary for marmots, coyotes, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs. I can tell from experience that 18x power is just enough at 1000 yards on a groundhog with fine crosshairs.

The XTR Pro provides plenty of elevation for the farthest shots for a standard varmint factory load. My particular scope uses the SCR 2 MIL reticle. This reticle is great for accurate holdovers and measuring misses off target. Low light situations are mitigated by an illuminated reticle with ten different power settings.

The mount is a USA-made Reptilia AUS 34mm unit (P/N 100-153). With a height of 39mm, it easily clears the barrel and action with a 56mm objective. Machined from 7075-T6 billet aluminum, it makes for a light yet strong scope platform. Four Torx-head screws in each ring mount provide ample purchase. Weight is 165 grams or 5.8 oz., making a great choice for lightweight builds.

EGW provided a 20 MOA aluminum base. EGW is made in Pennsylvania and produces quality products for the discriminating marksman. EGW offers products for most rifles on the market today.

Accuracy

The accuracy from my sample rifle is on par with most factory rifles. I did manage a few groups with different load options that measured sub-MOA. While running through the different bullet weights, I noticed the groups slowly getting bigger with the heavier bullets. The Hornady 58 gr. V-Max Superformance load shot two groups at .759 inches and .979 inches for a three, three-shot group average of 1.037. The best average group size came from the Hornady Outfitter CX 80 gr. at .955 inches. The smallest group came from the Remington PSP 80 gr. at .474 inches.

Hornady’s American Whitetail 100 gr. PSP presented the largest group at 4.260 inches. This was unfortunate as this load usually produces outstanding groups. The largest group average also came from the Hornady Whitetail Hunter 100 gr. PSP at 2.515 inches.

All groups were shot at 100 yards in three, three-shot groups from a bench using the Caldwell Matrix rest.

Hornady Outfitter: 80 gr. CX; Avg. 0.95; ES 47; SD 18
Hornady Superformance: 58 gr. V-Max; Avg. 1.037; ES 152; SD 53
Reminton Core-Lokt: 95 gr. Tipped; Avg. 1.085; ES 55; SD 17
Hornady Precision Hunter: 90 gr. ELD-X; Avg. 1.150; ES 52; SD 26
Remington Premier: 75 gr. AccuTip-V; Avg. 1.168; ES 28; SD 14
Remington High Performance: 80 gr. PSP; Avg. 1.220; ES 159; SD 63
Remington Core-Lokt: 100 gr. PSP; Avg. 1.622; ES 63; SD 17
Hornady American Whitetail: 100 gr PSP; Avg. 2.515; ES 115; SD 39

Final Thoughts

I like the look and feel of the rifle. With the right ammunition, the CVA Cascade VH can be a hammer for pest and predator control. With an MSRP of $900, a discerning sportsmen can enter a premium rifle market without paying a premium rifle price. The Cascade VH provides valued options with its adjustable LOP, adjustable cheek rest, protective weather coating, included scope base, and threaded muzzle.

With heavy bullets for caliber options, I would like to see this rifle in a 1:9 twist. This twist rate would stabilize the heavier hunting bullets and still shoot the lighter bullets accurately. The .22-250 and .223 could also benefit with a 1:9 for the .22-250 and 1:8 for the .223. This would allow for shooting heavier 65- to 75-grain bullets that still work well for varmint/predator hunting yet shoot the lighter bullets well.

My son and I found the magazine to be temperamental. I determined it is easier to load from the top like a blind magazine. Being a proprietary magazine, you are unable to use any AICS magazines.

Overall, the CVA Cascade VH is a good rifle to take to your favorite predator or varmint field.

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Jeromy Knepp

Jeromy Knepp is U.S. Army veteran from the artillery corps. He enjoys competing in benchrest competitions, groundhog matches, and IBS. NRA Certified Range Safety Officer and Metallic Cartridge Reloading instructor, he also enjoys hunting with his son and daughter.