I've gone to 5 different stores looking for one of these..and can't find any but the muzzle loaders that are already set up...I did find 1 dealer that had..the blued barrels in 243-270-308-30/06 in stock though..but both rifles he had were the stainless muzzle loaders...one with the black stock..the other with the light green Real Tree stocks...Both of them have a nice feel to them..and are different in appearance and feel to the Encores "camel hump" stocks...These laminated stocks shoulder very nice...and have a real nice "Hi-Viz" style recoil pad fitted...Also...to me...they don't have the same "feel" to me...They feel more like my Bell & Carlson synthetics do...than say most other types..like the NEF's..or Houge's..or Savages..
The stocks come off by way of a single screw on the fore arm and what appears to be 2 screws in the grip cap which would hide the stock retaining bolt..This is a nice touch...since a customized grip cap can be fitted if desired..and would be easy to have a set of custom stocks fitted to it...without the need for a bolt hole to go thru the full length of the stock.....The fore arm has 3 raised sections set in the very strong synthetic material and a flat spot for a stop on the barrel...It's a nice set up and very ridged which doesn't flex hardly at all ...If one wished to or if needed..it can be bedded quite easily ...Also..there is a space within the fore arm long enough..and wide enough to put a full aluminum rail in...which would stiffen the fore arm even more than it already is...I am sure this is already being discussed at CVA as to have them set up in their varmint calibers for different bi-pods.....The fore arm has no spacer like the NEF's have..it isn't needed..the fore arm extends past the hinge pin and partially covers the receiver..but not touching...so there won't be any shimming needed.. I removed the barrel by way of the large pin..which fit snuggly in the opening..but removed with a slight amount of force...I can honestly say I was impressed with the attention to detail put into the barrel..the welds were perfect..and it was very easy to remove and re-install the barrel..The lock up on this one..was perfect..no lateral movement with or with out the fore arm..and when it locks in place..you know it..very solid..very secure...bank vault like...
I didn't have a trigger pull scale available at the stores..but with a good feel for my Handi's and Weatherby rifles..can tell it is breaking right around 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 lbs...This is as it came straight from the factory with out cleaning..so I am sure it will clean up nicely..Since they come equipped with a transfer safety bar..I wanted to see if they were like the NEF's are..They aren't..This one moves up and is in the proper place each time where the trigger breaks...without the need to pull all the way thru on them...which makes for a more consistent firing pin strike...
The barrel release is separate from the trigger guard..and appears to work by way of toggles & springs..It has a lot of tension on it..so it will return to position easily..without any rattling The trigger guard is of metal...not plastic..Which why I feel it would be a great idea if CVA put a adjustable trigger stop in them...but...tapping the metal trigger guard wouldn't be much of a problem to be able to add one..
Over all..the gun is very clean and balances very nicely With the Williams Fire-sites it makes seeing (at least for these old eyes
) pretty darn easy...and I would be tempted to use them.....It would be easy to shoot from the bench with it's flat bottom fore arm..or from the shoulder..The stock fit is very good for my frame..even with a heavy down filled hunting jacket on..The finish was extreamly nice..and smooth..although some slight improvement to the stock fit at the receiver is needed on this one..and from what Mark at CVA told me..was a priority for them this year... The Stainless was bead blasted the right amount...and the fluting on the barrels was done evenly...This really is a good looking and handling package...and I am looking forward to putting it to the test to see how it will stack up against my Handi's..and even my Weatherby.. The price point here where I checked today is about $35-$75 more than the Ultra's...but haven't gone to any Walmart stores yet to see what they can order them for...if they can..then I would assume they will be very close to the NEFs
Now...I just have to get one home and try it out...I'll be checking Monday & Tuesday for the best prices and at Walmart...and get a couple ordered...
Mac
