Contemplating a singleshot 35 Whelen

[AmBraCol]

There are plenty of TC Encore 35 Whelen barrels on the market right now, in stock in different places, the last I checked. But finding an Encore action is something else again.

Meanwhile, CVA has apparently been selling 35 Whelen "Scout" (model, not style) rifles for about what the Encore barrels sell for... down side is three inches less barrel (am thinking 35 Whelen AI - those extra 3" help use slow powders more efficiently) and they come with a muzzle brake (am not a fan of those). However, I THINK they also have a blue/black (as opposed to the stainless/black) version sans the muzzle brake, judging from online pics.

I'd no idea that CVA was selling break action centerfire rifles. Now I'm curious as to what experience any of you might have with the CVA Scout V2 rifle in general, and the 35 Whelen in particular if such should be the case.

Hey, it's a lever action, it breaks open via a lever underneath the trigger guard!

[piller]

I wasn't aware of them. Sounds fun. Plenty of power for anything I would hunt. In reality, the .30-30 is plenty for anything I have hunted for a long time.

[AmBraCol]

I wasn't aware of them. Sounds fun. Plenty of power for anything I would hunt. In reality, the .30-30 is plenty for anything I have hunted for a long time.

I've had an itch for a 35 Whelen AI and an itch for a good singleshot big game rifle for a while now. Last time I was through Cortez, CO I had a good chat with Mic McPherson about the 35 Whelen, and the itch is almost unbearable. One of the Shootists gave me a few boxes of bullets, one of the guys from CSA sold me Whelen dies, have plenty of '06 brass (I believe) that could be necked up, just need the rifle. A P17 was picked up cheap, already "sporterized" - but it shoots half decent as is and would make a great cast bullet rifle - so boring to 35 is less attractive. The idea of picking up a TC or CVA is to have the 35 Whelen, then AI it one of these days. I dream of one more elk hunt in Colorado before the Lord calls me home. Having a singleshot to do it with would be icing on the cake.

[piller]

The CVA singleshot is what I was unaware of.
As far as 35 Whelen, I know very little about it. Very little. A singleshot 35 Whelen AI with a 225 grain bullets sounds like plenty for anything in the 48 Continental States.
Hope it all works out for you.

[44shooter]

There are two CVAs in my lgs. A blue 444 and a SS 6.5 Creedmoor. They seemed decent and were very inexpensive.

[Bill in Oregon]

Don't those CVAs have Bergara barrels?

[AmBraCol]

Don't those CVAs have Bergara barrels?

Yes, in fact my understanding is that the rifle is built by Bergara and sold by CVA under their brand in the US.

[AmBraCol]

There are two CVAs in my lgs. A blue 444 and a SS 6.5 Creedmoor. They seemed decent and were very inexpensive.

That 444 ought to have a heft kick to it. I'd like to have one in 357 Maximum, kind of like what AK Church built on a HandiRifle way back when.

[AmBraCol]

The CVA singleshot is what I was unaware of.
As far as 35 Whelen, I know very little about it. Very little. A singleshot 35 Whelen AI with a 225 grain bullets sounds like plenty for anything in the 48 Continental States.
Hope it all works out for you.

The attraction to the AI version is the matter of case life, the AI needs far less trimming as the brass doesn't flow as much as the standard Whelen does. Wish I'd taken notes when talking with Mic McPherson about it a couple years ago.

[Twodot]

Grail Gun = Ruger No 1 chambered in 35 Whelen.
..

[Rusty]

I used to listen to an outdoor show on WSB AM radio out of Atlanta on Saturday mornings. The were a show sponsor but the host used to sing the prases of those Bergera barrels. I've never shot one but listening to him sure did make them sound like something I'd like to try.

[Hawkins]

I've had a CVA Scout V2 for several years now. Mine is the compact version (20" barrel, 13" length of pull), stainless, in 7mm-08. Mine is an older model that does not take down. I've been very happy with it--short and fairly light, easy to maneuver in a cramped blind or hunting buggy. Trigger is VERY good for a rifle of its price, around three pounds. Stock fits well and has a cheek piece on both sides, so a righty or lefty can use it. Lockup is good and tight, and it does NOT seem to shoot to different places depending on how hard or easy you close it. It's simple, rugged, and cheap, so you won't mind if it gets rained on, scratched, or whatever.

When I first got it, accuracy was poor with several different loads--4" to 6" at 100 yards. I sent it back to CVA, and in short order I had it back. They had re-crowned the barrel (for free) and included a test target with three rounds of Nosler ballistic tip in about 3/4". Since then it will shoot most everything I've tried into around 1" to 1.5" for three shots. It's probably actually a little better than that, but the curved forend is not the easiest thing to shoot off a bench.

They used to come with a one piece base and rings that I didn't think much of. They were kind of clunky looking. But you can get cheap weaver mounts for them, or the web site now shows they come with a one piece rail so you can use whatever rings you want. One thing that has given me a bit of problem is that the scope can interfere with getting a good thumb grip on the hammer, even with the extension on. But, that can be true with any exposed hammer rifle with a scope.

No one will confuse it with a Dakota #10, but I think they are an excellent value in a handy, utilitarian rifle.

[marlinman93]

I've heard of the CVA Hunter model for sometime now. But it's been replaced by the shorter barreled Scout now. They appear to be very similar to the old H&R rifles in function, but the stubby barrels turn me off. Unless they offered one with a 28" or longer barrel I'd not be interested in such a short rifle myself.

[GunnyMack]

Every time I look at this post my mind sees
Contemplating a SLINGSHOT 35 Whelen- funny what your eyes read but your mind doesnt!

[AmBraCol]

Every time I look at this post my mind sees
Contemplating a SLINGSHOT 35 Whelen- funny what your eyes read but your mind doesnt!

Well, I keep contemplating making another slingshot as well, but hadn't considered the matter of caliber yet.

[Old Savage]

now that you have contemplated it get a bolt action 30-06 and try to find out what you want to do that it will not do.

[wolfdog]

I have a couple of the cva hunter rifles, which is the lower priced version without muzzle break and such. A 7mm08 and a 45/70. Both have excellent triggers and can shoot better than my ability.

[piller]

I never could learn to spin a slingshot and release one side at the same point each time. Felt strange spinning and pulling on the bands. Maybe I had the concept wrong.
Anyway, I do a bit better shooting a break open firearm.

[AmBraCol]

now that you have contemplated it get a bolt action 30-06 and try to find out what you want to do that it will not do.

I've got two of them. They don't do a lightweight singleshot impression very well.

[AmBraCol]

I never could learn to spin a slingshot and release one side at the same point each time. Felt strange spinning and pulling on the bands. Maybe I had the concept wrong.
Anyway, I do a bit better shooting a break open firearm.

It all depends on what you consider to be a slingshot. What you describe sounds more like what I know of as a sling. The last time I used one of those the neighbor's window exploded... I still remember my uncle taking me over to apologize and to offer to pay for the repair. What the brits call a catapult or "cattie" is more along the lines of my experience and inclination. They are an amazing bit of kit which when used right can do some serious execution, which is why they are actually controlled/prohibited in some jurisdictions.

[piller]

How many kittens are required for someone to become proficient with a catapult? Are Siamese or Tabby better ammo for a catapult?

[GunnyMack]

Probably tabby"s- they seem to always be fatter, better penetration!

I've been toying with a turdapult, just toss the doggiedoo over to the neighbors yard!