The CVA Hunter: A Top-Selling Single-Shot Rifle

Single-shot rifles aren’t everyone’s style, but when it comes to uncomplicated precision they can be hard to beat. The sight of a CVA Hunter won’t attract the volume of longing looks latest race guns do at the range, although experienced enthusiasts understand underneath that simplicity beats the heart of a quality gun.

Unfortunately, CVA discontinued the Hunter line for 2020. If you’re lucky you might find a factory-fresh model hanging on an out-of-the-way gun store shelf, although they’re scarcer by the day. Last year—the same year it was no longer coming from the factory—it was the third-fastest selling single-shot rifle by FFLs using Gunbroker.com. It placed sixth on the website’s 2019 top-10 listing for the category.

Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA) was established in 1971. It didn’t take enthusiasts long to discover its products come with an accuracy that defies price point, whether it’s the company’s muzzleloaders, bolt actions or single shots under its Bergara and CVA lines.

The Hunter is a break-action single shot with receiver-mounted DuraSight Weaver-style rail to take the work out of mounting a scope. Controls are ambidextrous and the cocking spur is reversible. Chamberings available included .450 Bushmaster, .45-70 Gov’t., .44 Mag., .35 Whelen and .243 Win. (Compact model). MSRP was $286.50 for the entire line, with the exception of the $246.50 price tag for the Compact. The latter had a 20" barrel, while the others wore either 22" or 25" barrels. The guns had an extractor, no ejector.

Stocks were all-black composite and came with sling swivel studs and generous recoil pad. The steel barrels were blued. The rifles weighed 8 lbs, with the exceptions of the .44 Mag. at 5.8 lbs. and the Compact tipped the scales at only 5.5 lbs. Overall lengths were 41", 38" and 35" in the same order.