CVA Optima Elite 7mm-08, opinions?

BigTiny · 11-24-2007, 07:07 PM

Someone told me that CVA has started making one of those all-in-one guns, the optima elite. I'm looking for a new 7mm-08, but I wonder about the quality. Does anyone have first-hand experience? Barring that, second-hand will do just fine.

SwampCollie · 11-24-2007, 07:26 PM

I have first hand experience with the gun in a 50cal muzzleloader, and a 30-06. And lots of first hand experience with the 7-08 (I own two).

First I'll say that the 7-08 is an awesome caliber. Great choice. I have a Rem 700, and a TC Encore. The Encore, it so happens... is sadly the most inaccurate rifle I have ever owned. Seems to be a 7-08 in the Encore thing, as I have heard of a few 7-08s and one 300 that just didn't pan out well in the TCs. Who knows. All the others seem to shoot very very well. I'm working it out with TC currently.

The CVA, of course, is a knock off of the TC. Built fairly well too. The 50cal was quite accurate on the range (curteousey of CVA too). The 30/06 gave me a hot barrel 3 shot group around 1.5" CTC. Not bad for a change-a-barrel gun. Scope was a cheap bushnell, and a bunch of the guys from the shop and myself were all shooting it, so the barrel was quite hot, and it still performed fairly well. For the price it is very hard to beat. You likely won't find the barrel selection as broad, or available as you will and Encore though. And there is almost no non-custom, aftermarket part not made for a TC... which is another advantage of it.

BigTiny · 11-25-2007, 04:24 PM

The 7mm-08/Encore thing was what got me looking at the CVA. It's a similar functioning weapon, cheaper, and still would give me the option of adding a shotgun barrel or ML barrel later. I went to the Bergara website and it looks like a pretty good manufacturer. I like a rifle like that to be able to shoot at least MOA. I had always planned on getting a Savage, but was considering the CVA so I could add a turkey barrel in the spring.

stalkingbear · 11-25-2007, 07:46 PM

I have a 7mm08 encore that'll consistantly group .375-.400 for 5 shot group at 100 yards from solid rest and my pet load.I can't understand the issues with em,especially considering tc's warranty. Did I mention that my 7mm08 is in handgun (15") configuration?

SwampCollie · 11-26-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: stalkingbear

I have a 7mm08 encore that'll consistantly group .375-.400 for 5 shot group at 100 yards from solid rest and my pet load. I can't understand the issues with em,especially considering tc's warranty. Did I mention that my 7mm08 is in handgun (15") configuration?

I think you just got lucky stalkingbear. Or maybe I and a few others got unlucky. I'm by no means swearing them off. I'm frustrated with their customer service, or lack there of lately. But I like the set up far too much to just give up on it. I'd turn it into a turkey gun for my girlfriend as a last resort.

But I will say this... if it was up to me and a handgun... we'd know it was a me issue [:@]