I do own a $89.00 CVA Staghorn Magnum. .50 caliber, nickel barrel, RED DOT scope, three ignition systems, excellent trigger, fiber optic sights (that broke the first day on the range) and black plastic stock. So I guess I could label the rifle as a "cheap muzzleloader." While if you compare the barrel/hardware to stock fit it will never compare to my Black Diamond XR. They are like day and night. There is a spot on the CVA in the fit, like my Dad used to say, big enough to throw a cat through. (Not real kind for the cat by the way) Also the Spanish barrel while it concerns me, I've shot the rifle a great deal, its held together just fine, and shoots very accurate. I do not shoot magnum loads out of it, and have no desire to do so. But I seldom shoot magnum loads out of any of my rifles. I just do not find it necessary.

What I am getting at is, I do not compare the CVA Staghorn to any of the other rifles and declare, WOW, this thing is really junk. When I purchased the rifle I knew it was an entry level rifle. I fully expected the hardware to stock fit to be not perfect like my $200+ Black Diamond. I think anyone buying these low end rifles are doing so with the same expectations. If not, they might be in for a real let down.

It is an entry level low cost rifle. If people are not concerned about all the stuff they read on the Internet about Spanish Barrels, etc. The low end rifles are a very cost effective way to get into the sport and see if you like the challenge. Actually for someone that hunts an area where there shots are not extreme, and they only hunt a couple days a year and then put the rifle away, this might be the best value on the market. The accuracy of these rifles are more then acceptable and in many cases outstanding. This is usually the because of a person taking the time to work the rifle load, or getting real lucky. Personally I like shooting the rifle. The main thing is, rifles like this get people involved in the sport. I see no need to compare anything. I just enjoy.