CVA Stalker from Academy, what's your experience?

[TheStupid]

Academy sells a single shot rifle made by CVA called Stalker for $159. On the barrel it's marked CVA Optima Elite

Anybody had any experience with its accuracy? I am thinking to buy one in .223for prairie dog hunting.

* Cal: .223, .308, .270
* 24” barrel, Bergara
* Composite stock with Ambidextrous cheek piece
* CrushZone recoil pad
* Deep pistol grip
* Drilled & tapped for scope
* Reversible cocking spur
* Lifetime Warranty
* Weight: 6.25 lbs.

I searched the forum but couldn't find much comment on its accuracy.

 

[NCsmitty]

I've not seen much talk about the Stalker on this site. I would think that using a Bergara barrel would be a plus, but I have no idea how good or bad the trigger might be and what the rest of the rifle feels like.
The only negative I've heard about was complaints about customer service or the lack thereof. Hopefully you wont need to find out yourself if you get one.

Do a Google search for Stalker reviews, I found this one.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=569705



NCsmitty

 

[a-sheepdog]

One of the guys that is on our lease showed up with one in 308. It looked fine but none of us put a round through it, including him so I have no real info. I too am interested if they shoot decently.

 

[Skylerbone]

Buyer beware, CVA doesn't produce anything gun related or otherwise. From barrel to box every part is produced for them. Why is that of interest? Last time they made a lemon and it killed and disfigured shooters (thanks to an extruded tubing barrel provided by Bergara) they disavowed any liability and went through the legal reformation/bankruptcy bit. When you think CVA, think of a boardroom full of suits approving the cheapest parts and least amount of R&D possible sans customer service.

While Bergara isn't completely to blame, they did produce what was spec'd and that in my mind was negligent.

I wouldn't care how well it shoots, if a rifle isn't safe I won't carry it.

 

[TheStupid]

Skylerbone's comment scared the living crap out of me.

 

[Skylerbone]

What I didn't mention was that both my parents were shooting CVA muzzleloaders at the time and didn't know there was a problem until I looked into buying one.

Both were promptly replaced with a Knight and a T/C.

What it really boiled down to was an inexpensive barrel and a dispute between CVA and Bergara as to what was spec'd. CVA's manual for the rifle recommended 150 gr. Of powder which was in excess of what Bergara claimed was requested. Result: consumers were blamed then, when the mismatch was discovered, screwed over.

 

[_Scooter_]

I have a 30-06 version, and it broke after about 150 rounds. I am pretty lenient on CVA, and I'm giving them the chance to fix it and return it before I start blasting their QC process... update later