TC Encore vs CVA Optima Elite

[grubwormer]

Hey I was looking to get a single shot rifle and wanted the TC Encore but then I saw that CVA also had a single shot centerfire rifle the Optima Elite at almost half the price of the TC. Does anyone know the difference in these two rifles that would warrart almost double the price for the TC? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[rbernie]

The T/C is of known engineering, made in the US to a consistant quality level. I have no issues placing an Encore chambered in 338 WinMag six inches from my face, because I know that the Encore platform was designed to take such usage.

The Optima line was designed around black powder, and has slowly been moving towards supporting some (223 and 243, so far) centerfire smokeless barrels. The QA and QC of the CVA stuff in general has been pretty spotty over the years, since they simply import stuff built to losely defined specs. I'm not saying that the Optima is crap, but it surely was not designed first-n-foremost to be used for high pressure smokeless centerfire chamberings.

I'd not want to be an early adopter of the CVA centerfire stuff, especially when you can buy a NIB Encore for just over $500 and used ones nicely appointed sell for $450 or less.

But that's just me.

 

[gbran]

I have TC's, but have to admit that NEF's are pretty darned good rifles at hundreds of $ less. These are proven rifles. Don't know much about the CVA's.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have an Encore. They are top notch quality and first class shooters.

The design was created so that you could actually shoot high pressure magnum rifle rounds. The Encore is the extension of engineering of the Contender.

The number of barrels you can get is limited only to your imagination. There are standard factory barrels, custom factory barrels and a number of custom barrel makers who will make anything you want from a high quality barrel blank.

What consistently surprises me is that you pay from about $200 and up for a barrel and you can rather easily get what you paid for the barrel if you sell it. I bought a 450 Marlin barrel last year for $230. I just sold it for $235 shipped.

A lot of other companies have jumped on the single shot band wagon in the past few years. NEF has a good product at a decent price. Rossi has a mediocre product and the price is irrelevant because you get what you pay for.

If CVA is the latest entrant into the single shot changeable barrel business and they are half the price there must be a reason.

If you bought a CVA and did not like it could you get your money back?? You can with an Encore. Receivers consistently sell for $300 and barrels consistently sell for 5 or 10 off of list, sometimes they go for more than list.

CVA may develop a following, or like Rossi, they may not. You know the old saying about "how to you identify a pioneer?" "They're the ones with the arrows in their backs!"

If you really want to spend less I would look at the NEF line. They have proven to be decent shooters, have a decent folloiwng and there is a fair selection of barrels. They are around half of the cost of an Encore but the pioneering is already done!

 

[grubwormer]

Hey thanks for the info. I have just ordered a H&R ultra varmit. I handled one and really like the way it felt in my hand. plus it was $250 out the door. thanks for all the input though it's nice to hear other peoples thoughts and ideas.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Well, you already made your choice, but I must jump in on the side of the Encore here. I've handled the CVAs in the shop and ergonomically, there is NO comparison, IMO.

I agree with rbernie: I trust my Encore, whether stuffed with 150gr of blackpowder or maybe with a big magnum on it in the future. I can't say I'd do the same with a CVA.

The NEF/H&R is a good, less-costly option for a single-shot. My biggest gripe is having to send the rifle back to the factory to get fitted for barrels. Though for half the cost of an Encore and barrels are half the cost of Encore barrels, they are a pretty good deal IMO.

Good luck and shoot straight!

 

[fisi]

encore without hesitation.......you couldn't pay me enough to shoot cva!

 

[BsChoy]

For gods sake the encore..My 209x50 encore was good for clover leaf groups all day long!! my only gripe is a very tight bore!!