CVA Cascade SR-80 Review: An 18-Inch .308 Scout Rifle for $920

The short version: CVA's Cascade SR-80 is a $920 take on Jeff Cooper's scout rifle idea, pairing an 18-inch Bergara-made .308 barrel with a forward optic rail and Williams aperture sights. Reviewer Todd Burgreen came away convinced it delivers on the general-purpose promise.

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CVA is best known for muzzleloaders, but it moved into centerfire bolt guns in 2019 and shares a parent company, BPI Outdoors, with Bergara. The Cascade line is aimed at the affordable end of the hunting-rifle market, yet it still brings an adjustable trigger, a threaded barrel, detachable magazine options and an MOA accuracy guarantee. The SR-80 is the scout version, set apart by a barrel with a rail section ahead of the receiver for a long-eye-relief scope.

Buyers aren't locked into the scout layout. The receiver is drilled and tapped for Savage 110-style bases if you'd rather mount a standard scope, and the Williams peep and post sights work without any glass at all. Burgreen notes a couple of quirks: the rifle uses a proprietary 10-round magazine instead of AICS-pattern mags, and at 7.4 pounds it runs heavier than Cooper's ideal. The 14-inch length of pull drops to 13 inches by pulling a built-in spacer.

On the range, his rifle's trigger broke at 3 pounds, 150-grain loads ran in the mid-2,700 fps range, and groups stayed under an inch at 50 yards. He rang steel out to 500 yards and found it quick to handle on a wooded walk-through course, where the scout setup made the most sense.

Key specs

• Caliber: .308 Winchester (also offered in .350 Legend)
• Barrel: 18" Bergara-made, 1:10 twist, threaded 5/8x24, ships with a muzzle brake
• Overall length: 39.75"
• Weight: 7.4 lb empty, no scope
• Sights: Williams aperture rear, adjustable post front; forward Picatinny rail, plus over-receiver mounting for Savage 110-style bases
• Action: three-lug bolt, 70-degree throw, two-position safety
• Magazine: 10-round detachable (4-round flush mag sold separately)
• Price: $920

Summary by GunWinner based on reporting by Athlon Outdoors. Deal links are affiliate links; GunWinner may earn a commission. Prices change quickly, so confirm at checkout.