CVA, or Connecticut Valley Arms, is one of my favorite firearms manufacturers. Not only because of their affordability, but because of the incredible value they provide to consumers. My first CVA was a Wolf muzzleloader that I bought when I was 15 or 16 years old. I still own that muzzleloader today, and I would have no problem taking it into the woods during muzzleloader season if I didn’t already have a newer Accura LR. Today, however, we’re taking a look at the CVA Scout XP chambered in .400 Legend.
Before diving into all the details of the Scout XP, I want to share my first impressions when I picked it up. Sticking with CVA’s classic design philosophy, I immediately appreciated the simplicity of the break-action single-shot platform. It’s straightforward, reliable, and functions flawlessly. There’s also a level of safety and confidence that comes with a single-shot firearm. You know exactly what condition the firearm is in, and the simple operation makes it an excellent option for both new and experienced hunters.
Visually, the Scout XP blends traditional and modern styling. The front half of the rifle looks very much like a classic Scout, while the rear half features an AR-style stock and pistol grip that give it a more modern appearance. It’s an interesting combination that works surprisingly well.
The AR-style furniture offers some useful features as well. The adjustable stock allows shooters to customize the length of pull for a better fit, and CVA includes two interchangeable cheek combs to help achieve proper eye alignment with different optic setups. Moving toward the front of the rifle, you’ll find a threaded barrel fitted with a muzzle brake and a heavy bull barrel designed to help tame recoil from the .400 Legend cartridge. The barrel measures 20 inches and features a 1:16 twist rate.
Once I got behind the trigger, the .400 Legend proved to be a pleasure to shoot. Prior to this rifle, I had never spent any time with the cartridge, but my first impression was that it felt similar to a .350 Legend with a little extra punch. Even so, the Scout XP manages recoil very well. The combination of the muzzle brake, bull barrel, and overall rifle weight helps keep the rifle comfortable to shoot. I was also running a fairly large scope for testing purposes, which may have contributed a bit to recoil reduction as well.
The AR-style pistol grip isn’t something I normally seek out on a hunting rifle, but I found that it provided a very solid and comfortable grip, especially when shooting from the bench. I left the factory-installed cheek comb in place during testing, but I can definitely see the value of swapping to the taller comb if you’re running a larger scope mounted higher than normal.
Accuracy was exactly what I’ve come to expect from CVA. The Scout XP delivered consistent groups and inspired confidence from the first few shots. For hunters looking for a dependable and affordable straight-wall cartridge rifle, this platform checks a lot of boxes.
Shop All CVA Break Action Rifles Here.
Overall, the CVA Scout XP is an impressive little rifle. It’s simple, reliable, accurate, and affordable while still offering modern features that many shooters appreciate. If you live in a state that restricts hunters to straight-wall cartridges, I think the Scout XP in .400 Legend should be near the top of your list, especially considering its price point and performance.
If you’d like to learn more about the Scout XP, be sure to check out CVA’s video overview of the rifle.
Outdoor Jack 