CVA made their name with muzzleloaders, but their Cascade bolt-action rifle has been proving itself since 2020. The Cascade SB (Short Barrel) takes that same rifle and cuts the barrel down for hunters who need to move through thick stuff without giving up performance. 18″ barrel, 350 Legend, and CVA’s MOA guarantee – should be perfect for thick woods and smaller shooters. I put about 75 rounds through it to see if it actually works.
Note: Nosler provided ammunition for this review, which made testing much more comprehensive. Without their support, this review wouldn’t have been nearly as thorough. Thank you, Nosler!
CVA on AllOutdoor
Specifications: CVA Cascade SB 350 Legend
CVA built this thing around one idea: you can move it around without giving up the ability to kill deer. 18″ barrel keeps it short, 350 Legend hits hard. The 70-degree bolt throw means less movement to cycle, threaded muzzle takes suppressors or brakes. Synthetic stock with fiberglass, plus a removable spacer that changes length of pull from 13″ to 14″ so different people can shoot it. Comes with a detachable magazine and two-piece rail. CVA says it’ll shoot MOA.
- Model: Cascade SB CR3907R
- Caliber: 350 Legend
- Barrel Length: 18″
- Barrel Material: 4140 carbon steel with graphite black Cerakote
- Barrel Threading: 5/8×24
- Overall Length: 39″ – 40.5″
- Weight: 6.8 lbs
- Bolt Throw: 70 degrees
- Magazine Capacity: 4 rounds, detachable
- Stock: Synthetic with fiberglass reinforcement, Veil Tac Black finish
- Safety: Two-position
- Trigger: Adjustable 2-4 lbs
- Rail System: Two-piece Weaver/Picatinny
$820 MSRP puts this against other 350 Legend rifles. You get a short, suppressor-ready rifle with decent build quality and CVA’s guarantees. Makes sense if you hunt thick cover or you’re a smaller shooter who wants less weight. Whether it’s worth it depends on what you actually need.
“The Cascade SB was built for hunters who need a compact, maneuverable rifle that doesn’t sacrifice performance. Whether you’re weaving through tight hardwoods, setting up in a blind, or looking for the ideal suppressor host, the SB delivers.
Featuring a shorter, threaded barrel (even in long-action calibers), the SB is optimized for suppressed shooting without adding unnecessary length or weight. It’s also a natural fit for women, youth, or smaller-frame shooters thanks to the removable stock spacer and better overall balance. Light, quick to shoulder, and easy to carry in a saddle, on a pack, or in a tree stand—this is the most adaptable Cascade yet.”
First Impressions: CVA Cascade SB 350 Legend
Right out of the box, the Cascade SB feels balanced. The Veil Tac Black camo looks good, proportions look like they designed it for a specific job. Stock feels decent, though you notice the plastic trigger guard and magazine right away.
The two-piece rail was torqued properly from the factory – saves you time. CVA says the Cascade takes any two-piece base made for the “Savage AccuTrigger centerfire rifle” and recommends a “one-piece Picatinny rail with 20MOA cant” for long-range stuff. The threaded muzzle has a knurled protector, 5/8×24 threading works with most suppressors and brakes.
The 70-degree bolt throw feels weird if you’re used to regular actions.
Range Time: CVA Cascade SB 350 Legend
I mounted a Vortex Viper HD 2-10×42 with illuminated Dead-Hold BDC and tested at 25 and 50 yards with five different loads:
- Nosler Whitetail Country 180gr
- Winchester Target & Practice 145gr FMJ
- Federal PowerShok 180gr JSP
- Winchester Deer Season XP 150gr
- Hornady Custom 165gr FTX
Accuracy was disappointing. Not terrible, but inconsistent between different ammo. Federal PowerShok shot hole-in-hole groups, just like it did in my S&W 350 revolver review. Everything else opened up – worst groups were 3-3.5 inches at 50 yards. Good enough to kill deer, but I wanted more consistency.
CVA recommends a break-in procedure – clean after each shot for the first 5 rounds, then every 10 shots for the next 50. I didn’t do it. I’m in the “nah, I’m not gonna do that” camp, so maybe that’s why. I tested it with a Dead Air Primal suppressor, too. Helped with noise but wasn’t as quiet as I hoped – it’s a .458 can after all.
Had some feeding problems. Double feeds mostly, but that was me not knowing the gun. The main thing is that any upward pressure when you push the bolt forward causes problems. You have to be deliberate, or it jams. Too much slop when the bolt’s all the way back. The recoil was more than I expected. First time shooting 350 Legend in a bolt gun, and without a semi-auto action or heavy revolver to soak up energy, you definitely feel it.
What Works for Me and What Doesn’t: CVA Cascade SB 350 Legend
70-Degree Bolt: Personal preference thing, but it doesn’t unlock soon enough for me. Handed it to a couple people, at least two tried to pull the bolt back before it actually unlocked. They thought it was ready when it wasn’t.
Trigger: Really nice trigger. Good surprise break, no creep. Manual says it’s set to about 3 pounds and adjustable from 2-4, felt about right.
Stock: Felt good for my 6’1″ frame. Removable spacer adjusts length of pull from 13″ to 14″, nice touch for different shooters. Handed it to my mom (she’s 5’3″), seemed a little long, but she said it was comfortable. After shooting from a rest, I saw scratch marks on the stock from recoil dragging it back. It’s a tool, so cosmetics don’t matter, but for $820, the finish could be tougher.
Magazine: 4-round detachable worked fine, but the follower rocks back and forth when empty – you can tip it end to end. Didn’t cause feeding problems, but makes it feel cheap.
Safety: Two-position safety works, lets you cycle the bolt when it’s on for safe loading.
For a rifle they say is compact and maneuverable, some choices seem like they saved weight instead of making it tough. The plastic trigger guard works, but makes you wonder about hard use. Feels heavier than expected for its size, probably the barrel. 6.8 pounds isn’t bad, but feels substantial for what’s supposed to be a lightweight woods gun.
Final Thoughts: CVA Cascade SB 350 Legend
The CVA Cascade SB does what they say – makes a short, maneuverable hunting rifle for thick cover and smaller shooters. Profile’s great for hunting where you need to move through tight spots, and suppressor threading adds options. Some quirks, though. Bolt binds if you push up on it, accuracy varied a lot between different ammo, even though the best load shot really well. Not deal-breakers but worth knowing.
It would work well for new shooters, smaller people, and anyone wanting to suppress their hunting rifle. It’s a specific tool for specific jobs. If you need a short barrel, 350 Legend, and maximum maneuverability, the Cascade SB does what it says it will.
In closing, I want to say thank you to CVA for providing the Cascade SB for this review, and to Nosler for providing ammunition that made this comprehensive testing possible! That support is greatly appreciated. I should note that I didn’t contact CVA about any of the quirks I experienced—they weren’t major issues for my intended use, and every rifle has its own characteristics. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that this rifle is worth spending your money on for 350 Legend hunting? Would you choose this for compact hunting applications? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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