Mud Lake Ranch: First Look & Field Test of the CVA Endura LRH .45 Caliber Muzzleloader

Jared Sturtevant
Oct 17
4 min read

By Jared Sturtevant (Mud Lake Ranch)YouTube Review: CVA Endura LRH .45 Muzzleloader (youtu.be/gypuRZNzz0U)

Introduction & Expectations

When CVA announced their new Endura line, I was intrigued. The promise: a next-gen smokeless-capable muzzleloader with all the features serious hunters are starting to demand. So I requested the Endura LRH in .45 caliber from CVA and spent time at the range and in the field to see whether it lives up to that hype. In this review, I’ll walk through design, performance, and my impressions — so you can see whether the Endura LRH belongs in your rack.

View the CVA Endura on the BPI website: https://bpioutdoors.com/cva/muzzleloaders/endura/

Design & Features: What CVA Built

From unpacking to setup, here’s what stood out:

1. Chamber & Barrel

The LRH comes in .45 caliber with a 26" barrel and a 1:22" twist rate, optimized for stabilizing heavier ELR-style bullets at range.
The barrel is fluted to save weight and help with heat dispersion, and is threaded ¾‑x20 to accept muzzle devices (e.g. brake or cap) without altering the external profile.

2. Ignition & Breech System

The Endura LRH uses the VariFlame™ ignition system, which allows either 209 primers or large rifle primers via specially designed adapters.
Watch: How to prime/deprime VariFlame: https://youtu.be/l4XTzM5yM-s?si=31qy6uwUOP2uqhfc
On the bolt face are small magnets to help retain or eject the VariFlame adapter after firing — a clever touch to ease reload cycles.
CVA also uses a tungsten-lined breech plug to help handle increased pressures when using smokeless powders — a necessity if they're going to push beyond classic black powder loads.

3. Stock & Ergonomics

The “LRH” suffix means Long Range Hunter. The stock is fully adjustable: adjustable cheekpiece, length-of-pull spacers, QD swivel cups, and a rigid framework that resists flex.
Balance is decent; you feel the weight forward slightly due to the full‑length barrel and design. Not awkward, but heavy when carrying all day.

4. Finish, Fit & Zeroing

The barreled action is finished in a combination of Cerakote and nitride treatments, resisting corrosion and minimizing wear in tough conditions.
The receiver’s footprint is built to accept aftermarket optics and scope bases with flat, sturdy bedding surfaces. In my testing, I experienced good zero retention even after several disassembly cycles.

CVA’s official spec lists an MSRP around $1,599 for the Endura LRH in .45. (Distributor sources I checked confirm similar street pricing.)[Note: CVA also offers a “Pro” version with lighter weight and different stock styling

Range Testing & Accuracy

In the video review (https://youtu.be/gypuRZNzz0U), I took the LRH to the range over multiple sessions under varying conditions — cold, mild, and with some wind — to see how it performed with real-world bullet/load combos.

Bench & Rest Shooting

Using PowerBelt ELR 285‑grain bullets (one of CVA’s recommended bullets for the LRH), I saw sub‑MOA to 1.5 MOA groups at 100 yards when conditions were favorable.
The rifle showed promise out to 200+ yards; shots at extended distances remained consistent when I kept the load and wind corrections tight.
There were occasional flyers, though — in nearly all those cases, I traced them back to slight inconsistencies in my handload or wind shifts, not mechanical flaws.

Field Handling & Practical Use

From sitting positions, kneeling, and prone, the LRH was comfortable enough to shoulder quickly and get on target. The adjustable stock geometry (cheek height, LOP) helped me fine-tune for different shooting positions.
After repeated cycles, the bolt and breech plugin/out took zero shifts well; I didn’t see significant drift after taking the rifle apart and reassembling for cleaning.
Ignition was consistent: I experienced no misfires or hang fires with the tested primers/adapters in normal range conditions.

Overall, the LRH proved capable of accurate, repeatable performance under real-world shooting circumstances — something many hunters will appreciate.

Strengths & Areas for Caution

Here’s how I break down the Endura LRH’s strong suits — and what you should watch out for.

Strengths

High-end features for the price: adjustable stock, fluted/threaded barrel, ignition flexibility.
Good zero retention after disassembly/cleaning.
Solid “first‑shot” performance: no glaring reliability issues in my tests.
Capable of extended-range performance when paired with matched bullets/loads.

Cautions & Considerations

The LRH is not a light rifle. If you’re hiking all day in rough terrain, that weight adds up.
The .45 version is demanding: you need to find a bullet, powder, and adapter combo the rifle likes. I had to test a few setups before getting the best groups.
Long‑term durability is still a question — I’ve run several hundred rounds, but only time will tell how it holds up over years of hard field use.
If you push too high on smokeless loads, always be cautious: the tungsten-lined breech plug is a strong safety measure, but abuse or extreme overpressure can stress any system.

Final Verdict (From Jared’s Bench)

After weeks of testing and live shooting, I believe the CVA Endura LRH .45 is one of the more compelling modern muzzleloaders to hit the market in recent years. For a hunter who wants long-range capability, ignition flexibility, and adjustability — without stepping into boutique pricing — the LRH delivers a lot of value.

In my YouTube review video (youtu.be/gypuRZNzz0U), I walk you through groups, range video, field shots, and breakdowns. If you’re seriously considering investing in a modern muzzleloader, I’d say this one deserves to be high on your shortlist.

by Jared Sturtevant

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