394: 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, & Magnum Muzzleloaders From CVA With Brad Watts

394: 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, & Magnum Muzzleloaders From CVA With Brad Watts

Author: John McAdams October 23, 2025 Duration: 1:04:15

Brad Watts, the director of marketing for CVA, joins me on the show to talk about the diverse array of muzzleloaders and rifles CVA produces. Of note, CVA currently produces a number of rifles in more esoteric cartridges like 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, and 400 Legend. Not only that, but they also produce other rifles and muzzleloaders that are in compliance with very specific hunting regulations in states like Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Oregon. And finally, they also produce plenty of more conventional rifles and muzzleloaders as well. We discuss this in more detail during this interview along with the specifics of their current production rifles and muzzleloader and what sets the company apart from competitors in the industry.

Sponsor: Sign up here to receive a 10% off promo code for all products CVA sells directly from their web site (including their rifles, muzzleloaders, and accessories).

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all my bonus material (including a larger 15% off CVA discount code I provide to Patrons at the highest level of support) at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with CVA director of marketing Brad Watts to discuss CVA muzzleloaders and rifles in detail.

They dive deep into the various hunting rifle and muzzleloader models the company makes, what sets them apart from the competition, and how they offer firearms for hunters in states with very specific regulations (like Idaho and Illinois).

Their takeaway? CVA produces rifles and muzzleloaders that offer an exceptional value to their customers and are suitable for many different situations.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Resources

Check out the CVA web site & follow them on Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
360: 22 Creedmoor vs 22-250 Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:47
Today we're going to talk about two high octane 22 caliber centerfire cartridges: the 22-250 Remington and the 22 Creedmoor. We'll discuss the overall design characteristics and performance specs of each round, then comp…
Bonus 18: Upcoming Veteran Safari Hunt Announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:41
I have a few announcements to share with you on this unusual mid-week episode regarding our upcoming hunt for the military veteran we're conducting in June of 2025 and a special request for all listeners regarding future…
359: Bullet Selection 101 with Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:25
I got the chance to sit down with Aaron Davidson from Gunwerks at the DSC convention in Atlanta and we discussed the ins and outs of bullet selection, external ballistics, and terminal performance. I felt like I was drin…
358: 35 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:51
I discuss all of the 35 Caliber SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode. As always, I'll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengt…
Bonus 17: Reforming The NRA With Buz Mills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:54
Today Buz Mills from the National Rifle Association joins me on the show to talk about the upcoming election for the NRA board of directors. In any case, I'm a life member of the NRA and I'm saddened and disappointed wit…
357: Kevin Robertson's Two Near Death Experiences From Sable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:53
Kevin Robertson is back again today to talk about sable hunting. Just like we've done on the past we dive right into the details of sable: how big they get, where they live, why they're different from other species of pl…
355: Bongo At 5 Yards In The Rainforest With Hancke Hudson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:55
My ongoing Africa hunting mini-series continues this week with another special guest: Hancke Hudson. Hancke is a South African Professional Hunter who has spent the past 30 years hunting in the rainforests of Central Afr…
354: Hunting Leopard Up Close & At Night With Tanya Blake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:05
This is the first episode in my winter 2025 Africa hunting mini-series and I have a special guest on the show with me today: Tanya Blake. Depending on how long you've been listening to the show, you may recognize that na…
353: Is Federal's New 7mm Backcountry A True Game Changer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:03
I have Eric Miller on the show with me today to talk about Federal's brand new 7mm Backcountry rifle cartridge. As you'll learn here shortly, the 7 Backcountry utilizes an innovative design that produces some impressive…