CVA takes second against custom muzzleloaders in Tennessee Shoot | CVA Paramount

Modern muzzleloading competitors took to the range last weekend at the Chilhowee Rod and Gun Club in Athens Tennessee for their annual “Inline Muzzleloader Spring Warm up” Match. This match brings together some of the best long range muzzleloading competitors as they prepare for the Spring Nationals in June.

In previous years, the shoot has been dominated by competitors shooting custom rifles. Rifles built by folks like like Schultz Precision Rifles, Bestill Custom Creations, LR Customs, and Arrowhead rifles are common on the firing line at these matches. This year though, there was a different kind of rifle gunning for the gold, a CVA Paramount .40 caliber.

Barry Brakebill, national long range muzzleloading champion and veteran in modern muzzleloading joined the CVA Team earlier this year. Barry, a former Knight rep and Schultz Precision Shooter faced some heat for joining the CVA team and leaving the world of custom competition muzzleloaders behind but he is holding is own against his friends and competitors in the medal race.

Barry placed second with first going to a Schultz Precision Custom Rifle and third going to a Bestill Custom Creations custom rifle.

Well the first shoot of the year is in the books. The attendance was a little down but the quality was up . We had nine National competitors show up to shoot. Out of the nine,eight of them were shooting one off custom built Muzzle loaders. The price tag averages 4000.00 to 8000.00. I too own a couple of those but this year I have chosen to shoot a factory stock rifle. I shot the CVA Paramount and boy did it perform. There were four perfect scores shot with the x count determining the winner. J.R Schultz was the winner with a 170 and 14 X count. I finished second with a 170 and 13 X count and Chris Kenny finished third with a 170 and 10X count. I have had a hundred questions as to why would I change rifles and bullets after winning the National championship. For me it’s about growing the sport. I know not everyone has the resources to buy a custom built rifle.

If you’re a hunter and you want to take game at longer ranges you should look at the Paramount in both the 40 and the 45 caliber. I am thankful for an opportunity to represent CVA and it’s brand. I will be hosting a muzzleloader shoot in September of this year and would like to invite each and all to come and participate and hang out with some of the best people I know. We have four classes from the beginner to the master class. I promise it will be a learning experience for you. And remember if your a conservative hunter just buy a muzzle loader of any brand and get in the woods, but if you want to be a winner buy a CVA , just saying. And once again congratulations to J.R. Schultz a world Class builder of custom muzzleloader’s and rifles on his win today. #CVA #itsjustabettergun @CVAmuzzleloaders. CVA Official Paramount Shooters

After several years of building their own long range muzzleloaders, CVA has taken another step on Knight Rifles turf.

While the announcement of a new pro staff member isn’t normally news, it’s rare that we see someone as good as Barry jump between manufacturers. Couple that with the long standing arguments laid out on forums between Knight and CVA fans and Barry’s move may signal a renewed interest in precision shooting at CVA.

Before now, CVA has never presented a muzzleloading rifle in a competition, let alone sent a pro staff member to compete. It’s a bold move to come right out the gate with the Nationals, but it’s clear now that CVA has been planning this for some time and they are ready to enter the ring.

At 65 years old, Brakebill is giving shooters of all ages a run for their money, and inspiration to stay in the game. Barry is a retired SWAT officer and an agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. It’s no doubt his career experience will help him in this new role as a CVA Shooter.

As the competition season heats up we’ll be covering as many matches, competitors, and muzzleloading rifles as we can from all eras. It’s nice to have some shake-ups for the 2022 season!