which rifle is better of the two the T/C renegade or the older CVA mountain rifle
Horse apiece, I own both
Don't sell the Renegade, the Renegade platform is too reliable and versatile to part with, there is so much you can do with it.
If yours has the though stock tang bolt keep it!
I hear ya about that 4 screw MR stock, those things are great also, but they have been out of production for so long and most have passed through many, many hands. The locks and triggers are usually good and can still be repaired/reconditioned and tuned to fine operation even today.
It's the wood that suffers. Because of their age the wood has dried and become compressed in key areas, the lock and trigger mortise may need some help. Don't disrepair, info for easy fixes of those issues are available here on this forum and others.
The re-barrel is the tough part. Spendy, and cost prohibitive in today's market,, Your lookin at $350-400 for barrel/breech and drum that'll fit new. And 125-150(plus shipping) to have a found old barrel reconditioned.( you have to find the barrel first, they are out there)
Shoot the Renegade, keep the MR stock and keep looking. When you get the posts and time in, watch the classifieds here, bargains come up from time to time,,
Good luck,,