Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Need some help picking a rifle

I have $3500 in the budget. Already have a scope. I have looked at a bunch of rifles. Thinking I want a 280 AI. Interested in one of the following. Kimber Montana, Christensen Arms Ridgeline, Nosler 48 and a Cooper 92 Back Country. Have held all of these but the Cooper and haven't found one in the area to check out. Anyone here have the Cooper 92 that could give me an honest review?

Cooper makes nice rifles!

with that budget I'd have one put together that fits all your needs.

Cooper makes great rifles, I have had 3 and still have 2 of them. I have not had the 92 Backcountry though. Out of the guns you mentioned I would buy the Cooper Backcountry if it fit me well.

I would have to agree with "handwork" and have one built like I wanted it considering your $3500.00 budget.

Yep. Pick all the components and get it just like you want it.

The quicker you think bullets and mechanics...the faster you will connect dots.

In 280/280AI,I'd build a 700,due the copious COAL latitude inherent and could do a pair,with the budget cited. McMillan handle,straight receiver,killer trigger and top flight spout,throated to my whim for 180 ELD's.

Hint.........................

There is a minty Kimber Montana in 280AI in the used gun rack at the Scheels store at Village Pointe in Omaha, NE, tagged for $999. It has been there for awhile, maybe as long as 6 months, so you might be able to negotiate an even lower price.

You could use the remaining balance of your budget for other things, maybe stock or scope upgrades to a couple of your existing rifles or whatever moves you to spend it on.

EDIT: Or, you could have Mr. Forbes do a matched pair of NULA/CLR hybrids with NULA barrels, stocks, and triggers.

As much as I love Montuckys,I'd not want one in 280AI,due the mechanical relationship of throat/twist/COAL.

They do however make SPLENDID Donors for 6-06,due them trite confines and the concessions associated.

Hint........................

Of those choices, I'd buy the Cooper. An alternative choice I'd look at is a GA Precision Non-Typical. I handled one a few months ago and was genuinely impressed. If weight is a big concern you can upgrade to a Manners 100% Carbon Fiber Elite Hunter or McMillan Hunter's Edge stock.

http://www.gaprecision.net/non-typical.html

The 7mm-08 Fieldcraft isn't in the running because you'd have all the rifle you could wish for and roughly $2,000 left over for a scope, and a SWFA 3-9 MIL/MIL FFP is under 600 clams, and then you'd have $1,900 left over for ammo and trigger time??

Or why?

Build it and you will come.

Another vote for having one built.

I’ve had the rifles you listed (except the Mesa) and they’re all an easy pass for me (mag, throat, accuracy, ergonomics, etc.).

Big Stick, Handwerk, and Skane are spot on, IMO, and building seems the obvious way to go here. You’re budgeting enough to not have to make compromises.

I'd rather drive it,than ANY OEM or Custom 280AI.

Less IS more............

I don't like the balance of the short action Fieldcrafts, as I find them to be a bit too butt-heavy in the same way that Remington Model Sevens tend to be.

The long action Fieldcrafts with 24" barrels are much better balanced, at least they are for me.

I'd happily give anyone/everyone first shot with anything and happily mop up,with a S/A Fieldcraft for THE win.

Easy for me to say,if only because I shoot it all.

Hint......................

You could easily have a custom rifle built for 3500 or less. Check out Precision Rifle Company in Dorr, MI. Talk to Ryan. http://www.precisionriflecompany.com/

Yeah, but you cheat. You use wares of known quality that yield reliable and predictable results. Quit sandbagging and add a little challenge...how about a box of Coreloks, a Barska mounted on a Mark V, and rings/bases of your choice (as long as you keep them under $15)?

The WHOLE fhuqking point is to "cheat",every fhuqking minute of every fhuqking day...and then some.(grin)

If steering bullets isn't the easiest and highest percentage facet of any/all outings,you've dropped alotta balls.

Hint.............................

For me, less is CREEDMOOR.

When I want less than the 280AI, I go right to the 6.5 Creedmoor.