Well, as some of you may have read, I have been seeking opinions on cartridges for a new rifle. Now I am going to ask for some opinions on a new rifle. My budget is around 2K, and I want to get a gun that would qualify as one I would experience a great deal of pride of ownership in when I go afield, and maybe more importantly, a gun that my son would treasure when the Good Lord decides my time here is up. I have narrowed the search down to Sako 85 Bavarian, Cooper Jackson Game, and maybe a Weatherby Mark V. The cartridge would be somewhere between a .257 Wby and a 30-06 (based on the gun I decide on and availability).
Please give me your thoughts on which of the above you would want and why. If you want to list them in order, that would be even better.
I have had the opportunity to handle the Sako and Weatherby, but not the Cooper (though that is the one I am most intrigued with). I asked the boss if she'd mind me driving three hours away to visit a gun store (that carries Coopers), but she thought I was beyond help. Did I mention I haven't told her I am getting another gun?
Anyhow, I eagerly look forward to any and all informed opinions that you may be able to offer.
Sir,
This opinion and $1.75 will get you a cup of coffee at Waffle House, but fer [bleep] n giggles, here goes.........
I�ve owned prolly 20 different Sako�s.
From 17 mach iv on a rebarreled Riihimaki to an AV in 375 H&H. I�ve fiddled with a few of my bud�s Sakos. Only one I could not get to group consistently under 1�. That one had a manufacturing defect, the chamber was cut oversize. I�ve owned the Riihimaki, L461, S-491, L579, L61R, AI, AII, AIII, AV, 75, & 85 and one M995 in the Lazeroni Warbird. Wood, Synthetic and Laminate. The gunsmith I use loves the Sako actions as he don�t have to do anything to �true� them.
The Vixen (L461) is probably my favorite of the Small actions, the 579 in the medium and l61R in the large.
I�ve also owned a dozen or so Coopers in Model 21, 22, 38, and 52, in the Varminter, Montana Varminter, Varmint Extreme, Classic and Jackson Game.
As to Weatherby, I�ve owned the Mark V Accumark in 257 WBY and 240 WBY and the SuperVarmintMaster in 308 Win. That SVM was a shooter, but was kinda heavy. Had to pay a gunsmith to do a trigger job to get it to my liking. Never owned a Vanguard or Lazermark.
Sako�s were my first love, and I still own Sakos. I�ve a little Riihimaki in 222 Rem. I load with 45 gr. TSX. It is my �carry rifle�. I go to and fro on a 4 wheeler. Carry it in a scabbard strapped to the front rack.
This Sako Varminter, L61R, in 7mag has put the hurt on many a hoglet and white-tail.
My latest Sako is the Bavarian Carbine in 308 Win.
My favorite Cooper repeater, a model 52 Jackson Game, 26� fluted barrel in 25-06.
Some folks say �aren�t you afraid of scratching and denting your wood stocks. I say no, those are character marks, usually well earned.
Most of the centerfires I�ve owned over the past 20 years have been purchased �pre-enjoyed� Like big bore wheel guns, most folks don�t put that many rounds down the tube of a rifle. A little tweaking and you�ve got a shooter. Don�t be afraid of a pre-enjoyed rifle that has been conscientiously owned. It can be a lot of fun finding out a rifles provenance.
I�ve typically owned heavy barreled �beanfield� rifles but am trending toward a lighter rifle. You should consider the type of hunting you will be doing, whether it will be from a stand, stalking up and down hills/mountains and the distances at which most of your shots are made. You did not indicate your preference.
I tell folks that if my only criteria were price and accuracy, all my rifles would be Savage. However I have a thing about beauty function, fit finsh as well as accuracy.
Now this is just one man�s opinion, but for my money a used Cooper is the best value out there. Mind you I started buying Coopers over 10 years ago in the sub-caliber single shots. Most were purchased around $1,100 each. Who else built a factory rifle with stunning wood and sub-inch accuracy at 100 yds in 17 hebee or 19 Calhoon or Tactical 20. No-one is who.
You indicated that your budget was $2K. I don�t believe you mentioned whether that included the scope or not. It also does not have to be a one time and done type of thing. I started out buying cheap rifles and scopes at pawn shops and off friend and trading up. Don�t know if you have a problem with pre-enjoyed rifles or not. I don�t. Certain rifles call to me whether they are new or used. I prefer used, as that way someone else takes the initial hit on the depreciation. Haunt Gunbroker and Classifieds on gun sites. I saw a nice wood stocked model 52 Cooper in 280 Remington sell for $1,300 on GB the other day. Model 52�s and 54�s in several styles can be had used between $1,300 and $1,800. New Sako Bavarians are going around $1,900. Bavarian carbines are between$2k and $2,250. Outlets like Cove Creek Outfitters will do a lay-away. Never hurts to ask for 90 days. Broken up into 3 or 4 payments makes things easier.
You mentioned pride of ownership. Don�t know if you mean brand name, beautiful wood, fit and finish, accuracy or all of the above. To my mind there is nothing more beautiful than blue steel and wood. However, as I�m getting older, rifles with synthetic stocks and stainless or cerrakote finish are becoming more attractive. I don�t care for the acrylic finish of the wood stocked Weatherbys or Brownings that crack like fiberglass. An oil finish can be retouched or refinished. Laminates are OK, but not a thing of beauty. IMHO Cooper has the best wood of the the three brands you mentioned. However the new Bavarians have pretty decent wood.
It usually does not get super cold in Texas and glove wearing is occasional. I like triggers to break at two lbs. or under. Unless you get a Sako model with a set trigger, I�d say the trigger on the Coopers are sweeter and are easily adjustable. The Sako Bavarians and some of the 75 and 85 Varmint models have a set trigger that breaks about 9 oz. when set. It takes a little getting used to but I love the set triggers.
Both the Sako and the Cooper models 52,54 and 56 have detachable magazines. The Sakos can be fed through the receiver. The Coopers are single stack, with the cartridge being depressed and slid into the DM. The Sako will hold 1 or 2 more rounds than the Cooper (generally speaking). Don�t know if that matters to you or not. How often do you shoot more than once at a game animal? The only knock on my Bavarian carbine is the thickness of the stock at, and just in front of the DM. I think it would carry easier if that part of the stock were somewhat slimmer.
If a synthetic stock was to your liking, I think it would be hard to beat a Cooper Excalibur with cerrakote action and barrel.
Not on your list, but the Nosler Custom Sporter is worth a look. I have two and the 325 WSM is my go to hog thumper for dark thirty shooting.
As to calibers, many times rifles chambered for 30-06 are cheaper. Don�t know what you�ll be shooting or whether you are recoil sensitive. A Cooper Excalibur, 26� fluted barrel, Cerrakoted, chambered in 6.5 x 284 would do one a fine job, or the Nosler model 48 Custom Sporter (only negative is max bbl. Length of 24�. I picked one up earlier in the year chambered in 270 WSM for $1,500 on a lay-away on Gunbroker) no matter what the weather conditions. Both will shoot sub inch at 100 and shots to 300 yds. should be chipshots if you do your part.
I�ve kinda gone nuts on Merkel�s as of late,
[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/Merkel/IMG_0147_zpsfc2c7f40.jpg[/img] Beautiful blue steel and wood, great detail, fit and finish and accurate to boot.
but of the options mentioned, I think I�d choose as follows:
Model 52, Cooper Jackson Game, 6.5 x 284, 30-06, or 338-06.
Model 54, Cooper Jackson Game 7mm-08, 260 Rem, 257 AI
Cooper Excalibur
Cooper Jackson Hunter
Cooper Classic
Sako Bavarian/Bavarian Carbine
Sako Stainless Laminate Varmint w/Set Trigger
Weatherby Vanguard Sub-MOA, stainless
Don�t know if you�re in a hurry. I�m not. It took me 10 years to get the Cooper Varminter in 20 Vartarg at the price I wanted to pay. Took three years before I found my first Merkel deal. Don�t get in a hurry, be patient. Sooner or later a blind hog will find an acorn.
JMHO
Best,
GWB