Have a Weatherby MK XX11, a Sako Finnfire and a Ruger 77-17

Am thinking about another high end rimfire, another 17 HMR.

Anyone have one in a Cooper?

What are we talking about in real world $$$ ?

And availability.

Thanks! Virgil B.

I don't know anything about the .17 but my .22 is incredible. Worth every penny in my opinion. I paid right at $1600 for mine on Gun Broker.

Only advantage of Gun Broker is you can see the groups and the wood. I wanted a beautiful piece of wood for that kind of money.

Benelli,

Thanks for the info.!

I'm still thinking on this one. That's a lot of money, BUT also, a LOT of gun!

Virgil B.

I've got two centerfire coopers (had 3 but sold one) and I had a cooper rimfire, which I also sold. I sold it because it was so nice I couldn't bring myself to use it properly. The two I have left are a 20 Vartarg and a 223, both shoot lights out and have killed many ground squirrels. The centerfire I sold was a 20 Tac which shot great as well, but I got tired of fireforming brass, etc. If I went that way again I'd get a 204 ruger because of the factory brass.

In any event, Coopers are well worth the money in my opinion.

Tom

Thanks Tom!

Gotta check these rifles out a little more!

Anybody have a "link" they could post?

Been working 50-60 hours a week, so I'm "stashing" some O.T. money for a "special treat" for myself.

Thanks!

Virgil B.

I have a Jackson Squirrel Hunter in 22lr and plan on buying another in 17hmr in the near future. Couldn't recommend them enough.

I have the Jackson hunter in both 22lr and 17Mach2,and I have no plans to ever replace either.Both handle very nicely,and both are extremely accurate.

There is one major downside to buying your first Cooper. You will find that you will need another, and another, and another, etc.
You're on the slippery slope.
V

Saw some pictures over on Rimfire Central.

These sure are good looking rifles!

Anyone care to share some pictures?

Thanks! Virgil B.

All rimfires:

VB,

Don't ignore the CZ 452 Prestige grade 22RF.
I have that model, and the Walnut stock is exceptional.
I got TC1's bottom metal, so the rifle is equal to any high end 22RF now.
Not shabby on accuracy either, 4 shots into a 3/16" group at 50 yards(Only had four bullets left, thus only a 4 shot group.).

Don

Don,

I had a CZ in 17MK11.
GREAT shooting rifle, but traded it off because of the backwards safety.

Wish I would have kept it and leared to live with it.

Virgil B.

Fw707,

Now THAT is some good looking rifles!

The classic pattern is what I'm interested in.

Virgil B.

Thanks Virgil.
I still own the 2 in the center. One is a .22 and the other is a 17 HMR.

fw707,

Looks like Leupold scopes. What power?

Am thinking 3.5X10 How low dose the parallax adjustment go?

Am thinking this would work for down to 25 yards?

Virgil B.

Virgil .... just outta curiosity, why not another MkXXII??

After several suggestions from people on this forum I put a leupold 3-9 x 33 compact on my cooper for pure looks it is about perfect. I think anything larger starts to over power the trim lines of the squirrel rifle.

George,

I'm still "thinking" on this one.

So far, I've got 3 in the running.

A Cooper 17

A Ruger HB Varmit in 17.

AND another Weatherby in 17 to go with my 22LR.

Benellihunter,

I've got a Leupold 3X9-EFR AO on my Sako Finnfire,

And a 6X42mm Leupold with parallax set for 50 yards, on my Weatherby MK XX11.

They both look great, but the parallax adjustments on the 3X9 sure are handy.

Also have a fixed 8X AO Leupold on my Ruger 77-17.

Am thinking a 3.5 X 10 AO would make an excellent 17 HMR scope.

Virgil B.

Virgil, I forgot that this would be a HMR....you do have a lot more range on a HMR than on my little .22.

Virgil

I have the 3.5-10x40 AO on my WMR VMBZ ... tis a sweet setup

George,

How close is the parallax adjustable for?

Am thinking I've read 25 yards? If so, this would work GREAT for me! I have bird feeders at 25 yards, that are "robbed" by nastie, mean "rodents" that need SHOT! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Mine does go to 25 yards. Good Luck finding one .... on the bright side they're not as rare as hen's teeth!

Thanks, George!

Was thinking that Leupold didn't manufacture this scope any longer.

Looks like I will be looking on the "used" market, As I feel THIS WOULD BE THE best SCOPE FOR A 17 HMR!

Virgil B.

Iffin I was looking I think I would also change out my EFR AO on my Mk XXII.

George,

I've got a Leupold 6x42mm with parallax set for 50 yards on my MK XXII.

I had a small Leupold dot with CPC crosshair added at the same time.

Sure makes a great scope for a 22LR, but I need AO for the 17 HMR because of the longer ranges.

Virgil B.

One more question....


How long does it take to get a Cooper rifle, if ordered from the factory?

Thanks! Virgil B.

Last week they told me 6 to 8 months.

boatammo,

Thanks!

Looks like I'd better make up my mind pretty soon, if I want one by sage rat season, next spring!

Prolly wouldn't get here by then anyway.

Sounds like they are worth the wait!

Virgil B.

Virgil,

I had a non parallax adjusted 6x42 on my Mk XXII (it mimicked my Deluxe 7-08 with FX-III 6x atop), but just wanted to try one of the EFR's ... like it. Now I own a M8 6x42AO. Would be nice on the Mk XXII but I personally think the the OBJ end is too big with the AO option attached, so it went on the Hornet.

Virgil, the scopes are Leupold VXII's on all the guns. The HMR has a 6-18x40, and the other 3 are 4-12x40's.
The 4-12's focus just fine at 25 yards, and the 6-18 takes just a little more.

Sorry about taking a while to reply. I kinda lost track of this thread.

fw707,

Thanks for the reply!

Never even thought about a 4X12 AO.

This sounds like it would work GREAT!

Virgil B.

I bought my first Cooper, a Western Classic .22 14 years ago. That's one gun I'll never part with. Never mind the cost, the accuracy, quality, and pride of ownership make it worth every penny. I've since bought two more, a heavy barreled Custom Classic 22-250, and last year I sold 4 other guns to buy another Custom Classic in .270. I have used this rifle to take marmots out to 749 yards, and it's the best looking rifle I've ever owned. Buy one, and if you really want to wring the most out of it, think about a Zeiss Conquest 4-14 side focus scope. It doesn't get any better.

One more question;

Anyone know if Sportsmans Warehouse is a Cooper "dealer"???

My local shop told me to order from the factory, then "rent" there FFL, and pay fees, insurance, shipping, etc. to get a Cooper.

Gotta be a better way...

Thanks! Virgil B.

I went on Gunbroker simple so I could pick my wood. If you order one you will not have a choice in the wood you get. I found Coopers all over the Country and had the sellers send me multiple pictures of the wood. The all shoot great....some just look better doing it!

+1. I bought my second two Coopers this way and got both a better price and great wood. The .270 has a wood upgrade that looks almost like it could be an exhibition grade. Another plus was the guns were in stock, no long wait.

Yep,

The "no wait" sounds GREAT! It would be worth the extra money.

I'll have to check out Gunbroker. Thanks!

Virgil B.

take a look at Gunsamerica.com - there are some high volume Cooper dealers who list there. I have had very good luck in dealing with Mark at First Stop Guns in Rapid City, they are a regular advertiser on Gunsamerica.

drover

Cooper will not let you order directly from them....only through a Cooper dealer...

I highly recommend Hendershots in Maryland for anything Cooper...I've never dealt with nicer folks....

www.hendershots.net

I bought mine from www.MichiganGunAndTackle.com

I am sure these other dealers are great guys but this is the only one I know of. They were pleasant to deal with and they had no issues with taking multiple pictures of multiple gun stocks for me.

I just bought 2 from Trader Bros. in Lolo MT. Great guys to deal with and really pretty wood. 17HMR LVT and a 22lr Jackson squirrel That looks like aaa.

Thanks guys!

I'll do more checking...Getting closer, got $1200. in the "kitty" now.

Virgil B.

One more question,

Can't seem to pull up Cooper rifles on gunbroker.

Could someone post a "link" ?

Found Coopers on GunsAmerica. Wow! there is some GOOD LOOKING Cooper on there!

Thanks! Virgil B.

Found a Cooper that I like at First Stop Guns.

Now all I need is more CASH! (grin!) It's $1500.

Virgil B.

WOW!!!

Found another That I like REALLY WELL, at Hendershots..

Beautiful wood, and a stainless/fluted barrel.

Looks like the "ante" on this one is $1999.95

Got to sell some more un-used guns, and work some more OT!!


Virgil B.

How often does that Mountie get used??

If there is a particular model you are looking for, Cooper will give the names of dealers that were shipped that particular model recently. Most dealers now have the capability to email photos of whatever they may have in stock.
I did this recently to find a Jackson Game Rifle in 6.5x284.

Whittaker's in KY have great prices, but will not email any photos.

jcf3202,

Thanks for the info! got another source now..

George, I don't shoot the Mountie much anymore. It's a great shooting rifle, It's just that I have several others that get used more.

If your intrested, I NEED CASH for my soon to be Cooper! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Search River oF Guns for "Cooper" everynow and then. You may come across a nice used one as well. I picked up this Model 57 Custom Classic used.

Beauuuutiful.

Wow!

That's one good looking Cooper!

What cal. ?

Virgil B.

Use the search engine over on Gunsamerica.com. They usually have a decent selection of new/used. Picked my Custom Classic M57 with French walnut earlier this year.

Alan

Alan,

Dat's one good looking Cooper!

Thanks for sharing!

Virgil B.

Vbsshootingrange: These folks in Ronan, Montana are Cooper dealers and they are not to far from the Cooper manufacturing plant.
I do not have personal knowledge of a "connection" between the Cooper folks and Ronan Sports but I DO know that over the years they have consistently had in stock the most beautiful Coopers of ANY stocking dealer I have visited - and I have visited a lot of them!
You might give these folks a call and/or just drive over there one weekend and look see what they got - its not far from Oregon!
Good luck in your search.


Local.comWeb ResultsMontana Great Outdoor Store Ronan Sports and Western
Montana Great Outdoor Store Ronan Sports and Western 204 Highway 93 South Ronan, MT 59864 USA 1(406)676-3701 or Fax # 1(406)676-3703 Open 9am to 6pm Daily ...

www.sportswestern.com/


Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I also pass through Ronan several times a year and stop in at Ronan Sports. They do have a good many Coopers in stock, I have only purchased one from them though because contrary to VG's opinion of "beautiful" Coopers unless the wood is an upgrade they have standard AA Cooper wood on them which can be a hit and miss proposition. When you start paying for wood upgrades the rifle price jumps quite a bit.

I know quite a few of the folks at the Cooper facility and I am usually there at least a half-dozen times a year. I have seen some wood rated as AA that is knockout beautiful and then I have seen some that is rated as AA+ and AAA that did not look any better than the standard AA.

I would not purchase a Cooper that I could not at least see a picture of the wood on because the beauty of wood is purely subjective. It is like women - what catches one mans fancy doesn't do a thing for someone else.

I have always had good luck with Mark at Gunsamerica, if you don't see what you are looking for on GA take a look at http://www.firststopgun.com/. Also you may want to give a call because quite often they have Coopers that may not be listed either on their website or GA. They also generally have some used Coopers for sale.

drover

Drover, Varmit Guy,

Thanks for the info! Got another source now...(grin!)

I'll keep looking! (hoping to have the CASH soon!)

Virgil B.

A friend of mine got the rare screwed up Cooper - it's a .17 HMR. He is a gunsmith, so he knows what's wriong with the gun.... the headspace is 10/1000ths off (the heads of fired cases look like the round heads of screws,) the crown is messed up - you can feel the jagged edges with yourr fingernail - and the gun wouldn't shoot into less than 3 inches at 100 yards.

Cooper is refusing to give him his money back...he is going to cut the gun into pieces with a chop saw and put them on a plaque at our gun club. He paid $1781 for it, and after the way he's been treated, he doesn;t want a replacement gun - just hi smoney back in exchange for the gun.

I was really surprised, as I would think that Cooper would want this unsafe and unsatisfactory rifle back! (Besides the lack of customer service this demonstrates...)

It happens sometimes, and I am surprised when it does, that the manufacturer sometimes takes that position. I commissioned a custom ultra-light rifle from a well-known maker who will remain unnamed. When the rifle arrived the metal work was what I would expect in a full custom gun... with the exception of the 1/2" sharp edged burr that curled up from the back of the action where the sides had been milled down to take out any excess weight. The burr was even nicely tefloned! The stock work looked like an apprentice's first project, shells wouldn't feed from the magazine, and the gun would not group any where near what it was guaranteed to. It took a year before I finally got my credit card company to refund the money to my account, and that was only long after I had sent the rifle back to the maker. Now, I am sure that rifle did not represent the product the guy built his reputation and business on. I just could never understand his refusal to make it right. Funny thing is, after that experience I decided to stick with Cooper because of the guaranteed accuracy and great value I have received from them. Curious, did your friend send the rifle back and ask it be made right or replaced before asking for a refund?

This just doesn't ring true. This is one of those stories that there is more to than is being presented here.

The first question that I have is -
Why would your friend expect Cooper to give his money back, Cooper only sells through authorized dealers, they do not sell to individuals. If he wants his money back he should talk to the dealer he purchased the rifle from.

What do you mean - "from the way he has been treated"? From your post it would appear that Cooper has offered to replace the rifle, what more could anyone expect the company to do? (refer back to last paragraph if you don't understand this statement).

I really wonder about the statement that he is going to cut the gun up. If he is so upset with Cooper that he is going to cut up a $1781 rifle just to prove a point I question his decision making processes. Why not send the rifle back to Cooper, have them fix any issues with it and if he wants his money back sell the rifle. Why would anyone be so hard-headed as to cut off their nose to spite their face??

I presently own 3 Cooper rifles and have owned 6 others, so I am familiar with Cooper rifles. Not only that but I live 140 miles from their facility and I know a great many of the folks there including the company owner, the management team, and most of the folks who build the rifles. I am not saying that it is not possible for a rifle to slip out with an issue but this sounds over the top. Especially when they test fire each and every rifle, and send a target with every rifle showing what the rifle did on their indoor test range. Yes, the test target is fired at slightly less than 50 yards but that does not translate into a 3 inch rifle at 100 yds. Especially since they guarantee the rimfires to shoot into 1/4 inch groups at 50 yards. Now this does not translate into 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards, but on a good calm day a good shooter can reasonably expect 1 inch groups at 100 yards with the 17 HMR. Given that scenario I wonder what conditions he was shooting his 3 inch groups under, was it windy, was he using windflags, was he using good bench techniques and equiptment, is he a capable benchrest shooter?

This post sounds like your friend has a bit of "buyers remorse" and is looking for someone to give him back the money he spent on the gun and it is unlikely that the dealer will do it and certainly it is unreasonable of him to expect Cooper to do it. The only thing I have got out of this post is that your friend is being unreasonable and is hard-headed. If there is more that would add some enlightment to the story I would love to read it.

drover

Calif. Hunter: Yours is the first "poor service" report I have heard regarding the Cooper Rifle Companay.
I personally have never owned a Cooper Rifle but I have bid on many of them, shot many of them and I Varmint Hunt with friends who own at least a dozen of them (including a couple in 17 HMR) and ALL of them get raves from their owners.
I am simply amazed that this 3" shooter got out of the factory in the condition you report!
The Coopers all come with a factory fired grouping target and unless something was afoul there at the factory the test target should have indicated something awry right then???
I don't know?
I have seen the "rounded screw head" cartridge cases from some out of sink Magnum Research 10/22 clones in 17 HMR but never from a bolt gun.
And I agree totally with you that one would think the Cooper folks would NOT want that errant 17 HMR to be out there for liability and PR reasons.
Even the best of companies will put out a clunker now and then it seems.
For instance, I purchased a beautiful (new) S&W Model 647 in caliber 17 HMR about 5 years ago and it came with a fired 17 HMR casing (brass) in a tiny envelope.
It turned out the S&W Model 647 was spraying my face with shavings from the bullet when I initially fired it and the bullets were keyholing on the target!
To make a long story short someone at the S&W factory had drilled the barrel but they forgot to cut rifling in it!
So when I touched off the 18 rounds of ammo that I fired in it the bullet was smashing into an undersized (un-rifled!) barrel with no place for the oversized slug to expand into.
Thus the painful splashing of the bullet material back into my face!
I returned the pistol through the dealer to S&W with a letter and a target explaining the situation and immediately the production supervisor of S&W called me at home and apologized for the "human error"! And he promised me a whole new pistol ASAP!
Needless to say the new S&W Model 647 was perfect and so exceptionally accurate that I still am amazed by it!
I have owned 10 dozen S&W pistols over the last 4 1/2 decades and this one was the only one of them with a factory defect.
Again, I am just dumbfounded to the point of incredulity that the Cooper folks have NOT offered to correct the Rifle/situation.
I should have had sense enough to look down the barrel of the pistol I bought and I would have seen the complete lack of rifling!
But your gunsmith friend could not have "seen" the headspace problem - maybe he should have seen or felt the jagged crown - but still its something that is not his fault and should have been covered by warranty or good will.
Let us know how that Cooper situation is solved.
I hope the Rifle does not get sawed up.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I am sure that if those who know the folks at Cooper ask about this story, they will get Cooper's side of it. The upshot is that he hung up when the female "head of sales at Cooper" asked him, "What the Hell do I have to do to get rid of you?" The story has spread, I am told, throughout Cooper.

I am sure that at least of a couple of you have been so disappointed with a product, especially one that was expensive, that you wanted nothng further to do with it and simply wanted your money back. My friend has no shortage of money, is almost 70, has no wife or kids and IS stubborn enough to cut the rifle into pieces and mount it on a plaque over the entrance to our underground range. He has been a head machinist for Boeing, a gunsmith and is fairly well known in CASS circles, setting up shop at most of the shoots here on the West Coast. He instructs at sniper classes for the FBI, the military and the various police departments. He also often works on their guns.

Drover -
Quote: Why would your friend expect Cooper to give his money back, Cooper only sells through authorized dealers, they do not sell to individuals. If he wants his money back he should talk to the dealer he purchased the rifle from.

That's not the way it works. The dealer tells you to take all product problems to the manufacturer, who is the one to rpovide warranty coverage/problem resolution. As Ron works for shops, he understands how it works and that it's the manufacturer's problem, not the dealer who simply sold him the rifle.

Also, Drover, you are being defensive and derogatory in stating that I am lying or my friend has "buyer's remorse." No such problem, and I really don't care what you think. My friend wanted a Cooper because they were supposed to be the best. In his opinion, he got a piece of crap. You are entitled to your opinion that Cooper can do no wrong and walks on water.

Drover - this guy was a national level position shooter with a Win 52 when he was younger. He was on the Advisory Board for Millett before Bushnell bought them. He is an instructor for military and police snipers. He was shooting in our undergound range, with bags, off a concrete bench. No wind. I have seen him shoot countless groups under .050 at 50 yards in our monthly matches there. I do not question his ability.

For additional info, he says that the crown was not jagged until after he shot it, and that small burrs inside were pushed out once he started shooting it.

I will pay your friend $250.00 for his Cooper and the time he took to call Cooper. He could then frame the check at your gun club along with his original receipt.

Getting real close to having the "funds" for the Cooper 57M Custom Sporter I have picked out.

Soon as funds arive for a "sold" gun, I've got it!

Hope the one I want isn't gone by then!

Getting REAL excited now....(GRIN!)

Virgil B.

Show us some pictures when you get it.

WAAAAHHOOOOO!

New Cooper Custom Sporter 17 HMR is on the way tomarrow! Should be here by the end of next week, gotta come from MD!

Ordered it with Tally rings. It comes with mounts. Should work great with a Leupold 4X12 A.O. or 3.5x10 A.O.

One excited old GUN LOONIE here! (Big GRIN!)

I'll have to get help running my new digital camera!

Virgil B.

jwill350,

There are pictures over on Hendershots web page.

Go to Cooper rifles, then scroll down to model 57M Custom Sporter in 17HMR.

There are about 5-6 pictures and a picture of the test target shot at 5o yards, with all 3 cutting the same hole.

There's got to be some way to cut and paste these pictures here, but I'm not computer savy enough to do it.

If someone knows how, I'd sure thank them!

Virgil B.

Can't wait to shoot it!!

Along with another lil' rifle. ....

Virgil's new rig







Didn't post the test target since the Ser # in on it.

That's a fine rifle friend. If your experience is anything like mine you will enjoy that rifle for years to come.

George,

Thanks much for posting pictures of my new rifle!

Am hoping to have funds for a scope soon, so you'll be able to shoot it when you come to pick up you're Mountie.


Virgil B.

hehehe ... I'm as giddy as a fat girl on prom-nite.

George,

I'm as giddy as a 16 year old boy on his first trip to a cat house!

Have never been this excited about a new gun.

The Cooper is exactly what I wanted. Just the right amount of figure in the stock, and with a stainless/fluted barrel and no beavertail fore end.

At my age (58), I didn't know I could still get this excited!

Soon as another gun sells, I've got scope money! I'm selling several to buy exactly what I NEED ! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Very Nice!!

Great looking Cooper, wait until you shoot it, then you will really be giddy.

drover

fw707 nice collection!

Virgil B, I sold 4 other really good guns to fund my last Cooper and don't regret it for a minute. I would rather have a small handful of exactly-what-I've-always-wanted guns than a bunch of merely really good ones.

cobrad,

That's the conclusion I finally came to.

ONE GREAT RIFLE, instead of several GOOD guns!

I'm keeping my Ruger 77-17, mainly for a "loaner" and backup.

Virgil B.

The problem here, is they are such nice rifles I have really been ruined for anything else. I took my Custom Classic .270 elk hunting this year, but now I am thinking maybe I should just use it for marmots, and buy an excalibur to hunt elk. It makes perfect sense.

Found my scope!!!

Went to the Eugene, Or. gunshow yesterday and found a Leupold 3.5 x 10 A.O. with CPC (tapered) crosshair.

Made a trade and took it home.

The rifle comes with Tally mounts, and I ordered Tally rings with it.

I'm all set now!!!

I'll be shooting the new rifle by this coming weekend! ( BIG GRIN!)

Virgil B.

P. S. I bought a brick of Hornady 17 HMR ammo at the gunshow also...

My new Cooper arrived!

Now I'm REALLY excited! It's even better looking in person, than in the pictures! and, the test target looks tighter also.

The guys at the gunshop mounted my 3.5 X 10 on it with the silver tally rings. Looks great with the stainless barrel!

One good "omen", They put the bore sighter on it and it was "dead nuts" without any adjustment.

Will be shooting by noon today! (BIG GRIN!!!!)

One excited old gun loonie! Virgil B.

Wanted to add;

Hendershots sent a cupon along with my new Cooper for $150. off my next Cooper rifle.

I won't be buying one in the near future and don't know if it's transferable but if it is someone is welcome to it.

Virgil B.

cobrad put "dibbs" on the cupon so, it's going to get used.

Also, I shot my new Cooper yesterday. It was 36 degrees when I shot. (burrr!) But still got 5 in .25 at 30 yards.

I know I'll do better on a warmer day.

This is my all time FAVORIT rifle!!!!

Had to sell four other guns and work lots of over time to get it but it is well worth it!

Virgil B.

Shot another 5 shot group today.

Got 5 into a group so tight I couldn't mesure it, but could cover the whole group with a 22 LR case, about 1/16" center to center. (30 yards)

Wow!! I'm very impressed with this rifle! (GRIN!) Look out, Sage Rats!!!!

Virgil B.

Thanks vb. Sounds like your experience with Cooper is identical to mine. These rifles are not traders, these are one's I'll keep. I've been shooting my Western Classing .22 since '98 and every time I uncase it I admire what a beautiful piece it is, and it only gets better at the range.

FWIW ... It is a nice rife ...damn nice ... I had a chance to shoot whilst visiting and picking up my new Mountie ... Which is dandy in it's own right!!

Feel free to deal with Virgil with total and complete confidence. He and his mrs. Were great folks to meet and chat with, wish I wouldn't have had schedule that day ... But did. Look forward to meeting him again .... Hopefully Mrs.Ava can go to .... I think she would love their place out away from it all.

Thanks Virgil ... Enjoy the Cooper, I will be diggin' the Mountie

George,

Thanks for the kind words.
Maybe this summer we can get together again.

Glad you're liking the Mountie. I hated parting with it, but HAD to HAVE that COOPER! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Got a picture of my new Cooper with the leupold 3.5X10 mounted on it.

Got my "little girl, Poncho" to help me post a picture!

Thanks! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Virgil
Way to go. I love my coopers.
Brad

That's a fine lookin' rifle Virgil. I'm not doing too much shooting now, skiing instead, but I get out the Coopers every so often just to pet 'em.

Haven't been shooting the Cooper much, but been off work for two weeks so I've been "guarding" my bird feeders from the front porch.

Did get my first "kill" with the Cooper last week. Took my dogs two days to sniff out all the "chunks" (GRIN!)

One shot, One kill!

LOVE this new rifle!

Virgil B.

Vbshootingrange: Wow what a great looking and great shooting Rifle you have there!
Good for you.
Use it with care and pride!
And another cause for your pride of ownership should be that the Rifle and the scope are both from American companies!
And now this - I present to you a "cyber" shooting invitation.
I have a Kimber Model 22 HS (Hunter/Silhouette) in 22 Long Rifle.
It has a Nikon 4.5x14 scope on it.
To date its best grouping (5 shots at 50 yards) has been .382!
And its average grouping (5 shots at 50 yards) has been .731"!
And therefore I "challenge" you to best those results with your Cooper Rifle.
By extrapolation of your 30 yard grouping out to 50 yards it looks like you should have no trouble besting my results with my very similar set-up to yours.
Best of luck and hoping you can best me in this "cyber" challenge!
By the way my results were obtained with various hollow-point cartridges as I use my Kimber for Ground Squirreling.
My Kimber has a 24" barrel that is partially fluted and is very similar to your Cooper in its configuration.
Hold int the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmitGuy,

I don't have a backstop at 50 yards.

I have a dirt bank and target board at 30 and a hillside with a target board at 100 yards.

Would like to put up a target board at 50, but it would be right on the edge of my lawn. (don't think the Wife would go for it!)
My "range" goes right alongside my house.

I'll shoot at 100 this weekend and see what I can do.

Sure am liking this new Cooper! (grin!)

Virgil B.

Virgil ... gonna have the Mountie and HMR out this weekend ... I'll try at 30 and 100 with the HMR and get back to with you!

Virgil,

That sly little smile of yours reminds me of either a cat with a mouth full of canary ... or a fox leaving a hen house.

Either way .... can't be favorable for the furry vermin that may be attacking your bird feeder.

George,

This Cooper just brings out some of the "Little boy" in me when it comes to shooting furry critters!

I get so excited it's a wonder I can hit anything! (GRIN!)

Virgil B.

VB, I get the same feeling. I dig one of them out and my first reaction is always a wow, that is a beautiful rifle. I remember being a boy and looking in Outdoor Life at the beautiful custom guns O'Connor used and thinking some day I'm going to have one of them. My .270 is that rifle for me. It never fails to impress me the tight groups such beautiful rifles shoot too. There is a lot of pride of ownership in my Coopers for me.

Cobrad,

Let us know if you're able to use the Hendershots cupon.

Gotta post pictures if you get another Cooper!

I'm liking this Cooper better than any rifle I've ever owned!

Virgil B.

I'll let you know. I haven't had time to call Cooper yet, but I read that they are coming out with magnums next. I would wait a little if I could get a 7 mag. I'm thinking maybe another varmint variation for 1000 yard marmots. Those 180 gr. VLD bullets have a super high BC.

Vbshootingrange: Good for you with the "nearby" the house range!
I would give one of my eyeteeth for a range at my house.
My public range is 8 miles away and my friends private range is 25 miles away - this range though is VERY much protected from the prevailing wind.
Nope don't make the Mrs. mad - keep the shooting a respectable distance from the house.
Let us know how the hundred yard shoot goes with your beautiful Rifle.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmitGuy,

It's been raining "cats & dogs" all weekend and the Cooper isn't going out in the rain. Won't take a chance on getting it wet!

Will have to put off my 100 yard shoot 'till dryer weather.

I'll keep you posted on results.

Virgil B.

Resurrecting this old thread for a moment. Cooper is showcasing their new model 56 at the shot show today. I just got off the phone with them. Looks like I'll be able to get my excalibur in 7 mag this summer.

Unfortunately,the model 56 price is ridiculous compared to the model 52 and model 54.I have a 7mmstw on order,but it will be my only model 56.

What's the 56 going for, if you don't mind me asking?