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.

I'll check these other gunmakers out. Im close enough to make a drive and have a chat with Cooper if they allow it. Then about 20 miles east there is Defensive Edge. If I were going to have a full custom built I would like to handle the stock and see the components. I could handle a bit longer stock.

I have a few rifles but all are factory. I thought I would treat myself to something special. LOL.

I have 2 nice scopes and they are the real reason I wanted another rifle. No use setting on the shelf with nothing to put them on.


Thanks for the advice guys!!

I'm not against getting a 7mm-08. My wife has one in a model 7 stainless and it's a tack driver. She has taken a few elk, s moose and a nice whitetail buck with it and all have dropped in their tracks.

Maybe I should checkout this Fieldcraft rifle.

I've guided only one hunter that had a Cooper. It developed feeding issues so he had a very expensive single shot for the duration of his hunt. Of the choices you listed I would pick a Nosler all day. Your budget would allow you to get one of their custom rifles too.

I've owned quite a few Coopers, and only had an issue with two early production M52's. Serial numbers were in the low 100's.

Dan Cooper paid to next day air them both ways, and I had them both back in less than a week.

The rest were all good.

From what I hear, their customer service is still just as good today.


From all reports, you could not go wrong with a 7-08 Fieldcraft, and the price is very attractive.

But if you really want a 280AI, you should get one. Don't compromise.

I’d get a Barrett Fieldcraft in The LA of your choice. I far and away prefer it to the SA version primarily because it has a no.2 contour and 24” bbl. You can always cut the 24” barrel, but you can’t add length or beef to the 21” no.1 contour of the SA Filedcraft.

THIS ^^^
Then invest the balance toward some good glass, and go hunt.
Good luck in your decision !

The L/A Fieldcrafts are Goat Fhuqks,due mag constraints and the S/A versions blow them out of the fhuqking water,due the fact they are mechanically aligned in RPM,throat geometry and COAL latitude.

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

I'm not sure what the 24" 7-08 has over the 21" 7-08? Ditto in the Creedmoor.

And, if you're using a decent scope (read 3-9MQ or 6X MQ), its easy to dial the drop or use the reticle to aim.

The longer action and barrel doesn't seem to offer anything of substance?

The point is the barrel contour difference. IMO Barret screwed the pooch putting a no.1 contour on its SA's...

The longer action and barrel offers better balance and, at least for me, balance is an important attribute in the overall package..

As noted previously, the short action Fieldcrafts that I've handled were all butt-heavy like the Remington Sevens with 18.5" and 20" barrels tend to be.

The bulk of that "better balance" is the no. 2 contour found on the LA. But I agree, the SA's no.1 barrel is too short and it does balance more like that ultimate POS the Rem 7... but a 21" no.2 contour would have helped big time. 22"+ would have been even better.

I've fired some impressive (for me) sub 1" 10 shot groups with my 21" 6.5 Creedmoor Fieldcraft. I'm not sure the heavier barrel adds to precision. And I'm with Stick on the long action. IMHO, and I have a fraction of the experience of you all, long actions are overcome by great rounds now available for short actions.

Balance, that's an individual thing.

The ability to shoot small groups is only one small aspect of what makes a great HUNTING rifle...

What is the internal length of the mag on Kimber SA and LA's?

2.840" and 3.360" +/-

I like the Kimber SA, the LA not so much... both would be far better with no.2 contours.

I've spent a fair amount of time with the #0 contour 21" 6.5 Fieldcraft and the #2 contour 22" 6.5 Fieldcraft (not as much time w/the #2). Shooting prone, both of them put up impressive groups, even over long shot strings. From a rest I'll take either of them. Shooting offhand I'm steadier with the #2. That's it in a nutshell for me.

I like the balance on the long action I have but I've had trouble spending much time with it....I just keep grabbing the short actions. A longer mag box and it would check all the boxes for my preferences, but I shouldn't complain as I've not even run any long bullets in it.

Which gets back to the point that several of us advocated. If you have $3500 to spend BUILD THE SUMBITCH!

I think JCM nailed it.

Get the 22” Black and Green Fieldcraft in 6.5 Creedmoor, top it with a 3-9 SWFA mil/mil first focal plane scope, buy 800 rounds of Hornady American Gunner 140 BTHP bulk ammo for practice and a case of 200 143 ELDX precision hunter and go forth and kill God’s creatures big and small.

Not a fan of Ceracote, and have no desire to take the thing to the smith and spend good money to cut off the barrel tumor to end up with a 21" barrel, when the 6.5x55 or 270 already exist, Ceracote free, and with longer no.2 contours.

Truth is, the 6.5x55 might be the best rifle Barrett makes... but to each his own.

Exactly!!

I've more than a "few" Custom Montuckys and all got better,wearing less shank and a contour dupe...but at least you get to read about it. The Barrett in original guise,has no S/A equal,nor is anything even close.

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

A S/A twisted/throated right and wearing the COAL latitude to align same...will simply outpace a L/A which don't.

Why?!? Because bullets matter wayyyyyyyyyy more than headstamps.

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

It sounds like you haven't owned/handled many rifles, especially customs. I'd be hesitant to plunk down $3500 for a custom without having a very good understanding of what components I was selecting and why. To quote an american cinema masterpiece "you're like a blind man picking out his favorite porno!" Unless of course you have cash to burn, then go right ahead and be sure and post pictures!

Agreed, balance is an individual thing, but so are the other physical attributes of firearms. We fall back into the whole CHEVY/DODGE/FORD thing, proving that one size/style/design/make/model doesn't fit all.

I have a Forbes 24B in 6.5x55 and think that it is well balanced for a factory rifle. Short and light are attributes that don't add a lot of value for me, but I have about double the number of SA bolt action rifles than LA bolt action rifles because I shoot more short cartridges. In this case, my definition of "short" means cartridges with case lengths less than 55mm that aren't 284 WIN or wildcats based on the 284 WIN case.

I know the post was more in regards to LA vs. SA Fieldcrafts, but out to 2000 yards a 24" 9 twist Kimber Montana 280AI with Hornady 168 ELDM's outpaces a 21" 8 twist Fieldcraft with 180 ELDM's (and of course, does the same if they both use 168's).

The 7-08 may catch it somewhere, but only well beyond the effective range of most.

Velocities are maximums from Nosler, adjusted 25fps per inch for barrel length.


The 7-08 may be more fun to shoot at the range, but when it comes to hunting there's no replacement for displacement.

Let me explain. a few things. I have got, arthritis and hemochromotosis . I'm getting cripple up pretty badly. I am just interested it a lightweight rifle. Everything we own except my wife's model seven is 9+lbs. Just need to reduce some weight on everything hoping that will give me a few more years in the field.

Sent you a PM.

I got a Cooper Model 92 Backcountry in .280 AI a few weeks ago. It fits me well, and the balance is good for me. With a Swarovski Z3 3-9x it weighs 7 pounds exactly. So far I have tried loading just one powder (Hunter) with Barnes LRX 145 gr bullets. After a little fiddling with seating depth my best load (60 gr of Hunter) gave a 0.5 inch 4 shot group at 3050 fps.. I'm going to load more ammo with the same formula and gather more data.

More fun to shoot at the range leads to more shooting, which leads to better bullet placement when hunting, and better bullet placement trumps displacement.

Funny schit! That due the fact,that the only thing you "shoot" is your mouth and Imagination. Congratulations?!?

You GoogleFu DUMB Fhuqks are a hoot!

Bless your heart.

Laughing!...................

So, no real answer?



So you can't dispute the facts? Just prefer to insult me?

Have we reached the point where nobody can shoot well with an '06-based round?

You've reached the point,where you are talking out your ss,about wares you've never even seen...let alone used and it is fhuqking fascinating,how much you wish to prove something sooooooooo VERY fhuqking obvious.

Folks who "know" and "do" as "much" as you,will ALWAYS be best served by asking questions,rather than trying to give "answers". Hint.

Multiple examples,of said wares,in this frame alone. Hint.



Just how fast do you push your Imaginary 168's,in your Imaginary 280AI and say sumptin' about COAL...but tread fhuqking lightly. HINT.

Laughing!............................

Kimber 280AI Classic Stainless

162 ELDM
Nosler brass
Fed 210 match
RL26


3005 fps




Now, how fast is that 7-08 180?

More fun to shoot and cheaper to shoot, means more shooting, and that means better shooting. Plain and simple. Volume breeds familiarity with your DOPE, which never hurts one’s ability to hit what he aims at.

So, you sold your 7WSM?

Negative, but I can place a 108 ELD from my comp 6 Creed with greater precision at any given range than my 7WSM’s, unless the wind is really fickle. Critters are likely in just as much danger, if not more, from a 108 ELD as a 180 ELD, despite the displacement difference.

Besides, variety is the spice of life, and I ain’t in the business of selling guns for no reason

Agreed, and that's why I have a heavy barrel 6.5 Creed.

But the OP already has a 7-08 in house, and (I guess) he was looking for a little more and landed on the 280AI.

Variety IS the spice of life.

No argument there, I was just pointing out that more displacement doesn’t necessarily mean more deadly, when it comes to hunting.

2650fps is a literal breeze.

Hint.

Dangle a pic of the 280AI,because it WILL be fhuqking funny!

Re-hint......................

The other day I was at GUNSUNLIMITED and handled Fieldcrafts in 270 and 6.5 Creedmoor one after the other. The SA Fieldcraft felt very muzzle-light, making it feel butt-heavy to me, so balance wise it reminded me of a light Remington Seven. The LA Fieldcraft felt as though it had a neutral balance and pointed more naturally as it came to the shoulder, sort of like a CLR or NULA 24. That has been my experience handling the Fieldcrafts. As they say, YMMV.

Note to the OP, $3,500 would probably buy you a CLR/NULA hybrid, with just the CLR action being retained, and a matched NULA 20 rimfire repeater to use as an understudy.

Haven't much handled 'em...but have shot THE fhuqk outta them.

Not to slight your counter top "critique".

Hint.

Laughing!..........................