Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles How does Cooper load for their test targets?

I'm guessing they don't just take 4 new cases, load a good match bullet if available in that caliber, load a powder that has been good in the past, then shoot one to dirty the bore and shoot the next 3 for the test target which always is one ragged hole. I wonder how many loads and groups they have to shoot to get that one hole group. I'm thinking that one method to get that tiny group without a lot of trial and error might be to use just one case. Shoot it once or twice to fire form it, then load that same case 3 times for the test target group. Anybody actually seen how they shoot these test targets? I know they shoot at 40 yards, indoors, with expert bench shooters with the finest bags and the best technique. But still....

Those targets are shot with a 1970s vintage Model 700 and factory ammo;)

They have a guy I believe his name is Bill who works up most of the loads. I have called Cooper Customer service and he will give you three or four different handloads for your particular rifle.
Most of the 06 loads were with IMR 4350.

He said that Cooper generally uses a ladder test and the guns seem to do a bit better loaded under the maximum.

Just call up their customer service and they will get you the info.

Sincerely,
Thomas

I think I read those groups are shot at 45 yards...really.

I have seen that too. Also, every one of those cooper targets I've seen is a 1-holer. I personally haven't had a rifle shooting 1 hole at 50 yds that didnt also shoot tiny groups at 100. Can't comment past 100.

I'm a little biased cause I would love to have one of those cooper sporters in .250 sav. The 45 yd groups are good enuff to convince me!

Is a one hole group from 40-45 yards in an indoor range that impressive?

Not dissing Cooper, actually trying to show some restraint

I don't know how Cooper loads for their test targets. I know how I load for mine. One at a time, and end up with a trickle........

One hears stories about the Cooper test targets. After owning dozen or so, all which shoot better than this old man does, I don�t much worry about getting one that doesn�t shoot. I�ve even got over not all of them coming with a test target. All but one of mine have been purchased pre-enjoyed for less than 12 Benjamins. Consequently if one was not to shoot, I�d disclose that to the prospective buyer and take the hit when I sold or just call the Cooper folks and see whether they would offer to help. So far that has not been a problem.

The following groups were shot out of a pre-enjoyed Cooper Montana Varmint Model 22. The scope is a 4.5 x 14 x 50 Zeiss MC. These are single shot rifles. My thoughts, I�m not after DG, usually shooting from either a stand or off shooting stix. Almost never need a second shot so, SS�s are no problemo.

As you can see, Cooper probably wouldn�t hire me to test their guns





As my 100 yd. groups aren�t much better than my 200 yd. groups.

I call this shooting the corners.








[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN7828.jpg[/img]
This one has corners. They are just inside the circle.

Now if I could just learn to keep those crosshairs steady����.

But what the hey, the rifle knows what to do when pointed at game. It�s a real heart stopper.

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/IMG_8919-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN7652.jpg[/img]

Best

GWB