Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Cooper 54 7-08

Somebody please elaborate on the pros and cons of this rifle. All I know is what I read on the 'net....never laid eyes on one. I have a Tikka T3 (actually it's my son's) that shoots exceptionally well, so why would I spend the $$$ on a 54 when I could buy my own Tikka, Kimber, Win 70 FN, etc. Is the Cooper 54 all it's cracked up to be? Thanks.

Coopers are nice, but you hit the nail on the head when you asked why spend the money when you can get a Tikka....

Use the difference for another trophy fee....

You're welcome

Look forward to comments also. Never owned a Cooper and considering a Model 54 Jackson Hunter .243.

Why spend the money on a Tikka when you could buy a Ruger American Rifle. I've yet to see one that isn't a tack driver. What about a Savage Axis?

It's all about quality and pride of ownership...

.....and this comes from a guy that has owned Cooper's, Ruger American Rifles and a Tikka. I won't buy an Axis....my hypocrisy only goes so far!

Thanks shortaction, but (respectfully) I'm not interested in a Ruger American v Tikka. I'd buy the Tikka every day and twice on Sunday's. I'm wanting to find out all I can about the Cooper 54's. Thanks though.

My post wasn't directed at you..I was having fun with Ingwe.

I see the Cooper as a custom rifle. They can be ordered to the customers specifications. Each rifle gets individual attention. No slave bedding and the metal is fitted nicely to each stock. The accuracy guarantee (Tikka has one too) and willingness to rebarrel at no charge after the barrel is shot out is a nice touch. All parts are metal and are totally void of plastic.

My "fun" with Ingwe was just fun. In my opinion there are a few things more to a rifle than accuracy -- hence the reference to the Ruger American and Savage.

The Cooper is as close to custom as it gets for a production rifle.

One con on the Cooper -- the bolt lift is stiffer than the Tikka. The three lug design takes a bit more effort to raise the bolt and eject a fired round. The Cooper bolt rides as smooth as the Tikka, but bolt lift is tighter...

I purchased one but it has yet to shoot a 140 grain load decently. Test target came with it using 130 SMK and IMR 4064. I refuse to use the SMK for hunting so that doesn't help me and not many manufacturers make a 130 grain hunting bullet. I am now waiting to shoot some 120 NBT and Barnes TTSX to see how they do. I have a feeling they should do great, if not I will be upset I spent the money I did!
The Cooper is very well fitted, finished, and has a great adjustable trigger! One of the nicest I have ever used. It is very light as well and is supposed to be accurate still waiting on that aspect. I don't know many people who do not like their Coopers so I don't think you would be displeased about purchasing one. I never new they would rebarrel free of charge that is a nice perk!

I've shot several and seen a few more. Fine rifles for sure. The workmanship is first rate.

On the accuracy end, they're shooters, but so are Tikka's and Browning's.

They are a cut above factory offerings IMO. Especially the wood stocked versions.

If you've never owned a 3 lug bolt gun, you'll probably have to get used to the stiffer bolt lift when you start to cycle the action.

Never bothered me because I've shot 3 lug guns for years. Some folks consider them heavy. I don't.

Hope this helps.

Big box store around here has a good selection of Coopers and a couple Forbes. Fit and finish are flawless on the Coopers. Triggers are sweeeet! A lot more stable off hand than you would think for the weight. They feel larger than they weigh. If that makes sense. And you can order threw them to get what mods you want. They can also work more on the price with a special order verses a on the shelf. $1700-$2400
The Forbes is the perfect rifle. If it didn't have that dam cheek piece... And it was stainless.....And short action... And chambered for 260 twisted at 8.
$1400 for a cm LA. You won't see any difference in a Forbes verses Cooper in any department.
I have yet to sit behind either one and make them go bang but it might be something to think about. You could slap a Z3 on the Forbes and be done for the same coin.

There really isn't a good answer that anyone can give you. Try spending a bit of time with a Cooper if possible to see how it feels, because that's the only way to tell if the price is worthwhile to you. My Coopers have a special feeling to me that makes them very much worth the cost, but other guys have shot my guns and not walked away with the same feeling. Everyone agrees that the rifles are nice, but not all feel that they are special. That's about the best way I can put it into words that might stand some chance of making sense. Hope it helps.

Sir,
A couple thought in regards to your questions above.
JG, from what I�ve read I�d bet you�re a guy that knows and uses quality gear. I continually say that I�m very sorry for going first class. Also, I always like to have an exit strategy. Nikon Monarchs and Sightron are good glass, but 5 to 10 years after you buy them, they don�t command the price that a comparable Leupold will. Kinda like a Harley vs. Susuki. I happen to think (JMHO, and its certainly not objective) that pre-enjoyed Coopers, if bought right are one of the best values going. Yes you can probably buy cheaper, but I learned a long time ago that of the four variables, price, availability, quality and service, it�s very hard to get the best of all four at once. I find that the memory of lesser quality lingers long after the joy of low price fades.
I�ve owned quite a few rifles over the last twenty years, including a dozen plus Coopers. I got started buying Cooper�s years ago when all they made was single shot rifles. Seems they were worried about the �� at 100 yd. guarantee in conjunction with a bolt action. At that time the only way a fellow could have a 17 Ackley Hornet, a 17 HeBee, 20 Vartarg (20-221 fireball) or a Tactical 20 (20-223) was to have Bullberry, Virgin Valley or EA Brown to make you a barrel for your Contender or have a custom rifle built, unless he bought a Cooper. At that time they had the model 36 rim-fire which was a repeater, and their model 21, 22, and 38, all single shots. All but one of my Coopers have been single shots. All but one were purchased for less than 13 Benjamins, and most for around $1,050. The model 52 (long action) came on the scene first. Then the model 54 (short action) and then the Model 56 (magnums).
I�d say that the pros were the quality of the wood, fit, finish, consistency and accuracy, balance, crisp adjustable trigger, and pride of ownership.
I own/have owned a number of synthetic stocked rifles, but I love the warmth of Wood.



IIRC I paid around $1,050 for this Model 22 Varmint Extreme, it was pre-enjoyed, but no where near shot out.
Here is how it shot, consistently




Here is the one repeater that I�ve owned. It is a model 52, Jackson Game, in 25-06.



Not a one holer, but better than a 1� shooter at 100. Picked it up for $1,250 with 5 boxes of premium Ammo.

A model 22 Varmint extreme in 308 Win.



Shoots like this





The most accurate 22 Hornet I�ve ever owned, would do better than �� at 100 with Lil Gun. This is a Model 38 Classic. Bought it way back paid 10 Benjamins for it with the scope.

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/Rifles/IMG_9015_zps7d93ec98.jpg[/img]

Here�s a model 22 Montana Varminter in 6.5 x 284.
[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/Rifles/mtv1_zps4b27c939.jpg[/img]

Shooting the corners with the 6.5 x 284
[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSCN5941.jpg[/img]

3 @ 100

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSCN5943.jpg[/img]

3 @ 200 My point of aim for this target was the top left hand corner of the intersection of orange. I was shooting the corners. This was one of my first load combinations for this rifle.

The con�s,
Not enough model 52�s and 54�s at the price I want to pay.

On the repeaters, unless they have changed you have to load the rounds into the magazine before you place the DM in the receiver. Cartridges cannot be fed through the receiver into the DM. I can live with that as I almost never need more than one round, and usually have time for a second shot if necessary.
For me, the Jackson hunter and the Classic are my favorite stock styles. However being a gun whore, if the price is right, I�ll slum a Varminter, Montana Varminter or a Varmint Extreme.

Best

GWB

Very nice Geedub, muchas gracias amigo! Thanks to all of you guys. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, so this all helps. Would love to find a mint used one, but I can be impatient.