Cooper Firearms of Montana PROS & CONS?

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So I was at Sportsmans Warehouse with idea I would play with some Savage rifles. I had already played with some at another shop and found a 22-250 model 12 VLP that I liked very much. I am/was very tempted to get it.

Anyways, I am at Sportsmans, and I just notice really nice stock with the buick vents and I am like, oh thats nice. Then I look her up and down and go..."Are you F-ing kidding me?!?!?!" :eek:

Ya, a chain store like Sportsmans just started to carry Cooper rifles. :D

So I play with both of them (a 204 Varminter and a 223 Montana Varminter).
Needless to say after I tried to pick up a Savage, or a Ruger, or a Remington, or a Kimber, or a few others, they never felt quit that 'solid' as they did before.

The worksmanship on these Coopers was just unbelievable. The Wood on the forarm were it follows the barrel was straight. Not 'kinda straight' or 'eh, thats good enough'.

The operation of the bolt was just like magic.

I am sold. As soon as I unload my Ruger No. 1 I am getting one of them.


I really want a .204, but its just a Varminter and not a Montana Varminter. Although, the Varminter didn't look half bad, infact it really grew on me. The website picture wasn't as nice as the actual gun.


So if you are still reading I have a question.

What are some of the cons of Cooper Firearms of Montana? Are there any? What about barrel life. Savage used 'button something'....are these the other type that last a long time?
What about a 22-250? How long of life should I get from that if I went that route?
 
Well, if I am not mistaken, Cooper guarantees accuracy (well on that point I am certain). But I think they mean if it ever fails to shoot as it should, they will fix it. So basically if you shoot out a barrel to the point it doesn't shoot 1/2 moa (centerfire) they will rebarrel it or do what it takes. So who cares how long the barrel lasts. As long as you own it the rifle shoots right or they fix it.

My complaint with Cooper is that beautiful wood. It is so nice, I just cringe at the thoughts of using it in some conditions. I actually would be happier with high quality synthetic for use. But the actions, trigger and all that are darn good. They have excellent workmanship as you saw. And are highly accurate as well.

My other complaint is, once you have one, you tend to want another whether you need it or not.

PS-what caliber #1 are you selling, I might be interested.
 
The No. 1 is a Stainless BBL laminate stock in a .204


Was that your review I found on the search the other day? Good write up.
 
Not sure, about the review. Could have been. I have a #1 in 45 70 and have owned some Coopers.

I was maybe interested in a #1 in 375 H&H.

A Cooper in .204 would likely be yummy.
 
esldude is right, cooper is slow and takes their time putting out rifles that in thier minds have no equal. the problem is the cost. however, they are guaranteed 1/2 moa, and they will bend over backwards to make sure that nothing ever is wrong with your rifle. their service may be slow sometimes, but you can rest assured that it will meet or surpass your expectations.
Ohter dude is also right, i have a cz 527 , and a post ww2 parker hale, they have such beautiful wood, i would not dream of taking them into the field.
Coopers' wood is better than that.
 
Reading the posts from above I've begun to believe that the whining about "Pre 64" this or that and quality of an age gone by has lost significant traction. I'm especially glad to read that they are not only beautiful but they are guaranteed to shoot well. Just how much money are you folks talking?
 
I did remember one other caveat to their guarantee. On some calibers, they specify bullets and handloads to use. On others they suggest high quality off the shelf ammo. If you don't handload, then this might be a problem. Now that said, Coopers seem to shoot well with most reasonable loads.
 
Reading the posts from above I've begun to believe that the whining about "Pre 64" this or that and quality of an age gone by has lost significant traction. I'm especially glad to read that they are not only beautiful but they are guaranteed to shoot well. Just how much money are you folks talking?
Click to expand...

The Varminter model is selling at the store for $1198. They have the Montana Varminter (I think 100% the same but with a vented forearm) for $1429 or 1450 I forget.
 
From Coopers web site..

Test targets are provided with each rifle. 22 LR’s are guaranteed to shoot 1/4" 5-shot groups at 50 yards using premium grade match ammunition. 22 Hornet family cartridges are guaranteed to shoot 1/4" 3-shot groups at 50 yards using hand loads. All other centerfires are guaranteed to shoot 1/2" 3- shot groups at 100 yards using hand loaded ammunition.
Click to expand...

Cooper only guarantees them to shoot this way when new. The barrel will wear out at varying rates depending on cartridge and will have to be replaced by the owner, the same as anyother manufacture would require.
Cooper makes a very high quality firearm. I would love to have nothing but in my safe, but they only offer a single shot in the cartridges I`m interested in. The prices would hold me back on owning very many to begin with.
 
I prefer my vintage Steyrs in .223 or .22-250!

Coopers are nice but I like my vintage Steyrs in .223 & .22-250 with the double-set triggers! The other excellent guns are the vintage Walther KKJ's in .22 L.R., .22WMR, or the centerfire .22 Hornet. Also if heavy isn't a problem try Remington 40XB's!:)
 
The Cooper is nice, but is single shot, as Ol' Joe mentioned. The Steyr Mannlichers, as noted by CCWMAN, are repeaters and shoot as good in my experience. The Steyr is about it, as far as I'm concerned.
 
I bought a Cooper Model 22 in 7mm-08 last year. It was the only one I could find in Eastern PA. The test target that came with the rifle was a .09" 3 shot group. They identify the bullet and powder used on the test target. You have to figure out the charge weight. I'm getting 3/4" 5 shot groups using a VariX III 1.75 - 6. If you like Coopers, don't look at Dakotas.
 
Cooper's

After reading about, then looking at and finally handling several, I finally ordered a Cooper. Was going to get one in .221 Rem. F.B., or maybe .204 Ruger, but figured for the price, why not get one in a calibre big enough for whitetail. After talking to the folks out in Montana, several times, I ordered one in 6.5-284 Win. They claim it is one of the "more accurate" ones they build. I ordered it in a synthetic stock, called the "phoenix". I too, was a little concerned about taking that nice stock out of doors. Anyway am still waiting.
I did manage to buy one in .17Mach II, from an individual off of a similar forum. It is in the new model called the "Jackson Squirrel Rifle", in .17 Mach II. Shoots superb, and quite deadly on coons and foxes, and crows. It does digest Hornady and CCI ammo very well, and I am eagerly awaiting my Phoenix.
I am a Ruger No.1 Addict, but I figured I was not getting any younger, and ....................Why Not?
 
Friend of mine (and i use the term loosley) brought one of these foul Coopers to my range awhile back. I'll admit it looks a little nicer than my Remmy. And if forced I can face the fact that it shoots as good (or better even after tweakin' mine a bit) and if we're going to crunch nuts....the machining is probably better.

But here is where I come out on top. I was able to buy my Remington for $825, had a trigger job done and some accuracy to the tune of $350 and ......oh, never mind. Just go get the danged Cooper.

Smoke

Edited to add:
Oh I just see you did. Enjoy the danged thing, but don't bring it around here. They cause jealousy.
 
I also know of problems...and I still wouldn't hesitate to purchase another. Every company puts out some duds. The real question is how they deal with them.

As a matter of fact, the guy I know had to return two guns. On one...the extractor lost its tension quite quickly. Same guy, different gun had to have the barrel replaced.

The point of the story is that Cooper paid to have them returned to the factory, fixed the problem, test shot them to ensure they were up to standards and returned them.

Either way, when you spend $1,200+ on a firearm that touts their specs, they take care of ya...

No worries.

Ed
 
I own two Coopers, bought both from my father....One in .221 Fireball and the other in .222 Remington. For the money I don't think that there are any modern rifles that match the craftmanship, quality, accuracy and price.

I don't shoot them much, I can't shoot .5" groups at 200yds with any regularity (only by pure dumb luck) and don't want to go rambling through the woods with a nice rifle.

They are joy to hold and admire though.
 
I've been looking at the Coopers as well. They look really nice. However, I too was disappointed that they don't make a .308 or 30-06 repeater.
 
I've been looking at the Coopers as well. They look really nice. However, I too was disappointed that they don't make a .308 or 30-06 repeater.
Click to expand...

Ya, the only repeater is their rimfires. And even those I find hard to call repeaters at 4-5 rounds. I really miss the good old tube feed .22's. IMO that squirl rifle of Coopers would really be the ultimate squire rifle if you had 15-17 rounds lined up under the barrel. I wish a company would make a really nice quality 22 that is tube fed.
 
How many shots do you need to hit a squirrel? :) They do sell extra mags.

Anybody remember the post about the guy who bought a like-new used Cooper that wouldn't shoot straight and they rebarreled it for free? Now that's customer service.

I love my Custom Classic .22LR.

John
 
I guess you will know my response by my handle

I have three and need 10 more....221 Fireball w/ fluted barrel in Montana Varminter with a 24x Sightron; 223 Varminter with a 36 power Weaver; And my baby...22-250 Montana varminter ...8 x 32 Night force NXS ( what a gun and wow what a scope...Night force puts my leupolds, Weavers, Nikons and Sightron to Shame!!! As for Coopers......they are the BEST!!!! Best groups I have ever gotten...and I have shot alot in 51 years. Kenny
 
How many shots do you need to hit a squirrel? They do sell extra mags.
Click to expand...

Ya but I don't like detachable mags. Plus its nice to load up and it will last for a good while if you just want to shoot whatever you see.
 
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