Cooper 52

[EchoM70]

Just got a promotion (finally) and I'm looking to purchase a rifle that I can be proud to own and pass down to my kids and eventually grandkids and so on. I've been looking at a Cooper 52 Classic in either 25-06 or 30-06. I already have a 30-06, but the cartridge seems so perfect for a family heirloom type rifle.

Any opinions on the Cooper 52? I've only seen one in person before never had the opportunity to hold one. There is an authorized dealer a couple of hours from where I live and I plan on dropping by there soon to look at a few different models, but I believe I have my heart set on the 52. How is the accuracy of these things? I believe I read somewhere there is a half-moa guarantee on them, is this true? While this will be a future family heirloom I plan on using it also. Any comments on your Cooper or the Cooper brand in general would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Also how do these compare to Sako, Kimber, Weatherby Mark V, etc... In terms of value and quality?

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

With as little as I do know about the Coopers, they're supposed to be one of the finest crafted rifles in their price-range. That is all I do know.

 

[Tim the student]

I have no firsthand experience with them either - but I have seen a few in person. They are gorgeous rifles, and would make one heckuva an heirloom, IMO.

 

[dubbleA]

I have a handfull of Coopers. They are put together well, use a Remington style trigger which can be taken down to a pound or so without any problems, blueing whether matte or polished is well done, wood quality and embelishments are left up to the buyer. I have sent Cooper my own stock blanks for them to use on my rifles with no problem other than they dont off any price reduction for doing so. (they do have fairly strict standards on wood quality ie moisture content )

You can find "ready to purchase" Coopers online or you can order one to your specs and wait usually about 6 months to a year to recieve it. The last one I did that way was 7 1/2 months.

My experinces with them are they can certainly shoot if you can hold your end up. They do offer 1/2 moa accuracy at 100yards and mine will do that with handloads. Have matched the little bughole targets they shoot/test fire at 42 yards at 100yds. They used to share load data if you called and asked for it, just supply them with the cartridge/serial #.

All in all I am very satisfied with mine. You wont find much on folks that are not happy with theirs.

Here's a screen saver picture I took of one.

 

[jehu]

I looked hard at the Cooper line when I was buying some rifles and they looked to be fine weapons. But I ended up with Sako's, now have 8, which were less $ and would do everything the Cooper line said their's would do.

 

[R H Clark]

I've never owned a Cooper.I have researched quite a bit on line so take it for what it's worth.There have been some ejection issues before a recent change.There were a couple reports of poor CS about the ejection issue and something else I can't remember.It's very likely,you would get a fine rifle.

Personally I would buy a minty pre Beretta Sako.I have had personal very bad CS with Beretta.I had to return a defective rifle and when I got it back,the reciever was chewed up terribly as if someone had clamped it in an unpadded vice and it had slipped.Beretta denied any responsibility,claiming an improperly packaged bolt had slipped in transit and done the damage.It didn't matter to them when I pointed out that there wasn't a single mark on the bolt and it was still secured when the box was opened.

 

[BrainOnSigs]

My Cooper Model 52 Excalibur in .25-06 has become my dedicated Pronghorn rig and has reaped several for me.



Be careful buying Coopers....you won't stop at one. (BTW: I don't own any that will not shoot sub 1/2 MOA with hand loads with most shooting sub 1/4 MOA)

 

[chinchilla]

BrianonSigs, you are my hero hahaha, very nice collection. I have a few Coopers and they are my favorite. My Model 22 Varminter Extreme in 22-250 will shoot a five shot group under 1/2" at 200 yards with my handloads. Brian, care to share what all calibers you have?

 

[EchoM70]

Whoa, now that's a gun collection. Nice pronghorn too.


BrainOnSigs, What's the main difference between the Classic and Custom Classic. Just a higher grade of wood and price?... I can't decide between the two. After seeing that collection I'm thinking about getting a Custom Classic as an heirloom type rifle, that would essentially be a safe queen and getting an Excaliber Model for hunting.

... Now, just how am I going to get the wife to agree to that?

 

[Citadel99]

Great guns, beautiful guns, accurate guns. I recently purchased one in 300 Win Mag another single shot .223 followed soon thereafter. You won't regret.

Mark

 

[CountGlockulla]

Coopers make fantastic rifles.





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