im new to this site so please just point me in the right direction if this has been specifically discussed. Im going to add a third Cooper to my collection sometime between now and fall aimed for whitetails. Its going to be the Phoenix style rifle since i already have two MTV and love them but would like a synthetic stock. I need some opinions on which caliber though. ive been looking at a much as i can to pick and am leaning towards a 25-06, but ive never shot one. I want something that 1)has low recoil and 2)flat shooting but will effectivly kill a whitetail at out to 400yrds with a well placed vitals shot. I want it to be a sure thing even on those 250lb+ bruisers not just any 150lb doe. My three options are 243, 25-06 and 270, i would probly place 270WSM in place of the 270 but i dont think Cooper is available in that caliber so please dont comment on it unless you know otherwise. So i would like to hear as many opinions as possible and factory ammo combinations also if possible.Thanks
Help me pick my new Cooper for Whitetail
- Thread starter bowerj
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Polishrifleman
Member
All three calibers are great for what you are looking for and get overlooked often by all us size matters guys. What are your other calibers is going to be a question asked?
I proudly own and shoot all three, a vangaurd in 270, a Sendero SF in 25-06 and a 70 Featherweight in 243.
There is a definate difference in recoil from my 270 to the 25-06, I can't tell you that is an accurate general statement because my Sendero weighs a ton so hopefully someone else will chime in. The 243 is a pussycat, it's a rifle you can pass on to your kids as a first rifle and so on.
Get the 270 if you are looking at stepping up in game class, get the 25-06 if you just want one, get the 243 if you want the best White Tail caliber ever made.
If you are buying Coopers ammo cost probably isn't an issue.
A question I have for you is why synthetic? Cooper rifles are so purty.
I proudly own and shoot all three, a vangaurd in 270, a Sendero SF in 25-06 and a 70 Featherweight in 243.
There is a definate difference in recoil from my 270 to the 25-06, I can't tell you that is an accurate general statement because my Sendero weighs a ton so hopefully someone else will chime in. The 243 is a pussycat, it's a rifle you can pass on to your kids as a first rifle and so on.
Get the 270 if you are looking at stepping up in game class, get the 25-06 if you just want one, get the 243 if you want the best White Tail caliber ever made.
If you are buying Coopers ammo cost probably isn't an issue.
A question I have for you is why synthetic? Cooper rifles are so purty.
i have a 25-06...and a 243... oh, and a 270!
the 25-06 is just right for what you want, as is the 270. i'd pass over the 243 for your purposes.
if there is a more versatile cartridge than the 25-06, i don't know what it is... the 257 weatherby and 25-284 come close, but at more powder cap, they are more expensive, louder, and recoil harder. the 25 souper is another good one, but relatively hard to come by, and unless you handload, ammo is near non-existant.
the 25-06 will kill deer to as far as you want. i made a 425 yard shot on a decent mulie 4 years ago, and the 25-06 flattened him in one shot. deer field dressed at nearly 250 pounds (so live weight would easily be in excess of 300).
25-06 is also tame in the recoil department, shoots very flat, and makes a great dual-purpose rifle for things from prairie dogs on up. between the 3 you listed, the 25-06 is the hands-down winner.
the 25-06 is just right for what you want, as is the 270. i'd pass over the 243 for your purposes.
if there is a more versatile cartridge than the 25-06, i don't know what it is... the 257 weatherby and 25-284 come close, but at more powder cap, they are more expensive, louder, and recoil harder. the 25 souper is another good one, but relatively hard to come by, and unless you handload, ammo is near non-existant.
the 25-06 will kill deer to as far as you want. i made a 425 yard shot on a decent mulie 4 years ago, and the 25-06 flattened him in one shot. deer field dressed at nearly 250 pounds (so live weight would easily be in excess of 300).
25-06 is also tame in the recoil department, shoots very flat, and makes a great dual-purpose rifle for things from prairie dogs on up. between the 3 you listed, the 25-06 is the hands-down winner.
I forgot to add my centerfire calibers currently are .204 ruger and .300win mag, i am selling my 22-250, so the three calibers im interested in dont overlap in capabilty whatsoever. so does anyone have any input on a 400-500 shot on a whitetail with a 243? I think its probly quite low in the energy department for deer at that range. I like the ammo selection of it but want to make sure it is capable of an ETHICAL shot at that range. And what might the recoil or accuracy potential difference between the .243 and 25-06?
Polishrifleman- Check out the Cooper Phoenix i think its still a good looking rifle even with the synthetic on it, i would cry if i scratched the walnut on it.
Polishrifleman- Check out the Cooper Phoenix i think its still a good looking rifle even with the synthetic on it, i would cry if i scratched the walnut on it.
JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
Member
I'd have to agree that the .243 is a bit on the light side for the long shots on a quality buck. Although there's one in my safe for the boy, it's not my first go-to rifle. I like .30 cal and magnums for big Whitetail and Muley's, but the 25-06 has my attention. It to me is the perfect middle gun, that holds dual purpose for big deer at moderate to even longer distances, and can still be hand loaded for varmints at extreme ranges. The 25-06 will be my next purpose. Although I doubt it will be a Cooper. Ruger No.1 maybe?
And now that I've looked at what Cooper chamberings are... 25-06 Ackley Improved. Shoots factory ammo. But reloads get another good boost. That'd be a premium rifle there.
-Steve
And now that I've looked at what Cooper chamberings are... 25-06 Ackley Improved. Shoots factory ammo. But reloads get another good boost. That'd be a premium rifle there.
-Steve
I don't think you could go wrong with a 25/06. The Cooper wood is so beautiful, it's almost a shame that you want to get one with a synthetic, but I guess you want practical. I always love it when I see a Cooper. Is the one you're buying a single shot, or does it come with a magazine? I heard they were coming out with a repeater some time ago.
Kingcreek
Member
I'm a big fan of the .243 and have taken quite a bit of game with it, but I wouldn't choose it over a 25-06 in your line-up. especially at range you mention. I love the .243 but you have to know and work within its limitations. the .25 is a perfect midpoint between your varminty .204 and your elk class .300WM.
.270 is a great caliber also and would be my not-too-distant second choice.
.270 is a great caliber also and would be my not-too-distant second choice.
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