Coopers

ColColt

New member
Anyone ever had a rifle built by Cooper Firearms? I'm looking at that prospect but was curious as to what folks thought about them. I was surprised to find they make their own actions and I assume since they're a custom outfit, make their own barrels as well.
 
I haven't shot any but I did get to handle one stocked in Bubinga that was awful purty. The guy bought it as a target gun; no idea on how it did.
 
I do not own one,but shoot with a few guys that have them. If you are looking for long range accuracy- You are heading the right direction for sure. Very very sweet rifles. Very solid built. Very spendy also, but you get what you pay for with a cooper
 
I figured they would just take your barrel/action and do the stock work for it. I wonder what sort of action they use(just thinking out loud) and what they base it on.
 
I own a Cooper MDL 22, VDM, 6.5x284. I always wanted a quality varmint type rifle, and this one is it.

Cooper Firearms are manufactured in Stevensville, MT. I don't know where to start.

This by far the highest quality rifle that I own, and that I have ever owned. I now own two Weatherby rifles, MKV, and Vanguard,and a Ruger MDL 77. I have owned many rifles in the past, MDl 700's, WIN 70's, Mausers, Marlins, and others.

Cooper rifles are not really custom rifles, but can be ordered through their custom shop. They are very highly regarded because of their accuracy, they offer several different mdls, in many more chamberings than I have ever seen offered before. All of their rifles, including the high powered hunting rifles, have 1/2 MOA accuracy guarantee. The rifle comes with laminated target, showing a three shot group, fired 48yds, the length of their basement firing range. Everyone that I have seen was one hole. The barrels are and always have been manufactured by Wilson barrels, which I beleive now owns Cooper . Wilson does not sell individual barrels, but supply manufacturers.

I had to assemble ammo from scratch and bought best materials, Lapua brass, ect. Four rounds to zero and my first group was about .3".

Check out their website.
t.
They obviously have my enthusiastic endorsement!
 

Attachments

  • DSCN0646 (640x480).jpg
    DSCN0646 (640x480).jpg
    146 KB · Views: 81
Last edited:
They're not ground up custom no, but no production rifle is. Are they more custom than Sako/Kimber? Yes I would say so. I've always wanted one but after i got my Sako i switched to more tactical style rifles for practical long range shooting. Would make a nice present for Dad some day though. Very nice rifles.
 
Kimber of Oregon build their own action model 84 from med to mag action,pistol etc. Kimber got into some money problems over new action rifle M89 BGR then company folded that's when Dan Cooper started Cooper firearms.

When Kimber first started each rifle came with test target and I think they used Kreigers barrel and that changes with their money problems. I know Kimber back then you could upgrade stocks etc so when Cooper Arms started they already had a source about same business plan as the old Kimber.
 
I think the Cooper rifles are fantastic deals for amazing accuracy. Some models are less than $2000 and like someone mentioned earlier almost every test target is one-hole. Taking a standard production rifle to those quality standards would take a lot of effort and money.
 
I have a Cooper single-shot bolt rifle - Model 22 - in .257 Roberts. I ordered the rifle without ever having seen one on the basis of its reputation. It was my first sporter rifle, and I can say that I was completely pleased with its performance and looks. I cannot find a flaw in the rifle and it has been a pleasure when hunting or at the range. It is one rifle that I never have a doubt about exactly where the bullet will strike.

You, and I, and anyone else could achieve all practical goals in the field with more basic factory rifles. I use some quality "standard" rifles for the times when I need something lighter or something that won't make me cry if it gets banged up. The Cooper is something special, though. It's not the sort of extravagance that a custom rifle can be. It is not only way cheaper than that, but I think you get every bit of your dollar in workmanship and accuracy.
 
I believe a person is partly paying for the name when they by a Cooper. $2,400 dollars for a 22 rimfire rifle? Stock sling mounts optional? I do love the Cooper rifle's...but I don't have enough money to buy one.
 
The Cooper rimfire, MDL 57, I believe, is a state of the art, world class rifle in it's target form. It is competitive with the Anshultz, and Walther and has won several matches against the best, also holds event group records.

You can get a Cooper rifle for $1500 or $15000. My wife paid $1800 for mine, MDL 22, VLM, 6.5x284, 26", 8 twist. It is stocked with their generic AA+ Claro, still quite nice.

Cooper rifles are not really custom made, but in a small factory, where every attention to detail is still possible. The ladies who do the wood carving and checkering are legends in the craft. Their rifles are not bedded, they are carved to the fine tolerance required for a perfectly tuned rifle to perform flawlessly.

The staff I talked with were the actual people who tested the rifle. They gave the load data for the factory target, and advice and tips for varmint rifle accuracy. We discussed Coal and bullet jump for this particular rifle, which they were able, to retrieve Several OAL suggestions.

May not be for everyone, I waited decades for one. At one time I would never have considered paying as much as we did. Now I believe it to not be over priced at all.
 
I have two. Model 56 in 300 Win Mag and Model 21 in 223. Amazing rifles. Highly accurate, great triggers, and weighted perfectly.

Definitely a high dollar rifle but, in my opinion, worth every penny.

Mark
 
The Cooper rimfire, MDL 57, I believe, is a state of the art, world class rifle in it's target form. It is competitive with the Anshultz, and Walther and has won several matches against the best, also holds event group records.

You can get a Cooper rifle for $1500 or $15000. My wife paid $1800 for mine, MDL 22, VLM, 6.5x284, 26", 8 twist. It is stocked with their generic AA+ Claro, still quite nice.

Cooper rifles are not really custom made, but in a small factory, where every attention to detail is still possible. The ladies who do the wood carving and checkering are legends in the craft. Their rifles are not bedded, they are carved to the fine tolerance required for a perfectly tuned rifle to perform flawlessly.

The staff I talked with were the actual people who tested the rifle. They gave the load data for the factory target, and advice and tips for varmint rifle accuracy. We discussed Coal and bullet jump for this particular rifle, which they were able, to retrieve Several OAL suggestions.

May not be for everyone, I waited decades for one. At one time I would never have considered paying as much as we did. Now I believe it to not be over priced at all.

That's what I'm talking about. $1800 for an American made, tack-driving beauty in fine Walnut is a great deal. Throw in the leg-work they do for you with load-development and that's a better deal than anything off the shelf.
 
I believe a person is partly paying for the name when they by a Cooper. $2,400 dollars for a 22 rimfire rifle?

If buying a rifle exhibiting fine workmanship, a beautiful finish and great accuracy means you are "partly paying for the name", then I would say it's money well-spent. And I've never understood why the same rifle chambered in a rimfire cartridge should cost any less than an equivalent centerfire caliber. Imo, when it comes to rifledom, there's nothing more desireable than a finely made .22 sporter. And they cost every bit as much to make as their centerfire counterpart.
 
From all I've read here and other places they seem to emulate to some extent the craftsmanship of Al Biesen and Alvin Linden of bygone days. Kudos to Cooper for their efforts in supplying a beautiful and accurate rifle.
 
Back
Top