Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Cooper 54 7mm08 |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: July/19/2013 at 10:13 |
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.
|
|
ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Coopers are works of art
Heirlooms I have has Tiikas that would shoot one hole groups so you can't get more accurate than that. "Worth it" "Needed" Those are subjective terms.. |
|
www.TacticalGunReview.com
Pro Staff - Silencer Shop http://tacticalgunreview.com |
|
bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11196 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Comparing a semi-custom Cooper to a Tikka is like comparing a Counter Sniper to a Swaro Z6.
|
|
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
Anomymous |
|
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
It's purely a want item, admittedly. I'm wanting to find out everything I can about the Cooper from first hand experience around here, if possible.
|
|
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
So tell me about the Cooper 54 please. |
|
cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
As lovely and well crafted as a Cooper rifle is, I'd go straight to H..E..double hockey sticks if I marred it up in the briars where I go.
Edited by cheaptrick - July/19/2013 at 11:55 |
|
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
|
|
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I don't have a M54, but I own 2 M21's and have shot and handled quite a few Coopers of all models and configurations. PROS: - They're beautiful. Fit and finish, checkering, wood and metal finish, inletting precision, etc. is all very good to flawless. Wood is frequently (but not always) at least above average. You can specify some drop dead gorgeous wood, as they have it. You usually won't be disappointed by their "AAA" walnut. They generally use Claro for their walnut stocks. - They're accurate. Typically very accurate, though they do have a few leave the factory that aren't any more accurate than a typical factory rifle. With their reputation, you stand a better than average chance of getting one that shoots really well. Cooper uses Wilson air gauged barrels, and they are capable of putting out some very good barrels, especially compared to other factory or semi-custom rifles. They aren't quite up to benchrest quality standards (they'd cost a lot more if they were), but very good barrels nevertheless, by factory rifle standards. Cooper is now owned by Wilson Arms, in fact (not to be confused with Wilson Combat of custom 1911 and AR fame). - They're pretty well designed. I like their stock ergos and proportions. It balances well. The action is of their own design, and the bolt works smoothly. It has a pretty good trigger. If you're a fan of the "American classic" stock style as I am, their stock shapes are nice variations of the theme, with their own unique, tastefully done design elements thrown in. - Cooper offers many options so you can really customize your rifle the way you want. - Although expensive, they really are a good value for what you get compared to other semi-custom rifles. CONS: - The bolt stop is weak. It uses a small dowel pin on the back side of the release button to stop rearward bolt travel. I've seen several of those pins break if you have a habit of slamming the bolt open against the stop. The bolt stop projection should have been designed as an integral part of the button. - I don't care for the safety design. It basically copies the original 2- position Kimber of Oregon pivoting toggle linkage arrangement that blocks the trigger only. It just doesn't seem as positive or robust as other designs. In general, I prefer safeties that block the firing pin/ cocking piece, or those that block both the trigger and firing pin. However, I've not had one fail, and mechanical safeties are not a substitute for safe gun handling anyway. - It's not the kind of gun you'd want to use in inclement weather or rough conditions (or at least their wood stocked models). It's just too pretty. - It has a DBM. That may not be a negative to some, but I generally prefer hinged floorplates or blind magazine boxes to DBMs on a hunting rifle. - The magazine is a straight single stack, center feed design. It feeds smoothly and reliably, but the downside is it only has a mag capacity of 3 rounds in standard .473" head dia cased rounds. - You sometimes have to wait a long time to get one. Cooper's centerfire actions are based on a 3 locking lug design with 60-deg bolt lift much like the Sako 75/85. They also use a Sako-style extractor. They have round receivers, much like Rem 700. They do minimal glass bedding in the front receiver ring / recoil lug area. Usually the bedding is sufficient, but sometimes re-bedding is helpful. Barrels are free floated, with a very nice, extremely small gap between barrel and forend. They're nice rifles, but they aren't for everyone. I believe everyone needs at least one "pretty" rifle in their collection, but wood stocked Coopers wouldn't be my choice for a hardcore inclement weather, hard use hunting rifle. They are a good choice for someone who appreciates quality craftsmanship and nice wood, but isn't prepared to spend mega bucks on a full-blown custom rifle. I've been very happy with my Coopers and plan to buy another in the future. Hope this helps you with your decision. |
|
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
|
ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
A little eye candy to tempt you!
http://tacticalgunreview.com/blog/2012/08/staff-sneak-peak-cooper-firearms-custom-25-06/ |
|
www.TacticalGunReview.com
Pro Staff - Silencer Shop http://tacticalgunreview.com |
|
mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14560 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
No offense to anyone who has a Cooper. My cousin has the Jackson Hunter
(synthetic stock). It's real nice, not beautiful IMHO, definitely a tack
driver, but a little on the heavy side for my likings (I hunt out west). I'm betting their rifles with wood finish are esthetically much
nicer... but I'd be afraid to tear up the wood.
Charles, I think you had them do custom work to lighten yours up as well as other tweaks? My cousin's rifle, there wasn't much customization beyond what you normally get from Cooper. Edited by mike650 - July/19/2013 at 13:07 |
|
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
|
|
ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I just told Mike Hudgins what I wanted and he delivered!
Goal was basically: 6.5 to 6.75 lbs Pretty wood but not worth $ for ultra fancy to me Slight Monte Carlo cheek piece Told him I liked the feel of old Sakos It came in beautiful at 6.66 lbs He hollowed out the stock, lightened barrel, etc.. I left it to him on how to accomplish what I wanted. I got if last August when my dad was in the hospital Sure wish he would have for to see it, he would have approved. |
|
www.TacticalGunReview.com
Pro Staff - Silencer Shop http://tacticalgunreview.com |
|
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That's a great write up Rifle (was hoping you'd chime in), so thanks for the details. Thanks to everyone else too. I usually don't buy rifles for beauty's sake, so I'd probably go the Cooper 54 jackson route. I'm a Texas Tech ex, so that black and red synthetic looks sweet to my 52 yr old eyes! The main thing I'm looking for is top notch accuracy without top notch price tags that go along with it. There are a couple of dealers that have them in stock, so the wait is nil.
|
|
bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11196 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sounds like a Model 52 Jackson Hunter would be a nice choice. Mine was a .25-06. Real shooter. I (as Ted said earlier) didn't much care for the safety either. The DBM was absolutely fine and without issue. The initial bolt "lift" was heavy, but it got better. The long build times are a bit confounding. I thought is was a bit thick in the wrist and heavy for caliber. That in a .338-06 would be great. BUT, it was an all-weather deer killin' machine.
|
|
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
Anomymous |
|
ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I will say this:
If push came to shove I would take my Nosler TGR in 280AI over it. It is the rifle that sees the most use during deer season. Well, this season I will be hunting supresses most of the time. |
|
www.TacticalGunReview.com
Pro Staff - Silencer Shop http://tacticalgunreview.com |
|
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yeah, I was speaking of their wood stocked rifles when I was referring to their good looks. Not all their rifles are heavy. The Classic and Custom Classic version of the M54 is intended as a general purpose hunting rifle, so it has a sporter weight barrel and is pretty light -- in the neighborhood of 6.5 lbs. For the most part, Cooper specializes in medium to heavy barrel varmint rifles, so most of the centerfire Coopers you're likely to see will be variations of either a "walking varminter" or dedicated bench gun that has 1-2 lbs more weight. |
|
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
|
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
No problem JG. I'm an A&M alum, so I hope you won't hold that against me. All the Coopers I've shot have been the wood stocked models. I've only handled the synth stocked rifles at shows. If I was a betting man, I'd bet that the odds of you getting a shooter are very high with Coopers and that you'd be pleased. |
|
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
|
mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14560 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
My cousins Jackson Hunter m52 chambered in .280 must be close 8 pounds minus the ammo, sling, scope and mounts. It's the synthetic stock (black with copper spiderweb), my m700 laminate in 7mm at around 7.5 pounds (minus the the extras) is noticeably lighter.
I really like the Cooper Excalibur though, dig the camo stock. |
|
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
|
|
cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Maybe Doug can chime in too here. Man, those rifles are killer nice.
|
|
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
|
|
mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14560 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Please don't get me wrong as I'm not knocking them, I think they're killer nice too. Doug's is sweet!
|
|
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
|
|
cbm
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/11/2008 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 580 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have a Tikka T3 stainless with a BC medalist stock and a Cooper 52 Excalibur . I like the Tikka better for hunting, I like the Cooper better for showing off.
The Tikka ejects shells way better and the magazine functions way better. I have had two Tikka's and they are plenty accurate. I would not get another Cooper without having it Cerakoted, the factory matte finish is not very durable. Not trying to bash Cooper but my gun has been back 3 times, they have fixed the issues each time but I still am not all that happy with mine. It is a very accurate and very nice looking rifle. But meat at potatoe wise............I'd take my Tikka over it ! As a matter of fact, if it does not perform well this season. I will buy another T3 and put a stock on it , or possibly get a Kimber Montana.
Edited by cbm - July/20/2013 at 11:04 |
|
tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The 30.06 I picked up is sweet. The trigger is crisp and breaks cleanly with no take up. The bolt is as smooth as any I have ever cycled. I like it so much I am adding a .270....go figure.
My brother here at O.T., coyote95, just ordered one in 7mm08. I will give him a shout. By the way, I will use mine in any weather and conditions. Mine will get wet in the forests off of Lake Superior.
|
|
Doug
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |