All right, it looks like I might order a Cooper lefthand rifle (more than likely the Varminter).
I already have rifles in .22LR, .22WMR, .17Rem., .223, .22-250, .243, .243AI, .25-06, and up.

I am looking for a new cartridge to work with (one I don't already have). I do not want a .12, .14, .19 or .20 caliber.

From .17 Ackley Hornet through .250 Savage; what are your suggestions? I am an experienced handloader familiar with loading, fireforming, and neck turning, but do not want to spend all my time forming cases.

Primary quarry will be woodchuck, crows, the occasional fox or coyote, and prairie dogs (when I can bring myself to trust it to the baggage handlers or FedEx/UPS).

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

how about a 250 Savage AI? 1/13 twist for the 87gr Berger Match & MEF bullets
Sweet!

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Death Before Dishonor

How about a .221 Fireball or .17 Mach IV? Nice small capacity cases with fairly low reports.

I wimped out and ordered my Cooper in .222 Remington (I've done enough case forming and am basically lazy), but both of the above were like sirens calling from the rocks.

I'm with JB on this. The Fireball is a good one! If the 22CCM had not died, that would have been my pick...

mike

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NRA Life Member

United States of America, Love it or LEAVE IT!

Having discovered that wind is my primary enemy I talked to the target shot that countenanced me against my 222.

A 28" 223 throated to suit the 70GR vld's can shoot them at 3150fps and cuts wind in half over a standard 22 centrefire. At a measly 220 yards that bullet is going faster than a stock 22-250. Food for thought?

And as for barrel life, his match rifle is on 7,000 rounds and still competitive - he uses moly.

Thanks for your suggestions, folks.

I've winnowed the list down somewhat to:

• .17 Ackley Hornet
• .17 Mach IV
• .221 Fireball
• .22BR
• .250 Savage
  

I want a mild cartridge so that the barrel throat will last a loooong time, and I think the above all qualify.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

Doesn't get much better than a 250-3000 for the stuff you mention... one of my favorite rounds.

BA

Be redundant and get another .223, a friend has one in the same rifle you're talking about and it's accurate as hell,not to mention the .223 is the best prairie dog round going.

Well folks, I picked up my Cooper today: Varminter chambered in .17 Mach IV!
It's got a nice piece of wood on it, a great trigger out of the box, and well-finished metal.

The dealer had some Cooper ammunition for it so I can shoot it some before my dies and brass get here.

Now to select a scope. Any suggestions?

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

That's the easy part George, a Leupold VX-II 6-18 with target turrets. At least that's what I was considering before I ordered the Classic rather than the Varminter. Looks good on the rifle also. Keep us informed on your progress. Stan Trzoniec had a great article on the .17 Mach IV (in a Cooper no less) in the Feb-Mar 2001 issue of "Handloader".

JB

My Cooper .17 Mach IV is due for delivery in a few weeks. Please post any info you figure out on loads.

Thanks in advance.

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