I have read some of the discussion on Cooper Rifles on this forum. Can any of you guy's give me any feed back on 243 or 257 Roberts in the Cooper Varmint rifle? I am considering one. Thanks in advance.

[ 10-28-2003, 05:47: Message edited by: rooksd1 ]

The Coopers are first class. I don't own one but would buy one in a heart beat. I recommend the .257 Roberts over the .243Win. it's just a better cartridge. I've shot the .243 Win for over 40yrs. and the .257 for about 18yrs. so I have a little experiance with both. You will be able to do more with the .257 and in the current production rifles there is no reason you can't load it to the same pressures as the .243, that will boost velocity for the .257.

I love both cartridges, but I truly think the Roberts is the better choice.

Just the way I see it,,,,,,,,,,

I just was wondering what type of varminting ? I would use either for coyotes but to sit & shoot chucks or pds , I think something like a 223 would be more comfortable . Good luck with your new gun whatever it may be .

.257 Roberts.A Cooper in .257 Roberts, what a nice package that would be. You have to handload to bring either of the cartridges you mentioned up to speed.
Stepchild

Thanks for the responces. I have a couple 223's and a couple 22-250's. I am am wanting to get something a little more range and more knock down for coyotes and posibily for deer. I have been wanting a Cooper for a while. The dealer has a 243 a 257 roberts and a 25-06. I think I'm leaning toward the 257. Thanks

FWIW, the .257 Plain with a 26" tube will throw 75-85 gr poly tipped bullets in the range of 3400-3500 fps without breaking a sweat. I've clocked the Hornady 75 VMAX above 3600 fps but retreated a bit for a working load. The BC on the Nosler 85 BT(loves RX15! 3450+ 22 shots in .77") rains on the hot rock .22's a bit at long range. For a good time try the .257 AI and get a longish barrel since you're varmint hunting. Also, talk twist if you have it built custom. I don't know for certain but suspect that Cooper would use a 1:10 or 1:12 for Bob.

I'm pretty crazy about my Cooper M21. I have a buddy that has a M22 in .257 AI, his has a 1 in 10" twist. The thing is scary accurate. Makes me want a 6mm Remington in a M22 in a bad way.

You won't be sorry buying one, thee are 9 now in my safe, all great shooters. Cooper lives up to there reputation, if your rifle has problems they fix it, no questions asked. Barrels are lifetime too, shoot it out, they replace it. My only complaint is, the larger action like there model 22, comes with Tally bases installed meaning you must by Tally rings. The smaller action 38's and 21's can be had with Leupolds.

Good shooting - RIC

Thanks for the information I think I'm going to get my Cooper next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

as long as you are going with a 25 cal might as well go 4 the 25-06 it will do every thing the 257 will plus more!

I ended up with the Model 22 Varmint in 243. I have shot it with new Winchesters 80 gr. soft points 1/2 - 3/4 groups during break in a couple of fliers (pilot error). I have shot a couple reloads, 70gr. Nos. BT. RL 15 40 gr. 3/8 in. group. H380 42.5 gr. 70 Sierra blitzking 3/8 in. group. My son shot one group 4 shots 1/4 with 380 and blitzkings. I am still in the load developement stage but so far it seems to be very accurate with anything I have tried. Any good loads for 243 you guy's could share I would appreciate. I think I will stay with 70 - 80 gr. bullets for now. This is a very nice rifle I
am very impressed. Thanks David

[ 11-14-2003, 06:20: Message edited by: rooksd1 ]

I wouldnt worry about 243 its a nice cartridge really wont let you down in the face small game IMHO varmints at 400+ yards and yotes at 200 deer at 100.

-Mash

Rooksd1--you made a excellent choice (couldn't go wrong with the Bob or the 243-2 peas in a pod IMO)

It will work quite well for yotes/deer/chucks and rodents-as far as you are able to hit them it will work just fine.

I shoot quite a few yotes every year,mainly with my 6/06-if I preferred to use a factory round then the 243 would be my number one yote rifle. It just has a lot more stop to it than a big 22 at long range.

Have fun with it-tis a great rifle.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

Mark, I built a 240 wby mag last winter that I love. Now that deer season is over it's time to focus on the varmints, and reloading....

Aggie--I absolutely love the big 6's!!!! What twist did you put in yours?

The new Barnes TS in a 95 is shooting quite well in mine. They are gonna make a 85--that will be a rocket and should be fairly kind on the pelts.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

I don't have any Coopers.

I do have a 257RAI and a 243 on Mauser actions I built.

They are both too loud.

Niether kick at all.

Both are very accurate.

The 257 is more powerful.

The 243 has more bullets to choose from.

You will like either.

I like the 257.