Which cartridge for my Cooper?

For an east coast rifle I'd do the Fireball, for the west I'd choose the Swift or a 22/6mm.

I'm looking for an old Sako L461 action to put a Fireball together. I shot one that belongs to a friend and fell in love. The Fireball in a rifle is a blast.

Are all the Coopers a single-shot only affair?

Posts: 5052 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001

Ignored post by ForrestB posted

Moderator

posted

Yes, except for the rimfires.

George

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

Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001

Ignored post by GeorgeS posted

Bigdaddytacp

one of us

posted

quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
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

Make sure that you deal with a good Cooper dealer....My 2700$ br50 wouldn't extract cases of fired shells....my 223 varminter wouldn't feed factory shells past misfitted extractor into chamber and when it did the headspace was so bad it backed the primer 1/2 way out of the pocket....sent back to Cooper and they fixed headspace but the gun locked up on trying to feed new factory ammo again and local gunsmith said fitting of extractor was so bad he cut it nearly in two and still wouldn't snap over a standard rim...again contacted Cooper direct...they said "use military brass..it's cheaper anyway"!!!! my GREAT dealer refunded my money....NO MORE COOPERS...anyone can have a quality problem but the attitude was lousey ...buyer beware!

Posts: 687 | Location: Jackson/Tenn/Madison | Registered: 07 March 2001

Ignored post by Bigdaddytacp posted

Moderator

posted

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.

Bigdaddytacp,
I will probably order through the Outdoorsman in PA; I've been in their shop many times, and bought from them before.

George

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

Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001

Ignored post by GeorgeS posted

Moderator

posted

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!

Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001

Ignored post by GeorgeS posted

posted

Well George,
It looks like we are just going to have another loyal .221 Fireball shooter in our ranks.
No fireforming, no neck turning, no nothing. Just load em' up and have a ball. Perfect for the use you described and fits right in the nitch left between your other cartridges.
Welcome aboard!

<JoeM>

posted

GeorgeS.
Try this link for all things 17 cal.
www.coyotegods.com.
Click on Discussion Forums
Click on Tech Talk with S. Frame.

Assuming you have not been there yet.

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

Bigdaddytacp

one of us

posted

quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
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...Try a 6.5x20-40mm Leupold....they have performed well for me on several guns and with the smaller size of the Cooper the 40mm won't overpower the gun.....glad you got a good one ....they are pretty!!!!good luck and good shooting!!

Posts: 687 | Location: Jackson/Tenn/Madison | Registered: 07 March 2001

Ignored post by Bigdaddytacp posted

Moderator

posted

Thanks, Joe. I've visited the Coyote Gods before, and will do so again.

Bigdaddy,
That is EXACTLY the scope I mounted tonight. I had to wait for my Talley bases to arrive, but everything is set for tomorrow.

George

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

[This message has been edited by GeorgeS (edited 04-20-2002).]

Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001

Ignored post by GeorgeS posted