Cooper rifles ? Are they worth the extra $$

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Been trying to get some ideas on a premium wood rifle for big game hunting, chambered in either .308 or 30/06. I am leaning towards buying a CZ550, but i also am giving a T/C icon ultra wood, and Kimber 84M a closer look as well.

During my research, i have found quite a few positive comments about a Cooper 52. The Cooper is in the $2000 price range, and was wondering if its worth the extra $600-$1000 more money, than the other rifles i have been looking at. They advertise sub MOA accuracy, and there wood stocks look beautiful. The CZ, Kimber, and T/C have nice wood, and a good repuation for accuracy also, so i have been wondering if the Cooper rifles are really worth the extra money ?
 
A good question would be have you ever handled and shot one. I have one and really like it and would buy more of them funds permitting. They do what they do extremely well.
 
No i have'nt ever handled one. Every gun shop i have ever been to always has the same old story....We can order it if you give a deposit. I don't even know of a gunshop in ontario that carries them. I have been looking at prophet river website at the model 52 listed for $1999. I don't like the idea of dropping 2 G's on a rifle i have never handled.

If anyone knows of a place in ontario that actually has a cooper rifle in stock, please let me know. I'm eager to shoulder one, and give it a inspection. They must be quite rare, and not often traded in, because i rarely see them on EE.
 
I've never heard of a Cooper that had less than exceptional accuracy. Fit and finish is great, the only downside is that they're relatively heavy.
Kimbers seem to be hit and miss for accuracy. TC Icon hasn't really been around long enough yet to establish any kind of reliability,etc.
The Cooper also has the nicest wood. My advice, get the Cooper. If you don't, you'll just end up wishing you did anyhow! :D
 
I currently own two Cooper rimfires, and two centerfires, with a third on order. I prefer them to my Sakos, and much more than the Weatherby Mark Vs that I owned.
 
I have a few Coopers and pleased with all of them.
If your looking for just a hunting rifle there are all sorts of them out there that will work as well as the Cooper function wise. If your wanting something with class and beauty that shoots better than most buy the "Cooper".

RC
 
The Cooper is a piece of art and extra accurate, if your budget permit... go for it, once it is paid for you will love it for ever... JP.
 
I have a 52 in .270 that shoots amazing and based on that, my dad bought a 54 in .243 which also shoots incredibly, both will do .5 moa at 100 or slightly larger, better than i can shoot. They look better than they shoot.

Here's the downside, the finish on the stock makes them a fair weather hunter only. My dad took his out in the rain and the grain on the wood has come up in several places. It was treated with wax several times before hitting the woods. As well, the bolt lift on both guns is quite heavy (that's a real nit pick). Then there is the cost..... All said if you are looking for a pretty rifle that shoots in good weather there is no better. Bought both mine and my dad's from clay at prophet river and he is certainly a top notch guy to deal with for out of province Internet buying.
 
i think coopers are worth the $. i have a excalibre in 280. the fit and finish of the metal is excelent. the bolt glides with no loosenes. acuracy is very good. in load test the worst load was about 1 1/4. 1/2 to 3/4 with loads it likes. i'm sure a better shooter could get it down to the 1/4 mark. i will be buying another in the near future.
 
Contemplated a Cooper when I bought the Sako, however like you I never hefted one so went with the latter. I'm very happy with it and it's in the oiled wood & blued by the way. Oiled stocks are easy to keep up, and I use mine in all conditions - that's why I bought it!
I do have a TC Icon in ultra-wood which I adore as well, it's the most accurate smoke pole in the gun case and they'll come highly recommended by me.

I think you have to ask yourself how much your budget is and go from there. My favorite rifle makers are Cooper, Weatherby, Sako and TC. I like guaranteed accuracy and in this day and age with quality machining, products and know-how, all rifles should come with an accuracy guarantee in my opinion.
 
If you are concerened with the $2000 price tag on a Cooper I suggest you don't buy one. Once you have your first you will be buying another!!
 
I'm not concerned about the $2000 price tag. Heck, you cant really get a nice O/U shotgun for anything under that, with nice wood anyways. My original question is...... Is it worth 50-100% more than a CZ, Kimber, or T/C icon ultra wood ? Heck, if it cost $3000 then i would be okay with the price, if it was worth the extra. The reason why i ask, is i havent scene one in person, but the pics ive scene seem to make the gun resemble a piece of art.... And if they are that nice, then they are worth the extra $$.

Ive handled CZ, and Kimber rifles, and some of them are very nice as well. I'm just trying to compare a Copper rifle to one of those, because I'm familiar with them.

To make a long story short.... I want a nice rifle, that i can be proud of. I am willing to pay top dollar for a premium rifle, if its worth it. It sounds like a cooper rifle is worth the extra money, because your getting a piece of art. However, if its only a fair weather rifle, then its not what I'm looking for. I want to be able to hunt with my new rifle even if it gets cloudy....lol. I do hunt with a ATV though, so if the weather is bad, then i can hide it in a gun boot. I think i need to actually find one myself so i can see one in person for myself. I know of a place in the usa that stocks them, and its only a 2 hour drive for me...... Sounds like its time to plan a road trip.
 
maybe we got a bad stock on the .243 that made the grain rise, don't know. I have serveral other walnut stocks that have not given an issue.

I'll still buy another cooper.
 
Several years back (3) when I orderd my Kimber Classic Select, by the time I waited 6 months to get it and got it to my door it cost me just over 2K.
Of course during the next year they started appearing in the Access to Firearms for much less. But I have no regrets it is a fine gun, shoots 1'' groups at 100yds. Is light to carry and the the French walnut looks very nice.

I have only seen one Cooper at the range in an off varmit calibre. It was every bit a nice in the fit band finish department as my Kimber and shot one hole groups consistantly.

I hunt with my wood stocked Kimber in fowl weather and had no swelling stock issues. I realize synthetic stocks are the way to go as they are impervious to almost anything, but I just can't bring myself to own one. They don't have the look and feel of a good piece wood. As the old saying goes "lifes to short to hunt with an ugly gun".

I would definitely take a hard look at buying a Cooper the next time around.

If you don't want to spend the dollars, but want a handsome well made hard working gun. Do take a close look at the new model 70's. I have one of those as well. Shoots as well as the Kimber but the fit and finish is not as precise.
 
"Life's to short to hunt with an ugly gun"

X2... Spoil yourself and buy a gun you'll be pleased with, then take it out hunting! What's the point of having a pretty gun and not using it? Might as well buy a glass vase or something and put it on the mantle.
 
I have a cooper 21 in 6x47-222Rem Mag. overall 8.8 out of 10 they are a production gun like the rest but cooper does watch the quality control . The stock finishes would be the weak part of the rifle . The T C Icon superb overall a little on the heavy side but I don't mind that . Kimber select grade very nice overall not a large choice of calibers . The CZ may be a good rifle but does not appeal to me in the least.
 
For something that was designed from the ground up Cooper crapped the bed on a bunch of things. But that is just my opinion.
 
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I can only echo what the majority has said. I have 2 coopers, 1 in 6.5x284 and 1 in 25-06. Both will shoot ragged holes at 100 yrds with a decent load. Nothing over an inch so far. Great fit and finish, smoothest bolt I have ever cycled and they fit me exceptionally well.
 
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