New Cooper All Stainless
- Thread starter danc55
- Start date
I get the point about dinging up a nice stock. My post was just stating that a even a blank as nice as the one on a Custom Classic would cost much more than a B&C stock. Then you have all of the work required to turn it into the piece of art you see in the final product. Heck, the checkering alone would probably cost more than the B&C!
Then again, I am a sucker for nice stocks!
Damn it, Im gonna have to change my order. I was waiting for a 6.5-06 in Jackson Hunter but now nothing less than a full stainless will do. Those look great! I have to have one. As far as how do they shoot? If they shoot half as good as the other 2 I own it might make 2 holes on the target!!
bearkilr
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Except then it would look just like an Abolt White Gold Medallion.
But I agree, for a $2800 rifle with synthetic stock, they should go to a McMillan, or at the very least HS Precision.
Except then it would look just like an Abolt White Gold Medallion.
But I agree, for a $2800 rifle with synthetic stock, they should go to a McMillan, or at the very least HS Precision.
Thanks *sarcasm*, I had forgotten about those.
I had one of the first model 56 Excaliburs in my hands in Prophet River. The stock was slightly different than the 280AI Excalibur that I had the use of for a while. I was told previously that the model 56 synthetic stocks would possibly be supplied by H-S Precision, and the difference between those two Excalibur stocks makes me suspect that may be the case..
No kidding. Even a $1000 Remington comes with an HS Precision stock. I've owned a number of B&C and they actually hold up quite well considering the price. McMillan on on all stainless Cooper would be really sweet.
Cheers!!
I bought a new Sako Finnfiber quite a few years ago. Those came from the factory with a McMillan and iirc I paid $1000. Sure inflation has crept in, but you look at a new Sako synthetic stock on their rifles and you wonder why it costs 70% more. It seems to be the trend these days.
On the other hand, that is why I think those new Forbes 24B rifles are a great deal. It has a fantastic stock, decent barrel and a slick action, all for about $1500.
Can someone please explain the problem with the B&C stocks? Coopers main objective, like any other company, is to make money. If not they will, like other companies, no longer exist.
To me the purpose of the stock is to:
1. Be comfortable.
2. Be reasonably durable.
3. Be stable so the rifle holds point of aim.
4. Allow the rifle to shoot little tiny groups.
5. Look good.
To me the B&C stock does all of these thing reasonably well. Although McMillan has a very good name, does it do these things that much better.
Both McMillan and HS Precision builds highly accurate rifles that would compete directly with Cooper for a share of the higher end market place. I'm not sure Dodge would want to sell a truck with a Ford motor in it but may choose a Cummings instead.
Yes, like most others, I would sooner have a McMillan stock. However, I can certainly understand Coopers decision for going with B&C....$$$. I am a little confused with their decision to use H&S on some of their other rifles but I would guess like most things in life it all biols down to $$$.
Just my opinion.
bearkilr
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McMillan rifles certainly doesn't compete with Cooper, and HS prices are generally higher as well. Both HS Precision and McMillan build most everything in house. Cooper uses Wilson barrels with B&C stocks. I do believe McMillan has someone else make their barrels as well, but they're from the high end makers like Lilja,Hart,etc. Also, Cooper is now basically a full blown production rifle, whereas HS and especially McMillan are not nearly putting out the same numbers.
B&C stocks are fine, but they're a bit clunky by most peoples standards, especially the thickness in the wrist area. I believe Cooper has mainly targeted the blued/fancy wood market up until now. Perhaps the other makers wouldn't allow Cooper the use of their stocks, that's a possibility. McMillan certainly seems to be fussy who they'll allow the use of their stocks. There's also no need for a lightweight synthetic on a Cooper as they haven't tried to compete in the ultralight market. I suspect it's because their accuracy would suffer.
My thoughts are, when you're paying $2800 for a production stainless/synthetic, it shouldn't boil down to a couple hundred $$. I would guess the difference between their cost vs. selling price is relatively substantial, more than most anyhow. Look at the stock Kimber has on their Montana. It's an excellent one, manufactured in house. Cooper copuld do the same. Maybe now that they've kind of entered into the "rough use" rifle market of stainless/synthetic, things will change.
I certainly agree with you here.
Kimber should seriously think about out sourcing their barrels as I've heard a lot of folks questioning the accuracy of their rifles. My cousin had a .223 Kimber and it wouldn't shoot worth a hill of beans.
By that logic Tikka T3's should sell for $2000.
B&C stocks are ok - they are on Remington Mountain SS and Wincher 70 Extreme. Both of which sell for around $1000. I obviously wouldn't expect a higher quality stock on a $1000 rifle.
bearkilr
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I would question if Cooper made a comparable rifle that they could maintain their current degree of accuracy. I've had a couple of Sako Finnlights, an RMR,a NULA, and five Kimbers, all were very similar accuracy wise. I have heard of some Kimbers with issues, like you say, but regardless, for the same price, there's no comparable truly lightweight hunting rifle out there.
