Cooper Model 21 Montana Varminter

[frakka]

I nearly have the whole story now so I’ll start at the beginning.

The rifle was ordered back in May’11, it was built and target shot on 27/12/11. Word filtered through it would arrive in June/July 2012, but it finally got to the east coast in October. In December I enquired as to it’s whereabouts and the astonished importer said Oz Post had delivered it in November. The lgs had no idea and hadn’t seen it and, long story, the importer and Oz Post finally located it and had a second and successful attempt at a delivery in late January 2013. The action specific Leupold bases that were ordered had turned into Talley bases, still waiting on the Leupold. I casually asked the lgs to check the twist, 1 in 14 they reported, the ordered rate was 1 in 9.

Battered and dispirited I put in the PTA, duly received it this week, picked the rifle up and will head home with it tonight. Having a closer and longer look and a leisurely fondle has restored my demeanour, the workmanship and timber is superb. I took a peek down the barrel and it sure looks faster than 1 in 14, just have to wait to re-check it.

I’ve got a temporary set of rings to rig up and start on some loads, I’ll get some pic’s up later to drool over

[MISSED]

Pics where are the pics

[stinkitup]

Pics where are the pics

Agreed!

[frakka]

Looks like I’m eating crow, the twist is 14 as the lgs said. Now that its been delivered with the wrong bases and twist what do I do ……. ask for a refund, jump up and down and tell the importer (or Cooper) how unhappy I am……..or give it a try with some lighter pills ?

I haven’t had it in bits yet, simply cleaned the barrel, aligned the rings, lapped them and bore sighted the scope. It’s looking like it shoots pretty good right off. The trigger needs to be a snickle lighter but it breaks like a glass rod. I think myself and the rifle are capable of better with a little trigger work and some load evolution.

The seating distance to the lands is pretty close to 0.55mm shorter than my CZ, a function of the twist to suit the use of lighter projectiles I guess. I seated the 50gr blitzking 5-10 thou off, perfect position in the case, exactly one calibre grip on the bullet and only the boattail protruding into the case.

The barrel is 610mm long, 20mm at the muzzle. Rings and bases are Millet and Talley to be replaced by Leupold (eventually). The scope is an 8.5–25x50 Leupold with the VH reticule. The engineering (drill & tap) alignment is pretty good, after lapping and sighting in the movement was only 6x6 moa horizontal and vertical from the central position. The Leupold set up lends itself better to frig around and set the horizontal alignment more in line.

I’ll get some pic’s of the internals, bedding etc later.

continued below:

[frakka]

continued from above:

bolt face.JPG

(15.64 KiB) Downloaded 331 times

muzzle.JPG

(9.47 KiB) Downloaded 331 times

The red dot is 24mm:

Those birds interrupting on the range are Carnaby’s cockatoos, worth $10k each if you pull a shot. At times we have had a million bucks worth sitting up there like Jacky.

[Glenn]

Looks and shoots good mate.

I really would like a Cooper but had heard the importer has no clue,nows I know it's true!

Glenn

[Ol 55]

Wow that's nice.
Atleast the bolt handle is on the right side on my Cooper.
Ol 55

[stinkitup]

Did I miss what cal?

Looks the goods nice stock.

[frakka]

Did I miss what cal?

You can't miss what's not there Ryan it's a 223 .........and starting to better the guarantee now :

smokin.jpg (22.73 KiB) Viewed 929 times

[stinkitup]

Nice group

Figured 222 or 223. 1:14 is okay I have a 1:16 that really limits things.

Was reading today about the 53 vmax being a very good proj and may just stabalise in a 1:14.

Ryan

[frakka]

The new mounts arrived about a week ago so I took the opportunity to inspect the outfit from the inside. I made some witness marks on the action bolts so as to replace them more or less to the same torque. The bedding is neat, the metal to wood fit extremely snug and the barrel channel providing a very straight and even gap. The barrel, action, trigger group and bolt are all engraved with the serial number (an obverse is imprinted in the bedding). The bases and rings lined up with no fuss and required no lapping, a ¼ turn on the weight and an 1/8th turn on the sear engagement lightened the trigger nicely (don’t ask about the “void if….” sticker). The safety required minor adjustment and there was no tendency to let go inadvertently. The finished product shoots the 50gr BK and 53gr MK like a dream with the trajectory only diverging markedly after 350m.

I’ll have to temper my enthusiasm when I write to the importer and maker telling them how disappointed I am and would they please send the correct barrel over as per the original order

[Brad Y]

Never been a fan of the coopers- I reckon over rated for the price. But now Ive seen one in lefty and 223 then thats just rather nice Im guessing around 26.2gr of BM2 with the sierra? Im running 50gr nosler BT's and 26.5BM2 in my 223 and its like a laser beam.

[chris.tyne]

Nice rifle,good group,looks good............................but I would have played up like a two bob watch if I didnt get what I ordered,you are a tempered and patient man

[Sig]

Are you up Coorow way Frakka?