Cooper Arms 1989-2009

[ben lurkin]

How did the recipes for your test loads come to be? Were the various loads developed through trial and error? Curious as to the development process you used to arrive at the test ammo.

Somewhere in my files I’ve some load data supposedly used by Cooper for rifle testing. Is that something you still have and could share?

 

[Tommie]

How did the recipes for your test loads come to be? Were the various loads developed through trial and error? Curious as to the development process you used to arrive at the test ammo.

Somewhere in my files I’ve some load data supposedly used by Cooper for rifle testing. Is that something you still have and could share?

Already been answered. Scroll up.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Already been answered. Scroll up.

I cant seem to find that info, only proof load development

 

[Tommie]

I cant seem to find that info, only proof load development

Nevermind.

 

[jwv2001]

Before this thread heads into history, I'd like to make a point that was made on my first the trip to Stevensville in 2004 for my 1st One Shot. What I was most amazed by was the outstanding group of folks that were working there. These were some of the most delightfully happy, and extremely friendly people I have every met.
Rob Behr, Dan Pickett, Randy Kraft, and Leroy Barry are the most personable guys I have ever met. When I met these guys I knew that Dan Cooper had struck gold with his crew. These guys stick out in my memory but every one that worked there were the same. I always applauded Dan for putting together such a great group. The rifles had to be great with the people working there.

Sincerely, John Vukson

 

[argrendel]

Dan,

I would like to share a bittersweet story with you. Several years ago a local was downsizing his firearm collection preparing for retirement. He had many very nice rifles.
one was a Cooper varminter (22?) in 6.5-284. I was seriously considering buying it, but my buddy’s son looked like he fallen in love.
After mounting the scope and sightin it in, he went for group. At shot two, he said, ”oh my”! We asked what? He ignored us. Shot three, “oh my”. Again, what? Silence. Shot four, “oh my”. I believe my comment was what the hell is going on?!? “Either I’m missing the target, or they are going through the same hole”!
After the fifth shot we walked up to the target. It was hard to tell more than one bullet traveled through the original hole. The fifth shot had 1/4” of paper between it and the group!
This was with either a Sierra or Lapua bullet I had with Varget powder and a charge we decided on.
Needless to say we all said “oh my”!
This rifle didn’t live in the safe, it had a special place in his bedroom. Maybe under his pillow...
The sad part of the story is during a wind storm, they had an electrical fire. 1/2 hour from smoke to the house is gone. They lost everything. This was several years ago.
They are pretty much back to normal minus a very accurate Cooper rifle. I’m keeping a close watch on this forum waiting for the perfect rifle to pop up. This time, maybe a repeater, definitely a 6.5 cal. I’m pretty sure when he sees the right one, it will be his.

Thanks for making a great rifle!

Merry Christmas to all!

Terry

 

[saunaking]

It was fun reading all eight pages! I have had several Coopers in 21, 38 and 52 models. Everything shot better than I could. I visited the factory in 2005 when working in Missoula and having a day to kill. The factory tour was memorable (can't recall who showed me around), but I was amazed at the craftmanship and the people that who were working. I stopped and talked to the guy test firing in the "tunnel". He was loading ammo as he shot it. The gals in the small room that were engraving and putting inlays were incredible to watch!
Thanks for putting out an outstanding product for all of us that appreciate accuracy and beauty in the finished product. Cheers

 

[Tommie]

This is awesome.

Dan-
Did you receive requests for RBLP guns and were any built?

 

[JSH]

A very interesting, informative and historical thread. Thanks to all involved I myself enjoy reading such as this.

 

[k80skeet]

Dan, I just have a couple of Questions.
(1) Early Cooper rifles had Jewell triggers. What ever happened between Jewell trigger's and Cooper Rifles? Cooper stopped using Jewell triggers and you can't buy a Jewell trigger for a Cooper Rifle today. You must be proud of Gary Hamilton a many time winner of the Cooper One Shot Shoot. And New World Record Holder with the First ever 2500 with 25X in the 7.5 lb Sporter Class Rifle (and Cooper Dealer)

 

[sw282]

l have a couple Coopers. Both 21s in 222 & 223Rem. Bought the 222 in 02 or 03 NEW. Twas the base varmunt model, no portholes. My first outing was on Prongers in Tx panhandle with my buds from Wills Point TX. My 222 had a VX3 4.5-14x40, fine crosshairs. l could keep up out to about 300yds. Most had 22-250s with 6-24 Swarovskis. IMOP. Wilson makes some of the finest barrels around. My 2 Coopers both have Wilsons. l almost bought a Mod 38 in 22CCM awhile back, but passed due to ammo/brass. l missed a good one

 

[458win]

Well I’ll tell you that the post 2009 coopers never were up to the quality of the earlier ones. You sure built some nice rifles Dan and I do own 15-20 of your rifles. After one I ordered though it was the last Cooper I ever bought. A custom classic m52 in 2014 in 9.3x62 Mauser. After taking over a year to get it (not a problem mind you) I was horrified at the stock work. The barrel was free floated alright by a 1/16-1/8th gap also really enjoyed the round barrel channel with an octagon barrel. The kicker was where the end mill hit the side of the stock by the front receiver ring and a half ass repair job where the glass didn’t even fill it up was attempted. Also there was still metal shavings in the action from machining. Nothing was polished. For 4500$ I called Cooper and sent it back. They did put a new stock on it finally and did half hearted attempt at making the forend tip octagon to match the barrel. Although it took 16-18 months for the turnaround.
Any Ruger on the shelf was better inletted but at least they tried to correct the earlier mistakes. I was just appalled that they let that go through the door.
Anyhow that’s the last Cooper I bought, the earlier ones were supreme.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Dan, I just have a couple of Questions.
(1) Early Cooper rifles had Jewell triggers. What ever happened between Jewell trigger's and Cooper Rifles? Cooper stopped using Jewell triggers and you can't buy a Jewell trigger for a Cooper Rifle today. You must be proud of Gary Hamilton a many time winner of the Cooper One Shot Shoot. And New World Record Holder with the First ever 2500 with 25X in the 7.5 lb Sporter Class Rifle (and Cooper Dealer)

Not that it makes any difference, but I always wondered if the test targets were shot with a good light trigger and then the consumer safe trigger was installed before shipping.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Welcome Dan, I am fortunate to own a number of Cooper's rifles. Among them is a single digit serial number Cooper Peregrine falling block action in 218 Bee. How many of the Peregrines did Cooper produce? Thank you.

John I need to check to make sure. From memory...I know we intended to make 50 units to begin with but we had issues with parts and I think we only made 25. I do know that the Peregrines are regarded as one of the most valuable of Cooper collectables.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Welcome Dan, I am fortunate to own a number of Cooper's rifles. Among them is a single digit serial number Cooper Peregrine falling block action in 218 Bee. How many of the Peregrines did Cooper produce? Thank you.

I don't a 223 would fit in a M38 but thanks for the response. Where there any failures with the M38 due to the small lugs?

Welcome Dan... I have one of the model 21's in .19-223 and is an absolute tack driver! Beautiful firearms, very proud to own one....

thank you sir

 

[Bamaslammer]

Dan, Thanks for the info on the Peregrines. Would like to test your memory/records again. I also own a Model 38 P.O. Ackley Commemorative in 17AH. How many of that special run were produced? Thanks!

Hey John in case you did not see the post, there were 17 made

 

[JohnHenry]

Hey John in case you did not see the post, there were 17 made

Thanks Dan.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Really enjoying this thread
Thank you so much for giving us your time. I have a model 21 that was purchased from Todd Kindler bye the fella I purchased it from. He said that he thought it has a Schillen barrel it’s chambered in 17 Mach IV the serial # is G81. Is there any way for me to check that? Again can’t thank you enough for your time and history lesson. I absolutely love my rifle.

Unfortunately I have to go from memory on the barrel issue. Shilen was used almost exclusively for 22 cal barrels. The rifle G81 was shipped to The Outdoorsman on 10/05/1995 and built as a 17MachIV Varmint Extreme...top of the line in the Varmint series. As this was built after the conversion to Wilson barrels it likely has a Wilson, possibly a Wiseman, but not a Shilen.
Hope this helps
Dan

 

[Bamaslammer]

How did the recipes for your test loads come to be? Were the various loads developed through trial and error? Curious as to the development process you used to arrive at the test ammo.

Somewhere in my files I’ve some load data supposedly used by Cooper for rifle testing. Is that something you still have and could share?

In the beginning it was mainly trial and error, not unlike any hand loader. When we found a powder and bullet that worked best for the chambering we would use that load. I do not have those records, sorry.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Before this thread heads into history, I'd like to make a point that was made on my first the trip to Stevensville in 2004 for my 1st One Shot. What I was most amazed by was the outstanding group of folks that were working there. These were some of the most delightfully happy, and extremely friendly people I have every met.
Rob Behr, Dan Pickett, Randy Kraft, and Leroy Barry are the most personable guys I have ever met. When I met these guys I knew that Dan Cooper had struck gold with his crew. These guys stick out in my memory but every one that worked there were the same. I always applauded Dan for putting together such a great group. The rifles had to be great with the people working there.

Sincerely, John Vukson

So good hear and thank you for your kind remarks. My people were (are) the best in my life.