6.5 x 47 L Cooper

[Johnnie D]

Greetings all,

New member here on the board and wanted to say "Hey" to all. I have been a lurker here for awhile, and have been reading all the posts that I can on on the 6.5x47L.

I'm looking for a bit of advice if you all would indulge me for a bit. I want to have a rig to shoot some "ground hog" shoots here in the east. These shoots consist of various targets (lets see, crows, whistle pigs, coyotes and one more), at ranges up to 1000yds. Targets are steel, and have to be knocked down to count for score. I believe that the aforementioned caliber will do all I want it to do. The question is this: Cooper Arms makes the Phoenix model rifle in 6.5x47 with a 26" barrel and a 1 in 9 twist. Everything I have seen here (pretty much) is a 1 in 8 twist barrel. Should I have them change the barrel to 1 in 8? MSRP on the rifle is 1775$ + 450 for a change in barrel (I think). Puts price up to close to 2200$ for the rifle.

Anyone out there have one of these? Would anyone put that kind of $$$ into getting one of these? Could I get a "custom" rifle built for a bit more $$$ and have a better rig? I have a Cooper in 204, GREAT shooter on the PD fields in MT. It will give me <.5 MOA groups all day at 100YDS-closer to .25.

Have been perusing a BAT action and a Kreiger barrel with a McMillan stock. Just need to find the smith to lay it all together and a cost. Living in northern Va.

All thoughts welcome and opinions greatly appreciated. No idea or thought to me is wrong, and I want to hear all your ideas.

Thanks in advance

JD

 

[GSSP]

JD,

As much as I love my Cooper 57m Custom Classic in 22 LR, I have a hard time paying the extra $450 just to get the twist "CORRECT". I think Cooper should have gotten it right the first time. 1:9 twist, give me a break!!!!

I'll give the exact cost of the components I used to build my recent Pierce 6.5x47.

Pierce SA, $835 (I'm an FFL so I get a $100 cost break)
Chamber and crown $300, Cerakote $200 ('smith bill came to $1010. Can't find the invoice)
PTG alum BDL BM, $64
PTG bolt knob $6
Broughton, #3, 26" SS, 1:8tw, $365
McMillian Rem Sporter Edge filled, $478
Rifle Basix, 2.5 lb, $90
Pierce Picatinny base, $125
Farrell, low 30mm alum rings, $128
Rem mag box, action screws, follower and spring (don't remember cost but pretty small compared to other stuff)

$3101 I can account for except the small Remington parts.

I put a NF 2.5-10 on it. About another $1100.

It's a shooter! Right around .3 to .5 MOA all the way out past 1000 with 140 Berger VLD's and Rel 17 running 2921 fps.

Alan

 

[Johnnie D]

Update:

I contacted Cooper Arms today and talked with a great dude there. He said they could change the twist of the barrel to 1:8 for $75. Good deal there I think! He also said that the Phoenix could be had in a single shot model instead of the repeater. The repeater has a detachable box mag. I think I would lean toward the single shot. Not sure yet if I will get the Cooper,or continue to look at custom options.

Thanks for the replies thus far.

JD

 

[mikecr]

It'll be hard to beat the cooper overall.
It takes the crapshoot right out of it.

 

[Oliveralan]

I would strongly recommend Jeff Walker of Walker Custom Rifles, based in Culpeper, VA. A good friend and i both had 6.5x47 lapua's built by him. Both are 1/3moa tactical style rigs, off rem m700 actions. Builds a top notch product, and clearly knows how to build a 6.5x47 lapua...
I would suggest a custom vs a factory rifle, even if it's a nice factory rig, every time.

 

[brianc74]

I have a Cooper 54 in 6.5x47 Lapua. The barrel is a 1-9 twist, 24 long. The rifle loves the 123-142 wt bullets. The 130 Berger hunting VLDs is what I am using at this time. The load is nonpreped brass, 41 grains of H4350, cci450 primers, and 130 Bergers 12 thou off the lands. The accuracy velocity is 2900 fps. I am getting 1/4 MOA. I have shot this combo out to 800 yards so far. I hope this helps a bit.

A shooting friend
Brian in Idaho

 

[lmorrison17]

Another option would be to look for a used true BR rig with suitable action and stock style for the type of shooting you intend to do and re-barrel . IMO you will be ahead with custom action and a BR stock with a flat fore end.
Larry

 

[AusFclass]

the 6.5x47 runs best with 123-130 gr bullets which will work fine out of a 1-9.

 

[bheadboy]

The coopers are purdy and shoot well, but for a working rig with less cost, consider this

I have had anumber of builds by R W Hart, Bobby, in Nescopeck, Pa, trued 700, hart bbl to your spec, built for under $2000 that shoot in the .200-.300 give them alook, web page and phone call

Bob

 

[Johnnie D]

I want to thank everyone for their input and responses, they have all been very helpful and insightful,and have helped me reach a decision.

I have looked at all the websites that have been offered here, and I must say that they are ALL impressive in their own rights. It makes one feel good to know that there is so much talent out there crafting fine shooting rifles. I think that were I to choose one of the custom makers, I could not go wrong with any that have been proffered here.

Alas it comes down to $$$ and use. I have been away from the "smokeless" scene for a bit and have been competing in the BPCR silohuette matches in PA. I am waiting on a BPCR rifle being made by a gunsmith out in Idaho. It is a remake of the Winchester High Wall, and carries a price tag of $$$$'S. So I have had to ask myself what I want to accomplish with this rifle and how often will I be shooting it. The purpose I am clear on....long range varmint silohuette, and some "groundhog" shoots. The amount of use is another story. Were I to invest several thousand into a custom rig, I would want to be sure I was going to shoot it and use it more than once or twice a month. While competing in the BPCR maatches, I'm not sure I would get that kind of use from my "smokeless" rig.

I'm going to go with the Cooper. They are fine shooters, and require less of an initial investment. They hold their value, and if I get bit once again by the smokeless bug, and decide to go "all in", I can resell the Cooper and have a custom rig made. I guess I will kind of test the waters so to speak before I go all the way.

Thanks all or the input and advice. This is a great source for the "new guys" to learn, and you all have passed on some sage advice.

Regards

JD

P.S. Waiting period is about 4 mos...pics and groups to follow

 

[fm1947]

coopers are nice but you can have built what you want for less with a blue printed action and krieger barrel and a MCmilllin stock, I just built a gun for $1400 , as I put down prices doesnt matter what caliber barrel price is the same, Barrel Krieger big one 1.250 tapers to 1.1 24 inch 30 cal, $319, Gun Smith to chamber barrel $250, Action Savage Target $500 Action Blueprinted $200, Stock I bought a benchrest stock for $200 I fitted it, I have a Mcmillin on order. Total with Mcmilin at $500+319+250+500+200=$1769

Here is the difference, a custom fitting will give you less then 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards Cooper says there guns will shoot 1/2 the gun I had built shoots .18 moa at 200 yards, key to saving money you order the stock for the action you choose Remington cheaper then savage target blue priting big factor you dont have to spend 1100 for a BAT, so all you need to do is look it over go to Bruno Shooter Supply choose a barrel twist and contour there all 30 inch or so he cuts them down in the price with chambering, choose action Savage has good trigger not sure about rem ask for Lester tell them you want him to build a barreled action for you, then call mcmillin pick a stock tell them what action and barrel size have them put pillars in it some come with pillars like the Edge that what i have coming pick a paint job and it will all be done in 3 to 4 months now you got a custom gun that really shoots, hope you reload that is a big plus.
Cooper add says 1/2 with a 3 shot group that means nothing if it were 5 shot that shows confidence in their gun if a gun is going to screw up it is the last two out of 5 so 3 normally work its 4 and 5 that show consistantcy.

Just something to think about, I do all my guns this way

 

[mikecr]

Or, he can dispense with all that garbage & BUY A COOPER.

 

[fm1947]

garbage? meaning what?

 

[mikecr]

There is more to a quality hunting gun than aftermarket abstracts screwed together, regardless of how they happened to shoot, or cost, -for you.

Personally, I would prefer a Cooper Mxx over your whatever, because I would know what I was getting and what it would actually be worth. If your whatever was for sale, I could only imagine it as garbage among a pile out there(true or not).

 

[fm1947]

well that is only because you are not very informed in the gun world and you are not knowledible in the best of best not a problem a person like yourself is better off with a common of the shelf gun, thats why there out there, funny because this forum is apart of 6mmBR whitch there are no common guns on there only custom with the names of all the world class shooters and gunsmith and who participate in this forum, but keep reading you will learn things you never new and I guess you have never been to 6mmbr go there, the information and knowledge in custom guns is fabulous. Good luck

 

[mikecr]

Breath man....Feel better?
There are a few carry/HUNTING guns in the 'gun of the week' collection.
Here's one: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek047.html

Notice what he had to do to get it to shoot.
He put a scope on it!

I also have a couple true customs at the moment , that cost way more than you've described so far.
IMO, there is nothing mystical about any of it.
And I don't deny the efforts, risks, or diminishing values of it.

 

[GSSP]

the 6.5x47 runs best with 123-130 gr bullets.

Really!? Please enlighten us.

Alan

 

[fm1947]

mikecr,

I feel great, how about you, I gave the man a alterrnative to a off the shelf gun, and for some reason you did'nt like it, do you think your opinion is better or has greater value and others, if so why! when in fact you say you have several custom guns that cost way more then what I described, if true I am happy for you, that tells me you know how superd they are, cooper is a woderfull gun no doubt, I have seen only one in competition, that man was going to shoot competition it is rare to see many factory guns in competition other then F Class.

So for a person to attack another for their opinion raises red flags for me , before retireing I worked in mental health I did allot of group therapy and usually when people try to place them selves above others they have self esteem issues, when I read in these forum I not only take in what a person is saying but I can read their personallity, (habit) you need to work on your ( I know more then you attitude) and your attitude that your opinion is the only one and respect others and their opinion regardless if you agree.

Unfortunately when I read someone like you and your post I have to diagnose the problem, in your case we are not on a one to one in person conversation so I have to try to understand why a person replies in this manner, I have noticed you have been in this forum along time with many post, I have seen in many forums those who have many more then others have two different types of personallities first the very helpful person then the one I described as you, this is a form of bullying so either you were a bully in school or you were bullied and the internet is a way to get back since it is not in person, this form of bullying is all over the internet today and in schools across the country and is a real problem, the company I worked for had many programs in local schools to address this issue, I could go on forever about mental health issues.

Do not takes this the wrong way, this is merely constructive critisism ansd I am sure your a good guy, we all have issues no one is perfect but some issues stand out more then others in a crowd, think abit and ask yourself do I do this in person with family and friends.

Best Regards
Frank

 

[mikecr]

It isn't and never should be personal on forums.
It's just an open discussion with open debate, and I've enjoyed it.

 

[fm1947]

That is correct and we need to keep it that way. Thank You

Frank