Cooper in 204 Ruger

[Phasor]

Hi all,

Been browsing for a couple of weeks gleaning some good info from the forums. I am considering ordering a Cooper model 21 Phoenix in 204 Ruger. I would like to hear from someone who actually owns one and their impressions about this rifle. I currently use a 17 Remington for my prairie dog rifle, but want something with more range and low recoil. But, my main priority is accuracy. I was considering the Tac 20, but the availability of factory ammo with the 204 Ruger is appealing also. However, I will be doing mostly hand loads so that would not be the deciding factor.

Hope to hear some opinions,

Phasor

 

[ALO]

Phasor, I own a Cooper in a 204 Ruger and I'm here to tell you that the accuracy is superb. Its well worth themoney spent. At first I had a tough time getting 204 brass, but I found some on E-bay, bought it and bought about 10 boxes of loaded ammon from HOrnady. I reloaded the brass with 40 grain Bergers and usedthe 32 grain factory loads. This past June I had this little shooter outside of Miles City in Montana shooting prairie dogs and it performed like a champ. ANything 250 yard or under were mine. Out past that things started toget a little interesting. The temperature was over 100 degrees in the prairie and the wind was blowing pretty good along the Yellowstone River. Once you got the hold over and started to play the play the wind, my shots were more consistent. It was scoped with a Leupold 8.5 x 25 X 50. The Berger bullets just vaporized those little critters. It was rifle of choice. I also brought along Remington 22-250. I really enjoyed shooting the Cooper. If you can digest the initial cost of the rifle, I know you will be happy with it. The reason I picked a COoper was that I actually had a tour through the plant, when I was antelope hunting several years ago. Iwas quite impressed with the overall quality and the time devoted to create these unbelievable shooters. The accuracy target they provide with your rifle is shot at 40 yards,,this is what was told to me), but it is still quite impressive. I asked what type of barrels they used, and they were reluctant to tell me, but I believe they are Kriegers. Make that sacrifice, shoo those mothes out of your wallet, and buy one. You wont be dissapointed.

AL O

 

[Forum Boss]

Phasor,

In case you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to read Ken Lunde's story on his Cooper m21 MT Varminter in .204 Ruger.

Link: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek047.html

He's getting quarter-MOA with his handloads and he is very happy with the ballistic performance of the 204 compared to a .223 Rem.

 

[kory]

Cooper uses Wilson barrels. I highly recommend Cooper rifles. A great rifle from a great bunch of folks. I own two and hope to buy many more as finances allow.

Kory

 

[Phasor]

Thanks for all the great info....I will go to my Cooper dealer tomorrow and order the Cooper. I did have a chance to handle one in 220 Swift in the shop and saw the factory target that came with it...one hole..not one ragged hole, but one hole. I don't think that you could measure any difference. That was very impressive. The biggest problem is going to be the wait for them to build the rifle. Dealer said lead time is about 4 months. Anyway, this spring these Wyoming prairie dogs are going to be in big trouble....

Thanks all, Phasor

 

[6BR4U2]

HI,
I would check with Russ Haydens Shooters Supply he did have one in
stock a couple of weeks ago....just got back from the range this morning and all I have to say is if you like your 223's then when you get your 204 the 223's will stay in the closet a lot more!
mine however is rem 700 whip barrel...I feel even less recoil...than the 223 both minimal

av.vel. 4064 fps 32 GR vmax 24" barrel 27.5 grs h322.. almost half the MOA of drop at 300 400 500 and 600 yds...

good day

 

[Phasor]

Well......it's a done deal. I went to my dealer and ordered a Cooper Phoenix in 204 Ruger. I wanted to stay with my local dealer in case any problems arise, then they can take care of it. Now I will have to wait....so I guess that it is time to start scope shopping and gathering reloading components. I was hoping to have it for Xmas.....but it will be here in plenty of time for the Spring prairie dogs.

Thanks all for the great info...I will still have plenty of questions about load development,,,,etc. What type of bases and rings should I get for this rifle?

Thanks, Phasor

 

[Forum Boss]

Bases & Rings?

If you never plan to change scopes, I'd go with the Burris Signature dual dovetail. Simple, low profile, won't mark your scope.

If you plan to move the scope from rifle to rifle I'd get a Weaver style rail milled to match your receiver's profile. Then I'd mount the Burris Signature ZEE,Weaver) rings. Early next year Weaver promised two new heights for the 30mm version,medium and high, along with existing extra high). They already have different heights for 1" scope tubes.

Here are some 30mm Signature Zees on Richard Franklin's personal 6mm AI Varminter. Note the polymer inserts.

Photo: http://www.6mmbr.com/i/Products/Image001x620.jpg

 

[Phasor]

Thanks for the advice...I will certainly look into those bases and rings...Where would be a good place to find load data?

Phasor

 

[kory]

Why here of course:

http://www.6mmbr.com/20Caliber.html

Kory

 

[Phasor]

Doh!! :crazy:.....should have known......Thanks for the info....

Phasor

 

[4570sharpshooter]

I have just purchased the Cooper in 204, and I have just about finished breaking in the barrel. My only concern about the Phoenix it is quite a bit lighter than my other two Coopers.I am in the process of buying a better scope to fit on this little shooter. I will keep you informed of it's progress, of which I already know will be fantastic. 45/70sharpshooter

 

[Phasor]

4570sharpshooter....How much lighter is the Phoenix over the Montana Varminter? I went with the Phoenix because most of my prairie dog shooting will be from the prone position with the rifle on bags. I didn't want to scratch up the fine wood stock that Cooper uses. How is the accuracy with your 204?

Thanks, Phasor

 

[4570sharpshooter]

Phasor, I will try to weigh the two model 21's{with the same scopes} that I have in the morning when I can find my postal scale. I am still working up a load for the 204. Cooper stated that they fired the group with the gun,with 33gr.V-max bullets try to find 33gr.V-max bullets 45/70sharpshooter

 

[Phasor]

The Hornacy reloading manual lists a 33 grain V-max, however, I picked up a couple of boxes of Hornady factory ammo in 204 and they are labeled as being loaded with 32 grain V-Max bullets. I don't know if there are two bullets by Hornady that are only 1 grain difference or not.....Seems like one of them has to be a misprint..

Phasor

 

[kory]

4570sharpshooter, you can't get the HDY 33 grainers anymore, but the 32 gr are just as accurate and can be shot from the same load. Minor tweaking might be needed, if any.

When Hornady started making 20 cal bullets, they just made one type and it was the 33 grain. Then they dropped it and started making a 32 and 40 grain. I think they had problems with consistancy with the 33's.

Kory

 

[Phasor]

That makes sense...I knew someone here would probably have the answer. Well...while I am waiting on my Cooper to arrive...does anyone have any scope suggestions? I would appreciate any recommendations or experiences with different scopes. Most of my shots are going to be in the 400 to 500 yard range with this rifle. And the main target will be prairie dogs.

Thanks in advance, Phasor

 

[Forum Boss]

Don't know what your budget is, but two very nice scopes for this application are the Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20 and the Leupold LRT 6.5-20x50 with the new Varminter reticle:

Between the two, the Zeiss has more positive controls and seems a little brighter. The Leupold seems to have a bit more contrast,stronger blue wavelength filtration), and it is boostable by Premier Reticles if you ever want more power.

 

[Phasor]

Thanks....I will check out both scopes. I have a Leupold Vari-X III in 3.5 to 10 with 50mm objective end. It is a very nice scope so I am a bit familiar with Leupold. I will check out the Zeiss also. One of my friends recommened that I check out some of the Weavers.

Phasor

 

[Phasor]

Well....I viewed a Bushnell 4200 Elite in 6X24X40 with MilDot reticle at my local gunshop and that is what I have decided on...Very bright and clear optics....And I love the recticle.

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations,

Phasor