Cooper Model 21 .20VT vs CZ 527 .19 Badger

[Alford]

Great Site!

I would like to get either a Cooper .20VT or a CZ527 .19 Badger.

I've spoke with James Calhoon and Rob Behr at Cooper. They are both very helpful and I would be comfortable buying rifles from either of them. I talked with Don Lewis,writer for Varmint Hunting and Precision Shooting) and he has nothing but praise for the .19s. His wife shot a .188" 5 shot group with a .19 Badger. He says that it is the best varmint rifle.

The CZ 527 is around $500 less than the Cooper .20VT. I find the Montana Varminter more appealing to the eyes, but I'm more concerned with function.

I'm also considering having a custom rifle built in either caliber, if I can have it done at a reasonable cost. Perhaps a Remington 700 action with a lilja barrel or something.

What do you guys think?

 

[Buzzbee]

If I bought the CZ I will always wonder if I should've bought the better Cooper but if I buy the Cooper I will still be wondering if I should've just build a custom gun exactly as the way I want it ....... I hope you are not anything like me

 

[Alford]

Thanks,
This rifle will be for getting rid of those little ground squirrels that chirp.

 

[Alford]

How would a CZ 527 action compare with a Cooper 21 Action?

How about comparing the Calhoons Pac Nor barrel to the one used by cooper?

Hands down I like the Cooper stock better, but what about the actions and barrels?

 

[jwv2001]

By .20 VT, do you mean Vartarg? If so, then you don't want the M21 action but the M38. IMHO, there is no comparison and when you see the M38 action you will know why. Figure a Cooper is a custom rifle for 1/2 to 1/3 the price

 

[Alford]

Yes, .20 VarTarg.

What makes the Model 38 Action better? I see that it is shorter, and a different ejector setup?

M21: Plunger style ejector machined from solid bar. 7.75" Length
M38: Retractable tab ejector machined from solid bar. 6.6" Length