Greetings everyone. I sold my 455 a year or so ago when Christensen announced the Ranger but to date my LGS hasn’t seen one yet. So to that end I’m still in the market for a decent rimfire. I’m now looking at two very different rifles, the Voodoo Ravage and the Cooper Custom Classic. Mainly used for punching holes in paper and the occasional rabbit in the garden. I’d love either but am having a hard time deciding. So help me spend my money. What would you order today?
Need a new rimfire
- Thread starter PNWPilot
- Start date
Lol. I was almost expecting the “just get both, it’s only money” response.
You can't go wrong with either one. That's a good problem. > $2k budget will get you much more than "decent".
I've got plenty of 22lr in the cabinet. I only really get to go shooting a few times a year. This is more about getting something that is truly a joy to own and shoot. The Cooper with its nice wood is very tempting but then again the pure engineering and accuracy demonstrated by the Voodoo is amazing. I budgeted 4 to 5 grand for the rifle and optic so the Voodoo is easy, the Cooper would be tight and both isn't quite going to happen this year.
And at the risk of muddying the waters, have you thought about an Anschutz rifle? I have just 3 of them now, having sold a couple recently, but I know Forum members who have dozens of them!
Here's one: https://www.eurooptic.com/Anschutz-...ter-Monte-Carlo-18-1-2x28-22-LR-A1712AVS.aspx
Here's one: https://www.eurooptic.com/Anschutz-...ter-Monte-Carlo-18-1-2x28-22-LR-A1712AVS.aspx
Since .22 rimfire accuracy is pretty much dependent on finding a specific ammo lot and buying it by the cartons full, one has to be a compulsive optimist to consider a high-end rimfire rifle with the current state of affairs. I just am not seeing any improvement in ammo availability in the next few years.
Thanks, I've never held an Anschutz, just seen them from afar. The Ranger rifles I've seen people talking about online sure don't seem to measure up to the expectations.Also, welcome to the Forum, newbie!
I don't have a Voodoo but I do have a Vudoo.Lol. I'm not a wood stock person so I liked the option of getting a barreled action and putting it in a stock of my choice. I don't know anything about the customer service at Cooper but the folks at Vudoo are great if that makes any difference to you.
The main selling point of the Vudoo is its ability to fit into Rem 700/clone stocks and chassis, and to accommodate Rem 700/clone triggers. If you're looking for a smallbore to replicate your centerfire rifle, then it's the hot ticket. Just ask the tacticool gang that gently spews rude/lewd/crude advice on Hyper Snide.
Not sure that's what you're after.
Not sure that's what you're after.
Doh, thats what I get for being from the PNW. We have Voodoo Doughnuts down in Portland and thats just a quick flight down from PAE for me
I have no experience with Cooper rifles, but have built myself several high-end 22RF repeaters over the past 5yrs, from a Stiller 2500XR to a couple of CMP 40Xs converted to use the V-22 mags to three V-22 repeaters, to a RimX repeater. One of the V-22s I built was set up as a sporter, with a 22" Krieger #4 sptr contour bbl, in a Manners EH2 stock. It's no lightweight, at 9lbs with an Athlon Midas Tac 6-24x50 scope, but is much easier to carry than the other repeaters, which were all set up as competition rifles with heavier bbls & Manners PRS1T stocks, 34mm 4.5-29x56 scopes, and Harris bipods - they weigh in at 12.5-13lbs. The sporter will shoot pretty much right with the heavier comp rifles, as I expected, since they were all chambered with the same Eley EPS reamer. If I were doing it over again today, I'd go with a barreled action from Vudoo Gun Works, and order it with a 22" Specter bbl (if they'll go that long). Then I'd put it into a McMillan Game Scout or Game Warden stock with your choice of molded-in marble finish. If you're wanting to shoot off a front rest from the bench once in awhile, you should consider a stock with a wider forearm than the Game Scout, which is why I mentioned the Game Warden. Manners makes a EH1 that would work as well as the McMillans. If you don't care for fiberglass stocks, there are any number of wood stocks made for the M700SA that will fit the V-22 action just fine - no matter what stock you choose, just remember it's got to have a bottom inlet that works with whatever DBM you choose. I've used Jewell HVR & Trigger Tech Diamond triggers on the above mentioned rifles - both work really well on either the V-22 or RimX actions.
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
A bit of a tangent, but hold back $1000 and buy a nice pellet rifle! With the ammo and component situation I decided to buy one a couple of months ago and I'm having a blast with it. A nice feature is you can shoot it in the garage and in the yard too for quality trigger time. Had mine out to the range for the first time last week and it shot 1/4" groups at 25yd, and 1/2" at 50yd. The velocity consistency blows away a 22lr unless you can find the ammo unicorn. And 500 match pellets for $15 are readily available. Its the most fun I've had in a while, so I'm saving my 22 ammo for the future.
Kookie
Silver $$ Contributor
I would not recommend a Copper rimfire based on my personal experience. My $2,200+ Cooper JSR was a complete dog. Would only go bang maybe 1 out of 5 times and none of the fired of fail to fire cases would extract. Sighting In with scope at 50 yds with all elevation used up it was still 5 inches low. Had to send it back on my dime and 6 months later got it back with a note saying they replaced the receiver and barrel, and they were even nice enough to put a dent in my expensive stock. Sold it at a substantial loss and moved on. Those test targets they include with the rifle are a farce since it was impossible to fire 5 rounds from that gun without seeing the problems it had. Sorry for the rant but still not over that one.
If you want the nice wood then get a barreled action of your choice and have a custom stock made.
If you want the nice wood then get a barreled action of your choice and have a custom stock made.
A friend just picked up a Bergara B-14R Carbon. I am fairly impressed with the feel of it. We where shooting 90 yards prone off a front rest. Couldn't get to a 100 and still be on concrete and it was muddy. It was was shooting as good as my Sako FinnFire Varmint and I know it likes Lapua Midas which was what I was shooting. He only was Aguila he found at the shop he got the rifle. Most groups where MOA or better. I was impressed for first time out with it. Action has a 700 look and feel. Trigger was nice. Time will tell but initial impressions are positive. Tim
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