Saving up for a higher end rifle (like cooper), which caliber?

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Bigeclipse

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OK so if you were me what would you want both caliber and brand rifle for my needs. I hunt whitetails with a max range of 400 yards. A very rare chance at a black bear may happen and I stress the word "may". I like a handy rifle (lighter weight, 9lbs or less with scope would be desirable) and I do prefer lower recoil with flat shooting. I do a lot of tree stand hunting with shooting rails (those shots would be 200 yards and less) but we have some shooting blinds on fields that can stretch 300-400 yards. We cannot shoot prone in these blinds and I will likely not be shooting prone ever with this rifle so im thinking I would prefer a typical sporter style stock. So what caliber would be at the top of your list with this info and what rifle? As for rifle brand I have been eye balling cooper because they offer beautiful rifles and a 1/2MOA guarantee. As for caliber...ive shot 300 win mags and while I am ok with them I certainly don't like them. Even a 3006 in a lighter rifle feels a bit stout for my tastes these days. FYI, I do not care for brakes and would rather not have one so lets focus on a caliber which is less recoil than a 3006 with out a brake. I do reload, but prefer rounds which are somewhat available at the gun stores. So what are your thoughts? Thanks!
 
Based on everything you have said...a 270win or WSM would work fine, 6.5x 284, 6.5CM, 6.5 swede, 280 and AI etc.
 
I'm probably looking at a Kimber mountain ascent in 280AI with those criteria. Unless the fact that it's only a 1 MOA guarantee is off putting.
 
Maybe it's a backward-academic way to go about things, but I look at what bullet I want to shoot first, and then decide how much powder I need to push it.

Given your requirements I'd be looking for a 140-160gr bullet between 2850-3000fps.

For one limited to factory ammo, don't overlook the 270 Win, but for a reloader, 280 offers incremental gains. I'd suggest 280Rem/280RCBS/280AI. Personally love my 280Rem as a deer rifle.
 
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My wife and I are both fortunate to own Cooper Custom Classics in 250 Sav AI (wife's) and a 25-06 for yours truly. Both of these rifles are incredibly accurate and were very easy to work up loads for. We don't have bears here in NZ so I won't comment on suitable calibers other than to say that I have found both the above calibers to be excellent on the Red and Sika deer. As for accuracy the group in the photo (25-06) is actually 3 shots with 2 bullets going through the right hand hole as verified by my spotter. It measures 0.623" and was shot at 400m (437 y).
20190718_121324.jpg
 
Bigeclipse said:
OK so if you were me what would you want both caliber and brand rifle for my needs. I hunt whitetails with a max range of 400 yards. A very rare chance at a black bear may happen and I stress the word "may". I like a handy rifle (lighter weight, 9lbs or less with scope would be desirable) and I do prefer lower recoil with flat shooting. I do a lot of tree stand hunting with shooting rails (those shots would be 200 yards and less) but we have some shooting blinds on fields that can stretch 300-400 yards. We cannot shoot prone in these blinds and I will likely not be shooting prone ever with this rifle so im thinking I would prefer a typical sporter style stock. So what caliber would be at the top of your list with this info and what rifle? As for rifle brand I have been eye balling cooper because they offer beautiful rifles and a 1/2MOA guarantee. As for caliber...ive shot 300 win mags and while I am ok with them I certainly don't like them. Even a 3006 in a lighter rifle feels a bit stout for my tastes these days. FYI, I do not care for brakes and would rather not have one so lets focus on a caliber which is less recoil than a 3006 with out a brake. I do reload, but prefer rounds which are somewhat available at the gun stores. So what are your thoughts? Thanks!
Click to expand...
260 Rem or 25-06 are my votes.
 
Doesn't sound like you will be shooting bears. It won't take a big gun for deer out to 400 yds. Pick whichever you like best. I really like my 6.5x47 shooting 130 Berger hunting at 2950 fps. Low recoil and lays the deer down. Only problem is no readily available factory ammo. I'm actually building a 6 Dasher for deer out to 4-500 yds. Now that's going to be a low recoil gun.
 
I have 3 Cooper rifles and I really like them. One in particular is a Custom Classic in .243. I opted for a 24" fluted high polished stainless barrel on it with AAA+ walnut. This might not be the caliber for you. But they can be had in other short actions that would suit your needs and still be around 7 lbs. If the OP wants a nice rig, he need not look any further. I'll add that I had a conversation with a dealer a few months ago and he indicated to me that the nice wood rifles seem to have entered a "soft" market, which may come as no surprise to many here. Seems, (he said) no one really wants wood stocks anymore. That might mean that you can pick up a very clean one used at a great price.

If you do get a Cooper new, I would advise opting for the Timney or Jewel trigger upgrade if available. Cooper triggers are generally good but can be finicky to adjust and I've had a couple that vary a bit more than I would like.
 
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